What To Do When Sailing For The Very First Time

Our fishing boat, IJ, sailed off for the very first time a couple of days after the New Year. The operator, Atan, actually wanted to sail right away after having the boat blessed and dedicated to the Lord. However, I was not able to give them the starting capital because our fund depository bank was closed during the Christmas day. Also, most of the fishing supplies stores were closed and they were unable to buy all the things they needed for their first trip.

Tuna fishing boat sailing off to Indonesia.

Ramil explained to me how things would go during the very first trip of the tuna fishing boat into the Indonesian waters. First, it should fish for tuna on their way to the Indonesian port. Once it docks at Betung, Indonesia, it must secure a "pas kecil" which means "a small entry pass" in English. This pass is very important for the fishing boat to be able to dock at Indonesia anytime it needs to.

The BEST Business Partner For Any Kind Of Business

At last, the long wait was over...

That's me standing on one of the tuna fishing boat's palatik. 

Ramil hurriedly entered my office when he saw that I already arrived for work to inform me that IJ fishing boat was already set. By the way, it was called "IJ" taken from the initials of my name and that's I for Ivan and J for Jude.

Two Boats Are Better Than One

For three consecutive months the JWDR Fishing boat, the boat where I invested my 50k, suffered major losses due to successive bad catch.

 A depressed businessman. Photo Credits

In the first month, the boat docked at Indonesia to comply with the quarterly docking requirement of their fisheries and marine bureau. They were only able to catch few tuna on their way there. The sales that it brought in was only enough to pay for the corresponding dues. Adding to that, the Indonesian Rupiah has a lower value than a Philippine peso. If I'm not mistaken, the equivalent of 1 Philippines peso was 225 Indonesian Rupiah at that time.

Rolling The Boat Ashore

The boat construction concluded after 4 months...

Usop hammering some nails at the rear part of the boat.

Usop, our boat builder, once again impressed us with another masterpiece.

But, it still isn't totally complete. Usop's part was only to make the structure and to put all the wooden pieces together. It still lacked the engine, final coating of marine paint, ropes, and other peripheral equipment. So, it has to be transferred to Ladol, Alabel for the finishing touches.

Of course, we can't travel the boat by land and, since it cannot float by itself this time, it needs to pulled by another boat. But before that, our newly constructed boat first needs to be pushed on the shoreline.

What Kind of Plywood Works Best For A Boat

Few days later, Ramil and I searched for the electric chainsaw from hardware and electrical supplies stores in Gensan. We inquired from a lot of stores to compare the prices and we ended up buying one from ECCO Hardware in Pioneer Avenue who offered the lowest price. The last price of their 14-inch Makita Electric Chainsaw was 22k pesos.

14-inch Makita Electric Chainsaw

A couple of days after, Ramil and I delivered the electric chainsaw as requested by our boat builder, Usop. At this time, Usop also informed us that he will be needing the marine plywoods to be used in the icebox and sidings of the boat. We went straight to the neighboring town, Kiamba, to look for the 3/8-inch Santa Clara Marine Plywood. Unfortunately, it was out of stock in all the construction supply stores there. The demand for this kind of marine plywood was very high and boat builders won't use other brands aside from the Santa Clara.

First Visit To The Boatyard

It was not until mid-August that I was able to visit our boatyard in Barangay Lumatil, Maasim, Sarangani Province. Ramil and I drove off very early in the morning with our motorbikes. From our hometown, Polomolok, it took us almost one hour and thirty minutes to arrive at the area.

Motor ride. Photo Credits

From the national highway, we took a turn into a narrow and slippery path leading towards the shore. I saw very tall coconut trees in the area and a lot of goats running around. At a distance, there were small nipa huts that seemed to camouflage with the beauty of nature. We went straight ahead and I just followed Ramil wherever he went.

One Man's Junk Is Another Man's Treasure

Have you seen a bote bakal collector?

Bote Bakal Collector In The Philippines.

For sure, if you live in the Philippines, you often see a lot of them on the streets riding on their pedicab while shouting the words "BOTE(bottle)" and "Bakal(Steel)" over and over. These guys collect recyclable garbage from households like empty bottles, cartons, newspapers, plastic wares, nails, electrical wires, and steel of any form. Right after they've collected sufficient quantity, they deliver it to junk-shops who, in turn, pay them according to the value of the garbage they brought in.

