Did you know that there are many types of intelligence?  Not all intelligence are measured in school by high grades, certificates, and medals around a child's neck. The theory of multiple intelligences was developed in 1983 by Dr. Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University. Often times, what's measured or given more focus or attention in school are linguistic (word smart) and logical-mathematical (number-reasoning).  But other intelligence types take a backseat and are often read as underachievement or attention deficit disorder in some kids who possess these. I wish more schools, organizations or institutions take equal focus on other types which make kids the next architects, artists, musicians, designers, dancers, and even entrepreneurs.

A recent event I was a proud media partner of, BIZ KIDS 2019, was held in Commercenter Alabang.  It's an awesome event for the next-generation entrepreneurs who got their real-world business experience last May 18-19!  In the first-of-its-kind event in the South, the participating youngsters brought and sold various self-made products to a new and bigger customer base — which even included Filipino rock music icon Bamboo, who dropped by at the event!

For its second year, BIZ KIDS provided free expo space for a total of 14 businesses — 2  more than 2018 — run by kids with a strong entrepreneurial flair over the two-day fair. This allowed the budding young entrepreneurs to focus their energy and brainpower on making their products and thinking of creative ways to sell.
At the end of the weekend event, the standout kiddie ventures were honored at the BIZ KIDS Awards. Lois Faith Berino bagged the Best Booth Design Award for her biz, Lois Faith Gourmet Recipes, which offered pasti-mallows, crispy mushrooms, and yema spread.
Little tycoons Hidde and Rinke Bartlema and Lucius Manalac, the trio behind homemade skincare brand Flubber Blubber Soaps and Scrubs, received the Most Innovative Biz Award.
The biggest-selling businesses were also recognized with the Sales Genius Award, which was given in four categories: Desserts, Snacks, Handicrafts, and Arts. Beatrice Veloso’s Grand Slam Cookies, Zac and Zion Jimenez’s Yummy Bites, Natalie Sumagpao’s CLAYThings, and Christine Yenko’s Sandy’s Little Nook topped each segment, respectively.
A new award was added to the original lineup: theAsianparent Philippines Biz Kid 2019 Award, which was given to the venture whose photo posted on The Asian Parent Mobile App garnered the most number of likes. Crisps Gourmet Snacks, helmed by Aria Gacutan, Anree Ignacio, and Almond Wong, bagged the honor, which was awarded by Commercenter Alabang’s Bianca Pabello together with Richelle Morana, Community Manager of The Asian Parent Philippines.
“The event was a very good opportunity for the kids to experience what it’s like to run a business,” shares Maria Flor Bueno, mother of kiddie entrepreneur Chelsea Bueno of DMC Sweet Treats. “We’re grateful for a chance to be part of this.”

Before last weekend’s expo, BIZ KIDS also hosted the future tycoons on a two-day workshop that introduced them not only to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship but also to the basics of stock market investing — either as a means to raise capital or an alternative venture.

“BIZ KIDS is about empowering kids with real-world experience and with basic business and finance concepts that will help them realize their potential,” notes Tagle-Dinglasan. “We’re thankful to everyone who helped us do that by dropping by last weekend to support the participating kiddie ventures. We hope to see everyone again next year!”

BIZ KIDS 2019 is presented by Commercenter Alabang, and is supported by media partners theAsianparent Philippines, Inquirer.net, InqPOP, Manila for Kids, CNN Philippines, Pop Life TV, Yuneoh.com, ClickTheCity.com, WhatsHappening.PH, WazzupPilipinas.com, Mom Center, Mommy Practicality and Mommy Levy.