The multifaceted journey of Grace Bondad Nicholas

The Manila Times

The multifaceted journey of Grace Bondad Nicholas   Grace Bondad Nicholas embodies the spirit of innovation and resilience.  A civil engineer by profession, her journey began in the town of Calauan, Laguna, where she learned the value of hard work and precision from her father’s hardware store. This foundation has been instrumental in shaping her successful career in engineering.  Her mother, a dedicated elementary teacher, sparked Grace’s passion for writing, leading her to explore various entrepreneurial ventures—from cosmetics to face masks. Each experience has contributed to her growth, both personally and professionally.  In her quest to empower others, Grace founded Rising Tigers and Nation Builders, a magazine that features inspiring leaders who uplift and motivate. Through her work, she continues to inspire a new generation of changemakers.  Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe   Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net   Subscribe to Business Franchise Guru: https://www.youtube.com/@BusinessFranchiseGuru   Follow us:  Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook  Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram  Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter  DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion    Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital  Sign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newsletters  Check out our Podcasts:  Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify  Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts  Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic  Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer  Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcher Tune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein   #TheManilaTimes  #philippines #entrepreneur

Transcript

00:00The Business Mentor Talks is vlog by no other, Armando Butz Bartolome, in cooperation with

00:14the Manila Times.

00:15It aims to bring to life and recognize entrepreneurs who constantly strive to create a living for

00:21the community as well.

00:51Listen to the Business Mentor Talks with Butz Bartolome.

01:14Good afternoon.

01:15This is Butz Bartolome from the Business Mentor Talks.

01:18Alam mo mayron tayo isang may-interview, isang lady behind such a magnitude of business.

01:26Engineer siya, but talagang ini-engineer niya yung proseso ng negosyo.

01:31So without further ado, let me introduce to you Engineer Grace Pondad-Nicolas of the Rising

01:37Tiger.

01:38Grace, good afternoon.

01:39Yes, good afternoon.

01:40Kamusta na ang Rising Tiger?

01:42We're very, very happy.

01:44And of course, I'm happier now because I'm being interviewed by the franchise guru here

01:50in the Philippines again.

01:52Again, again.

01:53Alam mo maraming suking-suking ko na ito eh kasi gusto kong kumuha ng mga update, diba?

01:58So, ano na, paano nga talaga ikaw nagsimula para sa mga ating viewers ngayon sa Business

02:04Mentor Talks?

02:05So, are we talking about...

02:06About you.

02:07About me.

02:08As an engineer.

02:09Bakit nga pala engineer ka?

02:11Gusto nilang malaman, ang babae, engineer?

02:14So, basically, I grew up in a very business-minded parents.

02:22So, grade 6 pa lang ako, pinapupunta na ako ng parents ko dun sa tindahan nila.

02:28In the province, alam mo yung ang bahay mo nasa likod, tapos ang tindahan mo nasa harap.

02:33Tagalaguna kayo.

02:34Yes.

02:35Diba?

02:36Yes.

02:37O, diba?

02:39Lagunense.

02:40Lagunense.

02:41Lagunense, yan. Yan.

02:43So, ito yung hindi kami sanay gumising ng 7 o'clock.

02:47Sanay kami 5 in the morning.

02:50Yung tumitilaok pa ang manok, bisin ka na.

02:53Naunaan niyo pa bisin ang manok.

02:54Yes, yes.

02:55So, ganun ka sisipag ng parents ko.

02:59Yung parang kapag tulog ka pa ng 6 a.m., tamad ka na.

03:04Okay.

03:05I'm not kidding.

03:06Parang tamad ka na.

03:07And then, during that time, kala ko inutusan lang ako na I'm the eldest of 3 children, all girls.

03:14So, sabi ng tatay ko, kung anong kaya gawin ng lalaki, kaya gawin mo.

03:18Kasi walang choice.

03:20Kasi puro kami babae.

03:21And I'm the eldest.

03:22Maganda yung sinabi mo.

03:23Yes.

03:24Kung anong kaya ng lalaki, kaya ng babae.

03:25Kaya ng babae.

03:26Diba?

03:27Yan ang tandaan natin.

03:28Women empowerment.

03:29Yes, that's right.

03:30So, kami yung full support talaga ng parents on what we like to do.

03:35Wala akong na-receive na stop or disagreement with regards sa kaya namin gawin.

03:42So, during that time, hindi ako nakakamali.

03:45Like, grade 6, so elementary pa lang yan.

03:48Pinapupunta na ako ng tatay ko sa tindahan, hardware store.

03:52So, it's a construction company.

03:54So, that's why kahit na nakapikit ako, alam ko kung anong kailangang materiales sa paggawa ng bahay or building.

