University of Cebu

Innovation and creativity were the guiding principles of 17 Commerce students of the University of Cebu - Banilad campus in coming up with their award-winning product ? Bakasi (sea eel) in corn oil.
"We went through the stages of trial and error to come up with this product. We have to make do with the available resources," said team leader Kristan Olis.
The third and fourth year students took Feasibility Study 1 from June to October 2007 under Prof. Christopher Biore where they were expected to come up with a feasible business plan and saleable product by the end of the semester.
The group also took Feasibility study 2 starting November 2007.
After almost six months, the students came up with a product which they entered in the Pasigarbu sa Dakbayan sa Sugbo contest, organized by the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Provincial Office (DTI-CPO).
The product won Best in Product Design besting 21 other entries from different schools in Cebu. The UC Namay, another UC-Banilad endeavor, also won Best in Business Plan.
DTI-CPO programmanagement division chief Elias Tecson said the judges, which include businessmen Bunny Pages and Kenneth Kokseng, were impressed by the students’ products.
Pasigarbo sa Dakbayan sa Sugbo was held simultaneously with the Cebu Otop Fair last Nov. 23 to 25 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall.
PROJECT
"We took the class at the same time DTI announced they are opening a contest showcasing business plans and product designs made by the students," Olis said.
This prompted Biore to look into the product development of Cordova’s bakasi, which is commonly cooked as tinola (soup-based dish).
"There must be a product we can call our own so why not put bakasi in jars?" Biore said.
Team member Rafaela Seguis said we were first hesitant with the idea noting that we have to start from scratch.
"Sir challenged us, saying that if we want to graduate with a Commerce degree, we must prove that we are worth it," she said.
"We also realized we can give the people of Cordova a source of livelihood with this project especially those living in Barangay Buagsong where most of the people catch bakasi," said Princess Astrologo.
To make the project feasible, students invested almost P30,000?each of them contributing P1,500.
They said financial difficulties became a prime consideration. Apart from this, Astrologo said they also encountered different conflicts before reaching the "right mixture."
"We worked on two unsuccessful prototypes. On the third try, we came up with the proper method," she said.
She said to save cost, they coordinated with the Hotel and Restaurant Management department so that they could use its kitchen for free.
ANALYSIS
On the last week of September, they submitted the product to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for content analysis. DOST told them results will be made available after a month.
"It was a frightening one month for us. We don’t know if the product will be approved. We were not even thinking about the contest, but of passing the subject. A lot were at stake," Olis said.
A week before the All Soul’s Day, Biore received a call from DOST announcing that the product was safe and edible. Packaging followed next where the nutritional facts and expiry date of the product were printed.
The students produced 80 jars of "bakasi in corn oil," each jar weighing 220 grams. The product has three flavors?hot & spicy, sweet & sour, and garlic & vinegar.
Asked about their plans after the trade fair, Olis said: "We already talked to Mayor (Adelino) Sitoy and he was open to coordinate with us so that they can adopt the product, and we will continue to accept orders."
Olis said the values of patience and cooperation are needed in coming up with a good product.
"Any business venture is a risk. We chose to take the risk and made it," Olis said.