JCI Manila Builds Next Generation of Bid Writers

Behind every award-winning project is a story carefully written, passionately told, and backed by purpose.

On May 13, 2026, JCI Manila gathered members and sister chapters for a special committee lounge focused on one important mission: learning how to write winning bids for the upcoming Area Conference and National Convention.

Hosted by Jet Tatel, Vice President for External Affairs, and led by Project Chairman Javier Veneracion, the event brought together aspiring bid writers, leaders, and members eager to sharpen their skills and continue the chapter’s strong culture of excellence.

Joining the session were members from our sister chapter JCI Makati Princess Urduja, adding to the evening’s spirit of collaboration and shared learning within the JCI movement.

And this year, the stakes are high.

JCI Manila is preparing to submit an impressive 43 bids for the upcoming award season—a reflection not only of the organization’s productivity, but of the countless projects, advocacies, and stories that deserve recognition on the national and area level.

The evening opened with Matt Flores, Executive Vice President of JCI Manila, breaking down the technical side of bid writing while sharing practical lessons from his own award-winning projects, including “Alamatt.”

But beyond structure and formatting, EVP Matt emphasized something far more important:

A winning bid is not just about writing well.
It is about telling a story that matters.

He reminded attendees that while tools like ChatGPT can assist in organizing ideas, they cannot replace understanding the actual criteria, building emotional connection, and presenting meaningful data.

“Projects can’t be done without data,” he emphasized, encouraging members to balance storytelling with measurable impact.

He also challenged participants to think beyond surface-level narratives—to write bids that connect emotionally while remaining grounded in facts, results, and purpose.

Adding excitement to the evening, EVP Matt also announced the first-ever launch of the Monching Awards, an exclusive recognition platform dedicated specifically to JCI Manila members—a milestone aimed at celebrating excellence within the chapter itself.

The learning continued as Bobbit Castro, Secretary General of JCI Manila and former 2025 Community Development Director, took the stage to share his own experiences from years of bid writing and project management.

His insights were not only practical—they were deeply personal.

He encouraged members to learn from the bid writers and leaders who came before them—adopting proven best practices while improving on past challenges and experiences. For SG Bobbit, every generation of bid writers contributes lessons that help strengthen the next.

Bid writing, for him, is not simply documentation.

It is mentorship passed down through generations of leaders.

He encouraged members to “collect then connect the dots,” emphasizing the importance of understanding how projects align together as part of a larger program or advocacy.

Drawing from his own experience handling seven bids in 2025, he explained the importance of preparation, revealing that his directorate already had a playbook prepared as early as January.

He also advised directorates to conduct internal bid conferences to strategically identify which projects complement each other and how stories can be presented cohesively.

But perhaps the most memorable moment came when he shared his personal story involving Clifford Aw, who is now the Director of Membership Benefits and Partnerships.

SG Bobbit recalled how, during Direc Cliff’s time as a Baby Jaycee, they experienced differences while working together. Yet through shared experiences, collaboration, and time, those challenges eventually evolved into genuine brotherhood.

For him, this became one of the clearest examples of what team-building truly means.

Because before strong bids are written, strong relationships must first be built.

He ended his talk with one final reminder that resonated deeply with attendees.

Bid writing is not merely about reporting what happened—it is about capturing the heart, purpose, and human impact behind every project. Beyond facts and timelines, great bids tell stories that inspire, connect emotionally, and reflect the true value of service.

It was a statement that captured the spirit of the evening perfectly.

Because behind every bid is more than just an accomplishment.

There are people.
Sacrifices.
Challenges.
Communities impacted.
And stories worth remembering.

Guiding the interactive Q&A portion of the evening was Chacky Torres, Commissioner for Leadership Training and Business Development, who helped facilitate meaningful discussions and encouraged participants to engage deeply with the speakers’ insights and experiences.

As the night came to a close, the session became more than just a workshop on technical writing.

It became a reminder of legacy.

The lessons shared by EVP Matt Flores and SG Bobbit Castro were not simply about awards, formatting, or competition. They were about continuing the work started by the brothers who came before us—those who built the reputation, culture, and excellence that JCI Manila carries today.

Every bid written is more than a submission.

It is a continuation of a story decades in the making.

A story built by leaders who believed in service, brotherhood, and impact.

And now, that responsibility passes on to the next generation of bid writers—not just to win awards, but to honor the legacy entrusted to them.

Because in JCI Manila, excellence is not inherited automatically.

It is protected.
Strengthened.
And carried forward by those willing to continue the work.

One story at a time.