JEDDAH, 11 November — A seminar on baking will open on Friday at the Tropicana Restaurant along Jeddah’s Tahlia street.
Organized by the Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah (BBSJ), the two-Friday “Kabuhayan Program Seminar” is open to members of the group and other Bicolanos who are interested.
Allan Tone and Manny Pujado, two experienced bakers, will show attendees how to bake pandesal, ensaymada, Spanish bread, pandecoco, and other Filipino bread, said the group composed of Bicolanos.
Participants will learn about the theories on baking and the essential equipment, the preparation and the baking process.
They will also be given hands-on experience in baking an assortment of bread that may be served as snacks.
And that is just half of the seminar. BBSJ President Evelyn Santos said participants will be taught the business side of bakery, including the computation of cost of production such as ingredients and equipment.
A representative from PICPA, or Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants, will lecture on the intricacies of doing business, including the preparation of a feasibility study and registering the business.
There will also be a presentation by a representative of Philippine National Bank about assistance for business loans.
“Seminars on a small-scale business opportunities, such as putting up a bakery or a bakeshop, that require a very small capitalization are what OFWs need in order for them to prepare to go home,” said Ms. Santos, a former president of the Jeddah chapter of PICPA.
A joint effort of PNB, PICPA, and BBSJ, the livelihood seminar is free of charge, except for a minimal fee of SR35 to cover the lunch and some expenses. Certificates will be issued at the conclusion of the seminar.
One of the most active Filipino community organizations in the Kingdom, the BBSJ also has a scholarship program funded by its annual “Miss Penafrancia 2002” project.
Application for a two-year computer course under this scholarship program is open until Jan. 31.
For more details, interested parties may contact Erlinda Revilla at 697-5474; Yolanda Villegas at 677-1460; Evelyn Santos as 630-3333 ext. 113 (Saturday – Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or 698-4081; or Cely Arceo at 683-6124.
