There will be more construction activities all over. A good year for the building trade. I just hope that our leaders will come to their senses and understand that good architecture is good business… more so in public buildings. Have a fruitful year! — Architect Rene Armogenia, faculty, Foundation University Department of Architecture & Fine Arts
Hopefully 2014 will bring less lawsuits, and more of harmony. — Atty. Dirkie Palma, legal counsel, Palma and Pon-Palma Counsellors
In the legal field, I hope that the Supreme Court this 2014 will take resolute and definitive steps to expedite court proceedings, and unclog court dockets. I also look forward to the peaceful and speedy settlement of cases through the utilization of the various modes of alternative dispute resolution, which will prove beneficial to all parties concerned. — Atty. Dinah Tabada-Chu, legal counsel, EdLaw
Commercial retail business will have its ups and downs due to climate change. — Roy T. Cang, proprietor, Cangs Inc.
Significant changes in the education sector will challenge the resolve of both unions and the Administration. — Prof. Jan Antoni Credo, president, Silliman University Faculty Association
Based on how we performed last year, I’m confident that consumer spending will strengthen this 2014. As the economic activity in the City continues to grow with new brands and companies coming in, we see job growths, and consumer income increasing with it. I’m hopeful for a great and challenging year ahead. — Annamae Chua-Juan, vice president for Leasing & Marketing, Lee Plaza Group
More jobs in ICT (Information Communications Technology) and the tourism industries. — Javier R. Fortunato Jr., provincial director, Department of Trade & Industry
2014 will be a banner year for activations and direct-to-consumer marketing. Mixed martial arts (MMA) will be a great marketing platform. We are ready to harvest what we have planted these past two years. — Ed Dames, chairman & CEO, Direct-to-Consumer Promos Inc., Makati City
There’ll be more Filipinos pushing for what it takes to improve our nation’s environmental security. — Dr. Ben S. Malayang III, president, Silliman University
Jittery because of the Supreme Court decision on the PDAF, and its effects on our government’s leadership. But we should be more aggressive because of the upcoming 2015 Asean market liberalization. — Albert Tecson, proprietor, DermCorner
In 2014, we will see that the growing demand for healthy foods will continue to outpace supply. Among which are fertilized eggs and meat from organically-fed free-range chicken, pork pancreas from organically-fed pigs, beef liver, red hot pepper, and cardava bananas (saba). These will be industries that are worth investing in. — Gilbert Uymatiao, manager, Uymatiao Trading Corp.
Digital is going to be the game-changer for the marketing/advertising industry. Given the rampage of Internet-capable mobile devices or smartphones, people will be more social. This will pave the way for companies to create ambassadors, establish communities, strengthen their CRM (customer relations management), and build their brands. They will exploit this medium either positively or negatively. With the digital age in 2014, time will fly faster. — Alvin Roy “Dust” Gaudan, manager, Social Media Community, MRM McCann Worldgroup, Makati City
To remain relevant and sustainable, we will offer our clients timely and needed services at reasonable prices through the wise use of resources, a touch of innovation, and the cooperation of the stakeholders. — Michael Hojas, manager, Perpetual Help Credit Cooperative Inc.
I see 2014 as the year when all Negros Oriental local government units will prioritize, and be more receptive to climate change adaptation programs, to sink in the thought that climate change is here, and that we will have to prepare for the worst imaginable, while praying to God that we be spared from calamities. — Mayor Bentham dela Cruz, Amlan, Negros Oriental
