Doing Business in Quezon City

Polly and Ais has talked me into securing our BIR Registration (which is OK since I haven't had the chance to get my hands dirty with the papers yet). This was a few weeks ago and I still ain't able to set my foot on the BIR office because of the Mayor's Permit prerequisite.

I won't go into all the details here but all I can say is that securing the permit from the Mayor's office is a two-fold story of frustration and triumph.

Now, I'm well aware of the widespread corruption in our government offices. What I'm not previously aware of is how tolerated they are. Needless to say, I almost fell victim to these schemes. And sadly, for a time I felt hopeless for the country in general because of this experience.

The good news was that we were assisted by one of the personnel from the City Hall's COA office. She walked me through most of the stages of the process, talking to the other staff along the way, ensuring that I won't be experiencing another horror story.

After a few days of walking in the halls, staring at the Quezon memorial in despair, treading Elliptical Road, and having sidetrips to PhilCoA and TriNoMa, we finally was able to secure our Mayor's Permit.

Ta-da!

It's a product of sweat and tears. Next step: Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas, Quezon Avenue.

The Perils of Business Registration

Excitement!

I walked to the Securities and Exchange Commission office on 10 June 2009 to personally get our registration forms. A number of challenges hindered me from achieving my goal, but I was determined to make it:

1) I was tremendously afraid of heights; and I had to grab my chest and breathe heavily while walking over the newly-constructed footbridge that went from Robinson's Galleria to the SEC office.

2) I didn't know where exactly in the SEC office do I get forms; so I relied on information given by the friendly security guards and was just hurrying to avoid getting stuck in the long lines.

3) According the SEC website, we cannot register Mediaphile, Inc. as of yet because it appears confusingly similar to Mediphil Ents.

We had two options:

- Write an appeal letter to the Head of the Name Verification Department for him to accept Mediaphile, Inc. as our business name; or
- Change our name entirely.

I decided to go with option 1 since I was very much hopeful that the business activities of Mediphil Ents. are entirely different from ours. I wanted to take the chance to have the original name of our business; as we have already reserved the domain name and made other arrangements.

4) I didn't have an appeal letter nor access to an internet cafe; so I had to go to the nearby business consulting offices to have an appeal letter drafted and printed.

We will know if we can register Mediaphile, Inc. by Wednesday. :) I'm praying that things go according to plan.

Introducing Mediaphile

MEDIAPHILE is a full service advertising and creative company that offers a fusion of new and conventional media to create, maintain and transform brands. The company’s main services are focused into digital media and online and print marketing.

We also offer holistic advertising packages, innovative toolsets and solutions for all types of advertising needs.

Services Offered:

ONLINE MEDIA

Web Design and Development

We create and develop customized websites synched with client needs. We create well planned, customer-oriented and usable websites that always take into account the business niche, brand, logo, collateral and primary audience. In doing so, we’re able to produce websites that deliver.

Internet Marketing

We provide internet marketing services in order to promote online visibility and get high conversion rates for products and services. Our online marketing services ensure great returns on investments.

CONVENTIONAL MEDIA

Desktop Publishing

Create a splash with great designs and graphics.

Print

Make an impact with our innovative yet cost-effective print solutions.

OTHER PACKAGES

- Integrated Solutions or Campaigns (holistic advertising packages)
- Customized Brand Strategy (brand creation and development)
- Media Planning and Buying (for online and conventional media)
- Event Management