FOMO Is Real: Here’s What Went Down at TASTE + TRADE Night

What happens when you mix gourmet flavors, thriving entrepreneurs, and business-minded Jaycees? You get TASTE + TRADE Night, a flavorful celebration of enterprise and engagement at JCI Manila’s General Membership Meeting last May 20, 2025.

Held under the dynamic leadership of Project Chairman Prince Datu and assisted by Business Development and LOM heads Dir. Sean Patrick Si and Comm. Janryck Lim, the event served a smorgasbord of business networking, food discoveries, and insightful conversations—making it a memorable night for both seasoned and new members alike.

Whether you were a member looking to showcase your F&B brand, grow your network, or simply enjoy unlimited bites from fellow Jaycees’ businesses, TASTE + TRADE Night had something for everyone.

“Let’s Eat, Pare!” — Turning Cravings into Community Currency

With Mark Del Rosario, Founder of Let’s Eat Pare

You’ve probably seen it. That viral post in Let’s Eat Pare showing a mind-blowing new dish that instantly makes you say, “Budol na naman!” That’s the magic that Mark Del Rosario—JCI Manila member and founder of the 1.1-million-strong food tribe—brought to our TASTE + TRADE Night.

Mark didn’t just talk about food. He served up a delicious strategy: build your brand through your community. Forget polished ads. Instead, let real people share real cravings. When your customers post about their “first bite” or “last piece, I swear,” you don’t just get engagement—you get trust, loyalty, and sales.

One of the biggest takeaways? Tribe leaders matter. Mark says, “The crowd is drawn to a tribe leader”—someone credible, consistent, and cool enough to speak your brand’s truth. They’re not just influencers—they’re evangelists. Find your tribe leader, and you’ve found your amplifier.

He also introduced us to product seeding: send your food to people who matter—writers, foodies, LEP loyalists—and let them tell the story. Think of it as your soft launch… with a lot of appetite-whetting.

And if you’re looking to grow superfans (and who isn’t?), Mark says: Make it personal. Treat them like family. Get them involved. Reward them. Give them a roadmap to “superfandom.” Because when your customers feel seen and appreciated, they’ll talk about your brand like it’s a favorite cousin’s business.

Let’s not forget collabs—like LEP x BDO x B’Lue. When local brands come together with a shared love for food and purpose, it creates an exponential effect. It’s not just marketing. It’s a movement.

Mark’s final advice? Gamify it! Community contests, fun prompts, even using slow-moving inventory in creative ways—don’t be afraid to play. “Life’s already hard. Don’t forget to have fun,” he said. And honestly, that might’ve been the best dish of the night.

“You Don’t Rise to the Level of Your Goals…” You Fall to the Level of Your Systems

With Roy Quejada, Restaurant Systems Guru

Ever walked into a restaurant and thought, “Wow, everything just… works”? That’s not magic—it’s systems. And Roy Quejada, our second powerhouse speaker, showed us how rock-solid systems are what separate “okay” businesses from those that thrive even on their busiest nights.

Roy dropped a James Clear quote that hit harder than a double espresso:

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

And suddenly, we all knew why those ambitious business plans sometimes flop—they’ve got goals, sure. But no game plan.

From service flow to kitchen chaos control, Roy walked us through the big 5 of F&B ops:

1. Service Management – From prep to plate, every step should be clockwork. Want faster service, cleaner stores, and happier customers? Write it down. Train it in. Do it every day.

2. Store Maintenance & Safety – Equipment breaking down in the middle of lunch rush? Not if you’ve got Roy-level systems. A clean, safe, well-maintained store isn’t optional—it’s your baseline.

3. Inventory & Production – Know what you’re making, how much it costs, and how to stop waste from eating your profits. It’s not just a kitchen—it’s a factory with flavor.

4. Team Management & Training – Roy reminded us that your people are your biggest asset. From hiring to mentoring to scheduling, the secret sauce is a motivated, trained crew that knows exactly what’s expected.

5. Financials, Baby! – Want that bottom line to smile at you? Track cash flow. Know your EBIT. Analyze what’s working and fix what’s not. Because, as Peter Drucker said, “What gets measured gets managed.”

And just when we thought it couldn’t get more real, Roy brought out the big one:

“Culture is not an accessory to performance. It’s the engine.”

That means it’s not enough to have systems—you need a team that believes in them. A culture that celebrates execution, where people understand the why, not just the what. That’s how strategies turn into real-life success.

Food + Fellowship + Freebies = A Full House

Of course, what’s a TASTE + TRADE Night without food? Exhibitors—made up of JCI Manila’s very own entrepreneurs—generously shared their signature bites, turning the venue into a delicious playground of flavors and culinary conversations.

From artisanal desserts to gourmet meals, attendees were spoiled with free samples, heartfelt stories behind each brand, and opportunities to connect with fellow F&B founders.

More than just a meeting, TASTE + TRADE Night was a celebration of the JCI value of Free Enterprise, showcasing how entrepreneurship, community, and structured systems can co-exist—and thrive.

Whether you came to eat, exhibit, or exchange business cards, one thing was clear: JCI Manila is a home where ideas are shared, partnerships are formed, and success is served—pare-style.

Before the evening wrapped up, BizLOM Director Sean Patrick Si took the mic and revved up excitement for JCI Manila’s next General Membership Meeting: CARS & WATCHES GMM, happening on June 17, 2025 at GAC BGC, Bonifacio Global City. This isn’t your typical sit-down meeting—it’s a high-octane celebration of craftsmanship, performance, and style. Whether you’re a die-hard gearhead, a watch connoisseur, or just someone who appreciates the finer things in life, this night is tailor-made for you.

Come in your best Polo Barong, flash your favorite timepiece, and get ready to test drive sports cars, marvel at iconic watches, and gain insights from industry leaders. Plus, don’t miss the mystery watch raffle and, of course, the signature JCI camaraderie. Mark your calendars, gentlemen—this is one GMM you don’t want to be fashionably late to.