04:01So, inutusan ka, yan ba yung naging buo sa loob mo?

04:04Or medyo nag-struggle ng konti?

04:07Wala kahit isang struggle.

04:10Why?

04:11Ang nasa isip ko, ang mindset ko during that time, ay, natututo ko plus nakakapag-exercise ako.

04:17Kasi puwis na puwis ako.

04:19Oh.

04:20Ito yung hardware na walang aircon.

04:22Ito yung walang aircon.

04:23Ito yung mga may istante.

04:25Ito yung may istante.

04:27Ito yung may hollow blocks.

04:28We're manufacturing hollow blocks.

04:30Ito yung mayroong coco lumber.

04:32Kami yung naggagayit ng coco lumber.

04:34Kami yung nagbibilang ng mga bakal, ng mga semento.

04:37Wow.

04:38Sasabihin ng tatay ko.

04:39Man's world, ah?

04:40Yes. Ito yung sasabihin ng tatay ko.

04:41May dumating na isang truck, bilangin mo, ang semento.

04:44Ito yung 600 pieces to 1,000 pieces.

04:47Ako naman, bata ko, sige, bibilangin ko.

04:49Sumusunod lang ako.

04:51What's nice also kasi, lahat ng hinging ko, binibigay din.

04:57So, parang, I'd like to do it.

04:59Give and take.

05:00I'd like to do it at the same time.

05:02Kaya sabi ng iba, nasa kaminsan ako.

05:04Kasi nga, family business.

05:06Sabi, hindi ka ba nangungupit?

05:07Sabi ko, ba't ako nangungupit?

05:09Binibigay nila everything.

05:11Exactly.

05:12Yes. So, I'm very, very grateful.

05:14Doon nag-start.

05:15So, yung discipline mo na you're able to really choose.

05:19Wala kang chino-choose ng negosyo.

05:22Basta pinapasok mo, you're really put your heart and soul into it.

05:26You know what's nice na nakita ko sa sarili ko?

05:28I'm adaptable.

05:29Kaya if you're going to check all my posts, all the industries I'm in,

05:33I'm happy all the time.

05:35I work with Robert Laurel Yupango.

05:37It's a tourism company.

05:39As the COO.

05:40O, hindi ako ang boss doon.

05:41Siya ang boss.

05:43And then, nakapunta ako sa tag media and public relations.

05:47It's branding and consultancy.

05:50It's marketing.

05:52And then, nakapunta rin ako sa manufacturing of cosmetics.

05:56During pandemic, yan yung even alcohol.

05:59Binenta ko yan.

06:00Even face shield.

06:01Every day, nagwo-work ako.

06:04As in, I'm happy.

06:05Wala akong na-receive, na-ano sa katawan ko na I'm complaining.

06:09Saan kumukuha ng energy si Grace?

06:12I think, ano, nasanay na ako.

06:14Kasi nga, ang tate at nanay ko, ang sisipag.

06:17My mother, for 15 years, was a kindergarten teacher

06:21and very much loved ng mga students niya.

06:24Fifteen years.

06:26Ito yung o-order siya ng materials.

06:28Kasama ako.

06:29Kami yung bata na, mag-gigip siya to order the materials ng supplies.

06:34Kasama kami.

06:35Tatlo kami magkakapatid.

06:37After the school, hila-hila niya kami.

06:40So, nakita ko everything.

06:42O, wala rin ako narinig na struggle sa parents ko.

06:46Ang sabi ng tate ko, trabaho lang akong trabaho, bahala kayo diyan.

06:50Makatapos kayo ng pag-aaral, that's the goal.

06:54So, mapunta tayo dito sa Rising Tiger.

06:58Bano mo naman na nagkaroon ng pangalan?

07:04Paano niya naging pangalan ang Rising Tiger?

07:07Grace, paano nga ba?

07:09Okay, first thing, it's the year of the tiger.

07:12That's during the pandemic.

07:16So, I really love to write.

07:18I'm a writer under the Manila Times.

07:20Also, I'm a contributing writer.

07:22Ka-fellow writer natin. Siya writer, ako vlog.

07:26And don't forget po, sometimes in 2012,

07:30I worked as a consultant under Philippine Information Agency.

07:34So, I'm the regional media coordinator.

07:38So, in your bloodstream, you're able to express.

07:44May story din kasi yan.

07:46Since my mother was a kindergarten teacher, she loves to write.

07:50Siya rin yung palagi ko nakikita sa stage, hosting.

07:54Kasi nga diba, teacher?

07:56Every time sa school, even malayo ako sa kanya,

07:59nagsusulat ng love letter for me.

