Lawrence Alcantara Winner of BYU MS Asia Business Plan Competition

Breaking Ground: Lawrence A. Alcantara’s Triumph in The Great Idea Competition

Written By:

Blog Date – Updated:

In a dazzling display of entrepreneurial prowess, Lawrence A. Alcantara emerged victorious in the Great Idea Competition at the BYU MS Asia Annual Conference 2023 in Manila.

Clinching the top spot, Lawrence secured a prize of US$1,000 for his transformative business plan, Surig-awesome Resort, set to redefine the landscape of Sohoton Cove in Surigao del Norte, Mindanao.

Table of Contents

Lawrence Alcantara receiving an award as the first runner-up in The Great Idea Category.
Lawrence Alcantara received an award as the first runner-up in The Great Idea Category.
Lawrence A. Alcantara holding an award with Philip Tan (on the right), Anita Hummel (in the middle), and G. Kenneth Lee (on the left side).
Lawrence A. Alcantara held an award with Philip Tan (on the left),
Anita Hummel (in the middle) and G. Kenneth Lee (on the right).

Hidden Gem in Need of Unveiling: Sohoton Cove

Sohoton Cove on Bucas Grande Island stands as a hidden gem with mesmerizing islets, lagoons, limestone caves, and rock formations. Despite its natural allure, the area faces constraints due to stringent government protection, hindering the development of resorts and hotels.

Existing accommodations, located 15 minutes away by boat, are not only pricey but often fully booked, leaving tourists seeking alternatives.

Boating in Sohoton Cove
Boating in Sohoton Cove

Visionary Solution: Surig-awesome Resort’s Promise

In collaboration with partner Chris Javier, Lawrence envisions Surig-awesome Resort as the antidote to the challenges Sohoton Cove tourists face. Their resort development plan for Chris’ 9,000-square-meter island, strategically positioned 15 minutes away, promises a unique and intimate island resort experience.

Surig-awesome Resort's
Activities in Surig-awesome Resort’s

Key Features of Surig-awesome Resort:

  1. Swim from Hut Experience: Guests can enjoy an unparalleled experience by swimming directly from their huts.
  2. Fresh Seafood and Exclusive Tours: The resort plans to capitalize on its proximity to Sohoton Cove, offering fresh seafood and intimate local tours, including rarely visited sites.

Strategic Planning and Future Prospects:

Starting with three huts and a budget of 1.2 million pesos, Lawrence and Chris plan a phased approach. They project incremental growth, doubling income and capacity every two years. Leveraging online platforms and the Roro Terminal in Socorro, they aim to maximize bookings and expand their reach.

Vision for the Future:

Expressing gratitude for the award, Lawrence revealed plans to invest the prize money in a drone and drone camera. This move aims to enhance project presentations, attract clients, and contribute to realizing the proposed resort concept.

Surig-awesome Resort is envisioned not merely as a profitable venture but a legacy—a world-class destination contributing to Socorro and Sohoton’s growth and recognition.

Aiming High, Starting Small:

Lawrence and Chris embody the ethos of thinking big while starting small. Their vision includes attracting venture capitalists and investors by the 5th to 6th year, aligning with the opening of the Socorro International Airport. They aspire to build a legacy—a landmark standing the test of time, enriching the lives of future generations.

As we applaud Lawrence A. Alcantara’s well-deserved victory, we eagerly anticipate the growth of Surig-awesome Resort—a beacon of innovation in Sohoton Cove. The journey has just begun, and the future looks promising for this dynamic duo and their vision for a world-class destination.

Future Huts in Surig-awesome Resort's
Future Huts in Surig-awesome Resort

Closing the Loop: Share Lawrence’s Journey with Us

Are you curious to delve deeper into Lawrence A. Alcantara’s journey and hear firsthand about what winning The Great Idea Competition means to him? Click [here](insert_link_here) to watch a video where Lawrence shares his thoughts, aspirations, and the impact of this remarkable achievement on his vision for Surig-awesome Resort. Your support and engagement are integral to our shared success!

At the Brigham Young University Management Society, one of our focuses is on moral and ethical leadership. For moral and ethical leadership, we strive to help build servant leaders worldwide. We understand that organizations worldwide would be better if more servant leaders existed.

To find a chapter near you, check out the BYU Management Society website by clicking here.

Check out our YouTube Channel by clicking here.

Please help us build leaders, change lives, and make a difference by giving now. You can learn more about how to give to BYU MS Asia by clicking here.

What is the BYU Management Society?

The BYU Management Society is a business, professional network, and career development program whose primary focus is to help grow moral and ethical leadership worldwide. It also helps support the local communities where the BYU Management is organized and operating. The organization is open to all.

You can discover more by reading What is the BYU Management Society by clicking here.

Business Plan Information

BYU Management Society(BYUMS)Asia Region is organizing the Business Ideas and Plan Competition to support and promote the spirit of self-reliance and entrepreneurial start-ups in the region. The BYUMS Business Plan Competition promotes creativity, idea generation, and entrepreneurship by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology and, more importantly for encouraging people to become more self-reliant.

You can discover more by reading Business Plan Information by clicking here.

Karen De la Cruz
Follow Me