MANILA, Philippines — Optical Media Board Chairman and CEO Ronnie Ricketts is making a great headway in the anti-film piracy campaign not because he is conducting more raids than his predecessors. He is also doing it with compassion and concern for the livelihood and welfare of those affected by such raids.

The last anti-film piracy campaign held in Manila – in coordination with Mayor Fred Lim – practically eliminated the sales of “pirated” video movies in Manila, particularly in the Santa Cruz and Quiapo.

“We do not just raid and raid,” the OMB chief said. “We talk to the people concerned – the subjects of the raids – and explain to them that the business is illegal, and we are mandated to eliminate piracy.”

“Before we conduct the raid – with deputized police detachment – we talk to those in the illegal business and give them a deadline to dispose all their inventories.” Ricketts said. “We do not just dispossess them because they also had their own investments.”

“After the raid, we again talk to them and plan together what trades they can engage in,” Ricketts added.

As such, the Manila campaign became successful.

“We always ask the coordination of the local government chief executives. And together, we plan the necessary measures which have livelihood components,” Ricketts explained. “In Makati City for instance, we will put up at the Makati Cinema Square as continuing trade exhibit of Muslim products. The same approach is now also being done at the Harrison Plaza in Manila. We might even revive the two closed movie houses there.”

Another thrust of the anti-film piracy campaign is education – campus tour – explaining to the students the adverse effects in the economy of the illegal trade.

“Unless the public stops patronizing the illegal trade, we will never be able to eliminate completely film piracy in the Philippines,” Ricketts stressed.

As a postscript, Ronnie is a strong anti-smoking advocate. “I have never smoke in my life. Nor do I drink and gamble!”

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Pacquiao named anti-poverty ambassador

Just like its mission of knocking poverty out, the Unlimited Network of Opportunities International Corp. (UNO) is fully convinced that their anti-poverty ambassador and ring icon, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, will win his coming fight with Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Nov. 12 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas City.

This marketing company has proven time and again that hard work, persistence and a great business system can change the lives of many Filipinos all over the country. UNO President, William Barbo, CFO Oliver Chua and Vice-President Herbie Chua are doing their best everyday to inspire thousands of members and distributors to work harder and wiser, just like Pacquiao does. “Manny Pacquiao is the symbol of hard working Filipinos,” added Barbo.

Pacquiao’s involvement in UNO is not only as the company’s endorser and anti-poverty ambassador but also as a member/distributor of health-enhancing, natural products under the brand 1st Health.

For more information, visit www.uno-corp.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 11, go to Kuya Daniel Razon, Richard and Ricardo Cepeda, Dr. Miles dela Rosa, Pat Cabiling, Baby Aguilar, Bobbit Vidanes, Dianne Eugenio, Jan Carlo Tobias, Maria Deeliza Paula Gaerlan, Robert Johnson, Terry Lim, Ed Santillan, Pilar Gozum who turns 83, Erlinda Romey, Jason Francisco and MB’s Ronald Jeffrey S. Lim and Myra Liezl Abando... Happy wedding anniversary to Oscar and Bootsie Violago and former Amb. Roy and Minnie Seneres...