Page 42 - 2017 KA'AKBAY January-June

42 January to June
2017

Philippine Consul General Eyes Supporting Filipino Small Businesses and Start-ups in Meeting with
FilAm Head of New York Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

With the aim of further invigorating business relations with
New York as well as to find ways to support Filipino and Filipino-
American small businesses and start-ups, Consul General Theresa
Dizon-de Vega met with New York EDC President and CEO Maria
Torres-Springer at the EDC Headquarters in New York City.

Consul General de Vega called on Ms. Torres-Springer as
part of efforts to establish stronger linkages with New York
Government offices and to convey the different initiatives of the
Consulate for the Filipino-American Community.

EDC President Torres-Springer is among the high-profile

Filipino-American appointees of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Consul General Theresa Dizon-de Vega confers with NYC She is the first female head of the EDC and has degrees from Yale
EDC President and CEO Maria Torres-Spring and Harvard Universities.

Consul General de Vega noted the increased interest in

entrepreneurship among Filipinos and Filipino-Americans, particularly in the culinary and food industry in New York, New

Jersey and Pennsylvania. She likewise mentioned the need to encourage more Filipinos to look at the technology and

knowledge-based industry such as Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) as possible entry points for building

businesses in New York.

Consul General de Vega said however, that the Consulate would like to actively partner with New York agencies like
the EDC in ensuring that Filipino-American entrepreneurs are equipped with updated information on doing business in New
York as well as to utilize available resources to launch or grow their businesses.

Ms. Torres-Springer relayed that the EDC has the mandate to assist and guide entrepreneurs and businesses,
including small businesses and economically empowering underserved sectors to encourage greater economic activity. She
said that their services and support cuts across industries and involves assisting in permits, training, negotiating the
business system, and securing financing.

The Consulate General continues to undertake collaboration and engagement with the New York City Government
to identify local resources for micro, small and medium enterprises, including Filipino-American businesses as well as to
encourage greater activity through inbound and outbound Philippine trade and investment missions.

Tanduay Rum Launches Historic Deal with the Brooklyn Nets and Barclays Center

In a major overseas deal, Tanduay Distillers, Inc. launched on March 12,
2017 at the 40/40 Club of Barclays Center a landmark partnership with the Barclays
Center, one of the major multi-event arenas in the US and NBA’s Brooklyn Nets Team.

The partnership designates Tanduay Rum as the official rum of Barclays
Center and the Brooklyn Nets. Tanduay Rum will likewise be the presenting sponsor
of the popular 40/40 Club and Restaurant located in Barclays Center.

In addition, the deal also provides that Tanduay will be the Barclay Center’s
associate sponsor for its Brooklyn Show platform and will be visible in strategic areas
of the arena. The new partnership will also have Asian-inspired cocktails mixed with
Tanduay Rum and prepared by New York’s top mixologists in the arena’s bars.

During the March 12 launch, Tanduay Rum was prominently presented in
various commercial breaks and sponsorship imaging and signage at Barclays Center.
A Tanduay commercial was likewise aired during the Brookly Nets versus New York
Knicks game.

Outbreak Media Group led by Mr. Michael Ang (2nd The official post-game launch held at the 40/40 Club now renamed the 40/40
from right) and Consul General Theresa Dizon-De
Vega (extreme left) at the launch of the Tanduay Club Presented by Tanduay Rum was attended by marketing, culinary, business,
Rum-Barclays Center and Brooklyn Nets partner-
ship at the 40/40 Club, New York City entertainment, and sports personalities. Also in attendance were officials of the

Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, National Basketball Association, Filipino-American

Community members, tastemakers, and influence. (Continue to page 43)