08:03Siguro doon ko nakita na ay, ang sarap pala magbasa.

08:06Ang sarap din magsulat.

08:07Correct.

08:08So, it's natural for me.

08:10Gusto ko talagang magsulat.

08:12So, paano nga na yung Rising Tiger?

08:14Ito, umabalik tayo.

08:15Kasi, alam mo, na-intriga ako talaga dito.

08:17Dahil ito yun, nakita ko yung pagmuumpisa nito.

08:19Pero, biglang dumadami na dumadami.

08:22Atsaka, yung mga personalities na iyong fine-feature ay hindi biro-biro.

08:27Yes, yes.

08:28Paano mo na-reach out ito mga tao?

08:31Sige, paano mo na-

08:33Madali ba magsimula ng ganitong negosyo na Rising Tiger Magazine?

08:37Palagi po yan na hindi madaling magsimula.

08:40Diba ang sabi nila?

08:41No pain, no gain.

08:42There's challenges.

08:43Hindi naman natin pwedeng sabihin na successful yan kaagad.

08:46Totoo.

08:47Palaging, teka muna, saan tayo kukuha ng printer?

08:50Tapos, anong pangalan?

08:52So, since 20, yun nga po yung pandemic, diba, year of the tiger?

08:57So, that's why may tiger.

08:58And then, napaka-ganda kasi yung palaging positive, Rising.

09:02Correct.

09:03So, we combined it.

09:04Ganda no, Rising Tiger.

09:07So, ito po ay mga emerging leaders.

09:09Kaya, Rising Tigers.

09:11But, don't forget po, may nakalagay na and nation builders.

09:15Correct.

09:16Rising Tigers and nation builders.

09:20Nation builders.

09:21So, it's a combination.

09:23So, ilan pang ilan na itong magazine na ito, na-publish ninyo?

09:31So, it's for this year, kasi it's bimonthly.

09:34And then, last year, it's only our second year this year.

09:38And then, last year, quarterly.

09:41Okay.

09:42So, nakakaroon ng overlaps din pag may gusto magpapublish.

09:45Kaya, kung makikita nyo po dun sa current issue, that's June to September.

09:50Pero, nakaroon tayo ng May.

09:52Oo.

09:53So, para hindi nagiging bimonthly, nakakaroon ng overlapping.

09:56So, for this year po, ang target natin ay bimonthly and we're doing that.

10:01And then, syempre, the main goal will be monthly.

10:04So, how do you identify all these people that you're going to interview?

10:09Paano mo nilay out sa isip mo, Grace?

10:13Actually, Pep, we're going to check also.

10:16Gusto natin ma-feature, talaga may inspiring stories.

10:19Correct.

10:20Katulad nyo.

10:21So, na-feature kayo.

10:22Oy, na-feature ako niyan, ha.

10:23Yes.

10:24Ako'y nagpapasalamat sa kanya.

10:26Gusto ko nga, di ba, ulitin nga natin.

10:28Correct.

10:29Kasi maraming mga bagong readers at the same time.

10:32Correct.

10:33Yes.

10:34So, pinipili po natin, mga first inspiring stories.

10:36Pangalwa, you must be really a leader.

10:39Ayun.

10:40Not just na meron kang following, but of course, you're handling a lot of people.

10:46Something like that.

10:47So, sinong-sinong mga personalities sa mga interview mo?

10:50Um, we're very happy.

10:52Mga kilalang tao, yan, yan.

10:54Sige.

10:55Yes.

10:56Kilalang-kilalang natin, ang Comilic Chairman, George Erwin M. Garcia.

11:00Oo, si Comilic Chairman, ha?

11:03Yes.

11:04Pagilawas, si BIR Commissioner, Jun Lumagi Jr.

11:08Correct.

11:09Okay.

11:10And then, the first woman president under AstraZeneca Philippines.

11:13Yes.

11:14Ayan, Lotis Ramin.

11:16Chooks to go president before, kasi kare-retire lang niya.

11:20Si Ronald Mascariñas.

11:23Paano mo na-approach to? Anong technique ni Grace?

11:26Di ba mahirap to reach out to these people?

11:29Actually, palating merong struggle pa rin yan.

11:32Correct.

11:33Para ba, hindi ko ba tinatanong, sino ka? Ganun ba yun?

11:36Honestly speaking, syempre. I'm sure they're researching.

11:40Correct.

11:41They're doing yung googling na tinatawag, then checking sino yung mga previews na naging featured leaders.

11:47But don't forget po, yung first featured leaders natin came from front row.

11:53Sa dami ng following din naman niya, si R.S. Francisco.