When I was a kid, I've had a lot of friends who worked as bote bakal collectors during summer time for fun. Seeing from the look of their faces, I can say that they had a great time doing it and not even bothering the heat of the sun. Adding to that, they did not only enjoy biking around the town but also made some money out of it at the same time. I even remembered one of my friends treating us with snacks after being paid by the junk-shop owner with 200 pesos (way back then, 200 pesos was already a big amount) when he brought 5 kilos of electrical wires. Later did I know that it was because of the copper found inside the wires.

Get Your Engines Ready

Instead of just two weeks, the hardwood logs arrived one month and two weeks after it was ordered by Ramil. The delay became a blessing in disguise because it gave me enough time to look for the cash needed for the boat building project after Jhoven backed out.

During this time, Ramil and I went to different surplus engine shops to look for an engine that's suitable for our boat. We opted to look for it in surplus shops because brand new engines are unavailable in our area and it's very expensive. Besides, these surplus engines are still in good condition.

Surplus 4DR5 Engine.

How I Raised Money - If There's A Will, There's A Way

Based on Ramil's records, it will take around 2 to 3 months for a boat to be completely built from scratch.

And within that span of time, I needed to raise half of its cost which was estimated to be around 180k pesos.

Piggy Bank Savings. Photo Credits

Summing up all the money from my different bank accounts, I only have 135k pesos and a part of it was already used to pay for the down-payment of the hardwood logs. Thus, I still need 45k pesos more.

I knew that I could not depend on my salary to raise this amount in a very short period. Also, my salary is not that big that I can just use a portion of it without considering a lot of things. Even though I was still living with my parents, I still need money for my basic needs like food, clothing, transportation, and some other necessary things. That leaves me with just a few thousand savings each month.

Never Back Down

Two weeks later, the three of us convened again....

The male casts of 90s tv show "Friends'. Photo Credits

I was hoping to hear some good news about the hardwood logs that was ordered by Ramil.
But when I asked Ramil about its status, he informed us that the loggers were having a hard time transporting down the logs from the mountains due to unfavorable weather conditions.
That was kinda disappointing to hear because it would certainly add more delay to the start of the boat construction.
But, I also understood that those things were beyond our control and we can't blame anyone about it.

We Can Build This Dream Together

Then it was decided...

Paper boat. Photo Credits

That we will build another boat...
Ramil, Johven, and I will be the owners of this boat.
Based on our estimates, the cost of building one boat is 360k Pesos.
So, each of us needs to chip in 120k Pesos.

Is There Really A Truth Behind Every Joke?

The next day...

A typical Filipino lunch. Photo Credits

After I finished taking my delicious 20 pesos lunch, I immediately went to our MIS technical office to share with Ramil about what Jeffrey did to his fishing boats...

I started our conversation saying, "Mil, I have something to share with you about fishing...",
"Oh, really? What is it then?", said Ramil.

You Don't Want To Be Left Behind, Don't You?

One more cup of coffee. Photo Credits

One day, me and my friends from my previous employer agreed to meet up at a local coffee shop. It has been quite a while that we haven't seen each other. I felt very happy knowing that my friends didn't forget me although I already transferred to another company. Big buddy Arze and lover boy Jeffrey was there and also our dear friend Dexter.

I was the last one to arrive there and, when I did, I immediately asked each of these guys about what's going on with their lives. Jeffrey and Dexter recently broke up with their girlfriends while Arze is still courting her longtime crush. Aside from their unpredictable love life, I also learned about the new developments in the department where I was previously a part of. While sharing words with them, I recalled the good memories we've had like playing table tennis during coffee breaks and our unplanned escapades.

Bad Times Don't Last Forever

Pouring rain. Photo Credits

Are you familiar with the saying "when it rains, it pours"?
It basically means that when things go wrong, a lot of things go wrong at the same time.
Something like you got fired, your girlfriend broke up you, and you lost your wallet, all in the same week.
You'd feel very heavy as if you are carrying the whole world on your back.
And that's exactly what I felt when our fishing boat docked for three consecutive times without a positive income.

Be Prepared For Repairs

I just came home from an honest day's work and when I was getting off of my motorcycle I felt something vibrate on my left thigh. I knew that it was a message received by my mobile phone and so I grabbed it out of my pocket to check who it was. It was a text message from Ramil informing me that our boat docked earlier in the morning an that it had a good catch.

