Most young graduates complain that there are no enough jobs in Bicol. But not for Ome who believed that there are just too many jobs for a few good seekers. We may have run out of fish but not opportunities. Yet few eyes have searched and few hands have tried while others have left.

Photo Caption: ROMMEL ‘OME’ BAILEY (inset) at his Butterfly Farm at Gaongan, Sipocot, Camarines Sur.

        Ome’s decision to venture into entrepreneurship was somehow borne out of boredom from the monotonous tasks of his previous job in Manila. Moving from one job to another did not do him any good. Maybe, the corporate world was not for him, he thought. So, he went back to Bicol bringing with him nothing but “lakas ng loob” at “kapal ng mukha.” After all, he was an Agriculture graduate in UPLB. Believing that this was his biggest asset, he went on to start a new way of living in the province.

        While everyone else in his batchmates was busy climbing the corporate ladder, he was in his backyard in Sipocot, Camarines Sur creating his own little “company.” His first venture was quail production. It was a good start for Ome since he was able to penetrate the market easily. Demand always outstrips supply. But things had not always been that good. His cost of production was largely affected by the soaring prices of commercial feeds. Unfortunately, his operation stopped but his determination to become an entrepreneur continued. That was the time when he learned that it was no enough to have technical know-how. One has to have that burning passion to sustain the entrepreneurial spirit.

        That break gave him the opportunity to learn new things and expand his network. He then wasted no time attending agribusiness seminars. Like a hungry lion, he was not contented with what was served on the plate. He consciously made the effort in accessing the mental power of resource persons by personally talking to them and by imbuing what they have to say. The next thing he knew, he was already an exhibitor at the Agri-Aqua fair of the 1st Bicol Business Week with his butterfly business.

        Ome is just one of 350 butterfly breeders in the country. He went to Marinduque, the butterfly capital of the Philippines, to personally learn the basics of butterfly farming. He also sought the expertise of an entomologist to fully understand the morphological and behavioral aspects of butterflies. Not long after he put up his butterfly farm, orders already started coming in.

        Butterfly release in weddings was a novelty then. Now it has become a trend even to birthdays, baptisms, and funerals. The sophistication in event organizing led to the development and expansion of his market outside the region. Realizing a huge potential for this industry, Ome’s confidence grew even more.

        Complementing his butterfly farm is another business venture – a Food Garden, which offers dining, catering, reception and a relaxing nook after his customers’ visit to his farm.

        His stay in UPLB taught him to be man for others. That is why his passion to serve others transcends even in business. He offers free lectures to young students who, like him, are hungry for knowledge. At 31, there is still so much time to realize his vision to create new industries for Bicol and encourage new and young entrepreneurs to be part of it.

        Ome admits that being in business does not generate steady financial success but it guarantees winning. Win or lose, as long as he still stand in the battlefield, he is as winner. After all, winning comes from losing.