11:57At may ambasador ka raw na interview.

11:59Yes.

12:00Ang ambasador ng Malaysia.

12:03Malaysia, Indonesia.

12:05Siguro po kung they are 60 ambasador, siguro we had 40 already.

12:10So, ano na ngayon? Meron kang coffee table.

12:15Yes.

12:16Meron kang coffee table po.

12:17But don't forget po, it's my second coffee table book.

12:20Oh.

12:22Teka, saan mabibili yung mga coffee table mo?

12:24Online or somewhere?

12:26I know it's in National Bookstore. Yan, yan makikita nyo.

12:30So, saan nila mabibili yan? I'm sure a lot of people want to read that.

12:35But the magazine first is in National Bookstores nationwide.

12:39And you can read it also in Philippine Airlines, Mabuhay Lounges.

12:43Oo nga. Nakikita nyo na ba yun?

12:46Sa Philippine Airlines, sa aki mga lounges.

12:49Sabi ko ba, nakakulat ako kasi sabi ko, parang believe ako sa design mo,

12:54you are international format.

12:56Yes.

12:57Right? I mean, if you notice this, if I'm in a foreign country and I see this,

13:04I know it's a foreign look, right?

13:06Parte ba yan ang envisioning mo na I'm not going to produce a magazine that's cheapy looking?

13:12Hindi naman po yun yung pinaka-goal.

13:15Ang goal natin is to be at par with the existing leading magazines.

13:21Correct.

13:22We don't want to say that we're leading, kasi ang dami na rin namang nauna.

13:25At least naman, makakuha tayo ng 80% of the file.

13:28Kalidad. I mean, ito, hindi nyo naman pwedeng sabihin nyo,

13:33cheapy, cheapy. Ang ganda. Ang ganda ng layout.

13:36We did all the research with regards to the thickness of the magazine and also the size.

13:43Alright.

13:44So, I'm happy that you have a second generation.

13:49Kwento mo sa akin yung second generation na ngayon ay tinatransfer mo technology.

13:55Your daughter.

13:56Yes, it's Andrea. She's my eldest.

13:59But actually, there's no struggle naman pagdating sa kanya.

14:02She loves what she's doing.

14:04Correct.

14:06So, final thought, Grace.

14:08Do sa mga mothers or probably like you, starting up,

14:13ano yung mga tatlong takeaways that you can share?

14:16As a mother.

14:17As a mother, and as an entrepreneur, as a wife, di ba?

14:22Kasi kayang women, believe ako sa inyo, talagang saludo ako sa inyo,

14:26kasi you can be a mother, you can be the wife, you can be an entrepreneur.

14:30How do you balance this?

14:32I keep on telling to everyone, to my daughter, to my family,

14:37that you need to make an impact.

14:39That's first thing.

14:40It's not about us anymore. It's for the next generation.

14:44Alam naman natin yun, di ba?

14:46So, I told them, it's not about your parents,

14:49but it's about you doing the best that you can do,

14:53and not only for yourself, but for the nation.

14:56Kala, yun yung first.

14:58Then second, with the family, ini-involve ko sila.

15:01So, the husband is the chairman, and then I'm the one doing the operation,

15:06and then Andrea is the CMO, and my twin daughters.

15:10Oh, may twin.

15:11They're contributing also into digital.

15:14Oh, okay.

15:15So, ayan, mga kaibigan, I'm sure you really want to see the difference.

15:20Try to get the Rising Tigers at Nation Builders.

15:25So, this is the magazine.

15:27You know the founder, you know her wisdom,

15:29and really I'm so happy to see Grace really flourishing.

15:35Blooming. Parabang forever yung, no?

15:37Thank you, thank you.

15:39Always 21.

15:40Always 21. Yeah, right.

15:43In the mind.

15:45So, again, maraming salamat, Grace, for, again, gracing this moment.

15:50It's my pleasure.

15:51Really, I'm happy the progress of the Rising Tigers and Nation Builders.

15:58And she's also the president of PCCI Los Baños.

16:03So, yan po, and dami-dami niyang pinagkakaabalahan.

16:08Parabang, how many hours do you really work?

16:12Yes.

16:13Iyan oras ba yan?

16:15That's the challenge also, kasi it's online now.

16:18So, as much as possible, if I can do it 24-7, I'll do it.

16:22Pero kailangan natin magpahinga.

16:23Health is wealth, right?

16:25Yes.

16:26Okay, Grace, maraming salamat.

16:28Thank you very much.

16:29And again, sa ating mga viewers, learn from this.

16:32And again, till next time, ito po sa Butch Bertolome ng Business Mentor Talks.

16:37Thank you. Bye-bye.

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