A guy reading a text message. Photo Credits

"At last! After a few weeks of break-even, I'll finally receive something again.", I said to myself.

A bad catch causes a head scratch

I already got used to receiving small passive income out of my investment in the fishing business for quite some time. Not very big but still better than not having one. Receiving a couple of thousands twice a month was good enough for me. Besides, I am just sitting here and just waiting for the boat to dock - that's why I called it passive income.

A bunch Philippine coins. Photo Credits

But one day, Ramil came in at our office scratching his head...
At that moment I already knew that something bad happened...

Unforgettable experience: First Investment Catch

Two weeks later...

Just like any ordinary day, I came to the office earlier than most of my co-employees. The lights were still off when I came in. If we were given rankings, I will surely be included in the top ten earliest birds. But still, Ramil arrives in the office earlier than me everyday and we both live in the town of polomolok.

After fixing my hair and taking my vitamins at the comfort room, I went back to my desk and fixed my things getting ready to start another day of work. At a distance, I saw Ramil filling his glass of water from the dispenser. When Ramil saw me, he hurriedly went back to his office as if he left something very important.

Working with laptop. Photo Credits

Few minutes later, as I was reading the news over the Internet, I heard the bio-metric fingerprint access on our door beep. When I took a look of who it was, I saw Ramil. And he was wearing a very big smile.

Start Investing: As You Sow, So Shall You Reap

And so I came to a decision to invest on the starting capital of the fishing boat...

Planting Seeds. Photo Credits

WHY?

First, it isn't too expensive for a beginner like me. One fishing boat costs around Php 300,000.00 and I can't afford to raise that amount at that time whereas, for the starting capital, you only need invest Php 50,000.00 to Php 70,000.00. Second, the risk involved if you are a starting capital financier is somewhat lower. Everytime the boat docks, you automatically get 5% from the gross sales. And third, it's safer because if the boat's catch isn't enough to recover the starting expenses, the remaining amount is carried over the succeeding trips until such time that is recovered...

Start Investing On The Starting Capital

So I asked Ramil what a starting capital means in the fishing business...

Here's what I found out...

Starting capital. Photo credits

Just like in any business, for it to start, you need some money to get it off the ground - a starting capital. This capital is also referred to as the seed money and, in a typical brick and mortar business, this is used to pay rent for office space, permits, furniture, equipment, and professional fees of your employees.

To See Is To Believe

Are you the skeptical type of a  person?

Skeptical guy. Photo Credits

Well, I am especially when it comes to money matters. I guess it's just very hard to believe at something immediately. I've had several experiences wherein I was lured to invest at something that promised immediate and big returns. Of course, who wouldn't want such a thing? But, because I didn't know the business venture that I was in, it didn't work for me. That's why every time I encounter people talking about these schemes, I still find it hard to believe although I know that some of them became successful at it.

Hot Deal: To Invest or Not To Invest

One day, I was doing some computer-related stuff and I can't seem to find my external CD-ROM. For those who doesn't know what a CD-ROM is, it is actually the part of your computer where you put your CDs into. So, my last resort was to go to our technical office and borrow from the guys over there. I was pretty sure they have plenty of it.

When I entered the MIS technical office, Johven and Jhames weren't there. It was then that I remembered that the two went out of town. And again, it was only Ramil that was left in their office. Ramil has grown tired of going to our branches every now and then for more than 5 years and so he assigned his subordinates to handle branch servicing tasks.

Fisherman Calling. Photo Credits

What Will You Do With Your Christmas Bonus

Christmas Balls. Photo Credits

And then the "BER" season came...
For us Filipinos, it is the time when we start putting Christmas decorations in our houses.
It also the time when we start counting how many days before the 25th of December.
You can hear Christmas songs being played in almost every corner and every street.
Oh, how i just love to hear those songs that bring back sweet childhood memories...

Success Secrets - Winners Never Quit

By now, it already seemed very normal for me to see Ramil giving his partners the fruits of their investment. And when that happens, the free lunch of goat specialty recipes follows...

But one day, Ramil came in our office with no traces of joy in his face and like something bad happened. And I was correct with what I thought! Their fishing boat docked but the catch wasn't good. Ramil told Wilbert that their fishing boat was able to catch only very few tuna and its sales were not enough to cover the expenses incurred during the trip...

A depressed man. Photo Credits

The Taste Of Realization

Two weeks later..

Ramil came in again at our office and asked me the same question,
"Did you bring your lunch with you or you'll be eating outside for lunch?"
"Why?...Are you gonna treat us again?", I jokingly asked.
"Of course!", he answered proudly.

And before I could ask him a question about how much money did the catch brought this time, I saw him going toward Wilbert's table and handing over him cash. Seeing that, I concluded to myself that the catch of their tuna fishing boat must have been good.

Giving Money. Photo Credits

How Does A Good Catch Taste Like

Do you eat goat's meat?

 Goat Caldereta. Photo Credits

Before, I don't like the taste of the goat's meat.
The first time I tasted it was when I was still 10 years old at our eatery.
I noticed that it has a unique smell compared to pork or beef.
However, I didn't like it and so I never ate goat's meat again.

Winners Never Quit And Quitters Never Win: Success Story of the Richest Filipino Fisherman

As promised, I will share with you the story about Mr.Rivera's riches as it has been told to me by a very credible source...

Photo Credits

You may want to make some coffee before reading this...

The very unusual meeting you will never forget

In my previous post, i mentioned that I resigned from my previous employer and accepted the offer from another company called Penbank, Inc.

PenBank - A private development bank

Before I decided to transfer to Penbank, i actually did a thorough research about the company and its operations. I am very well aware of the fact that when transferring to a new company, you should consider a lot of things and not only the salary but the company's reputation and stability as well. I did my research just to make sure that I won't regret any decisions that I will be making.

Let me share with you briefly what I found out..

When One Door Closes, Another Door Opens

After knowing that Jeffrey's fishing boat was actually catching tunas, the first thing that came to my mind to ask was how much cash does it bring in a month.

"Php 60,000.00 on average" - That was Jeffrey's answer to my question.

For some of you, this amount would be very tiny, but for me, at that time, that was already very big. I never even held money as big as that amount in my entire life. Surely, Jeffrey was living a very comfortable life with his finances allowing him to buy the things he needs and at the same time enjoy the things he wants.

Also, because of the earnings his fishing boat brought in, he was able to build another boat. He now has two tuna fishing boats and that simply doubles his average earnings per month to "Php 120,000.00".

A bundle of Five Hundred Philippine money. Photo Credits

A gift

In my previous post, I told you the story of how I met my dear friend Jeffrey who introduced me to the fishing business.

I learned so many things from him that day...

Yeah. This guy owns a fishing business at a very young age and his fishing boats are not just after the ordinary kinds of fish you commonly see at the wet market.

What kind of fish are they catching? It's TUNA. Big Tunas.

Yellow fin tuna. Photo Credits

Once Upon A Time

KCC Mall of Gensan. Photo Credits.

I was previously employed to one of Gensan's biggest shopping malls, the KCC Mall of Gensan.
As an IT guy, I belonged to the Management Information Systems (MIS) Group who is in charge of the company's computer systems. And that's where I met Jeffrey.

GENSAN: Simply the best place to live

A view of gensan. Photo Credits.

General Santos city, abbreviated G.S.C. or GenSan, was formerly known as Dadiangás. The city was named for General Paulino Santos, who was tasked by President Quezon in 1939 to cultivate the area’s fertile natural resources. It is classified as a highly-urbanized first class city. Cebuano is the main language spoken in General Santos City and the surrounding communities. The people living in the GenSan city are fond of calling themselves "THE GENERALS".

Get To Know Him Deeper

Before we start our journey to the fishing world, I'd like to introduce myself first.

Simple Me =)

My name is Ivan Jude Busgano and I am an IT by profession. I am 24 years old and I was born in Polomolok, South Cotabato, where the largest pineapple company in the world, the Dole Philippines Inc., is located. Polomolok is just 17 km away from General Santos City, the tuna capital of the Philippines. My parents, Miguel and Ruby, grew up and met each other in Polomolok as well. I am the youngest among five siblings and also the cutest. All of us were given two names by our parents and the first letter of our second names start with letter "J".

6 Important Things You Should Know About This Blog

A port laborer transporting a tuna from the fishing boat. Photo Credits

Never in my life did I thought to have something to share about fishing. Not even once. Though I was born in a town just 25 miles from the shore, I never bothered thinking about fishing. My only encounter with the blue waters was when we went for swimming. I was born and raised as a typical small town boy and such was my background.