Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople

Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople

Welcome to Project 7 to 1, the podcast that aims to inspire and motivate entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. In each episode, we feature guests who have succeeded in their respective fields. 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Build Your Career. 7:00PM to 1:00AM, Build Your Dreams. For Those Who Hustle.

  1. 5d ago

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: District Engineer Kenneth Fernando of Bulacan (First)

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Engr. Kenneth Fernando, the young engineer handpicked by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon to take over as Officer-in-Charge District Engineer of the DPWH Bulacan 1st District Engineering Office—an assignment that puts him at the center of one of the most difficult moments in the agency’s history. Bulacan has become ground zero in the country’s flood-control controversy. The district Fernando now leads was previously headed by Henry Alcantara, who was dismissed by the DPWH after being found administratively liable for serious offenses connected to anomalous flood-control projects. The Professional Regulatory Board of Civil Engineering later revoked Alcantara’s license after finding gross unprofessional and unethical conduct. And now, Fernando has to fill those shoes—but under completely different circumstances. A DPWH veteran of around a decade and a graduate of the agency’s Cadet Engineering Program, Fernando came from the Central Office before being assigned to Bulacan. Secretary Dizon described the appointment as part of bringing “fresh blood” into critical positions and specifically tasked the new leadership with helping solve the province’s long-running flooding problems. In this conversation, Kenneth talks about what it feels like to step into such a difficult position at such a difficult time. How do you lead an engineering district when public trust in the institution has been badly damaged? How do you navigate the pressure, the scrutiny, and the expectations while making sure that the work actually gets done? The discussion also goes beyond the controversy. They talk about the realities on the ground in Bulacan, the unfinished and problematic flood-control infrastructure that needs to be addressed, and the enormous responsibility of making sure that future projects are properly planned, implemented, and delivered to the communities that desperately need them. But perhaps the most important part of the conversation is how it ends—with hope. Because even after everything that has happened, Kenneth represents a new generation of public servants who still have the opportunity to do things differently. The challenges facing DPWH are enormous, but institutions can be rebuilt, systems can be changed, and public trust can be earned back—one project and one decision at a time. This is a conversation about taking over a difficult legacy, navigating an extraordinary moment in Philippine public infrastructure, and why there is still a chance to redeem DPWH—and perhaps restore people’s faith that government can still work.

  2. Sep 26

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Atty. Rannie Libyan

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Atty. Ranny Randolf “Rannie” Libayan of BATASnatin for a conversation about law, content creation, entrepreneurship, technology, and what happens when you put a practicing trial lawyer in front of a camera. Rannie’s journey is anything but conventional. Long before he became a lawyer, he was already building BATASnatin.com as a way to make Philippine legal information more accessible. As a working student who had limited access to legal resources, he turned that challenge into an opportunity—eventually creating what BATASnatin describes as the Philippines’ first comprehensive online legal library. After becoming a lawyer, he went on to build a career in litigation, handling dozens of cases early in his practice and developing his experience as a trial lawyer. From practicing law, Rannie eventually found another way to reach Filipinos: content creation. He talks about how BATASnatin evolved from a website into a broader digital platform, how he uses social media to explain complicated legal issues in a way ordinary Filipinos can understand, and the realities of being a lawyer whose work and opinions are constantly being seen by a massive online audience. But with that visibility also came controversy—and legal battles. Rannie opens up about being sued by prominent personalities and corporations, including an experience where he says he faced 40 counts at one time. The conversation explores what it is like to defend yourself while simultaneously practicing law, creating content, and standing behind the things you publish. The episode also touches on the intersection of copyright, commentary, fair use, and the risks that come with legal content creation. His disputes have previously included a highly publicized case involving Raffy Tulfo in Action. The conversation then moves into perhaps the most futuristic part of Rannie’s journey: AI and the practice of law. He shares the story behind BATASnatin’s AI-powered legal tools and the development of Lexitary, an AI legal secretary designed specifically around Philippine law. Rather than simply functioning as a chatbot, Lexitary is built to assist with legal research, Supreme Court jurisprudence, case digests, document drafting, bar review, case management, and other aspects of legal work—with citations that users can verify. And the bigger question is fascinating: What happens when technology starts changing how lawyers research, prepare cases, draft documents, and even learn the law? Rannie shares his vision for making legal knowledge and technology more accessible not just to lawyers, but also to students, professionals, and ordinary Filipinos trying to understand the law. From building a website before he even became a lawyer, to becoming a trial lawyer and content creator, facing major legal battles, and now developing AI for the Philippine legal profession—this is the story of Atty. Rannie Libayan and the evolution of BATASnatin.

  3. Sep 23

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Edgar "Bobot" Mortiz

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with one of Philippine entertainment’s most respected veterans, Direk Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, for a conversation that takes us through an extraordinary career spanning music, acting, television, directing, and talent development. Long before he became known as the director behind some of Philippine television’s biggest shows, Bobot Mortiz was already performing professionally at a very young age. He talks about starting out as a competitive singer, eventually moving into acting and becoming part of a popular love team, before finding his way behind the camera and building a remarkable career as a director. A huge part of that journey was his ability to discover, develop, and handle young talent. From Goin’ Bulilit to Let’s Go, Direk Bobot had a front-row seat to the growth of young performers who would eventually become some of today’s biggest stars. He shares what it was like working with children and teenagers, how he recognized potential, and the responsibility that comes with helping shape the careers of young artists. The conversation also takes an unexpected turn into politics. Direk Bobot briefly talks about his own experience as an elected public official—and why, despite understanding and maintaining friendships with people in politics, he realized that public service was something he personally dreaded and never truly enjoyed. He reflects on how difficult the political system can be and the moral toll it can take on the people working within it. And finally, the episode becomes deeply personal as Carlo and Direk Bobot talk about the long-standing relationship between the Mortiz and Ople families. They revisit their shared history in Quezon City, the Mortiz family’s close ties with the late Senator Blas Ople, Carlo’s grandfather, and the connections between their families that go back decades. It’s a conversation about showbiz, mentorship, public service, family, and the people and relationships that remain long after the spotlight fades.

  4. Sep 19

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Orion Perez D

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with constitutional reform advocate Orion Perez Dumdum for a deep dive into one of the biggest questions facing the Philippines: Does the country’s political system need to change? Orion has spent years advocating for constitutional reform through the CoRRECT Movement, pushing for changes that include a shift toward a parliamentary system, federalism, and reforms to the Constitution’s economic provisions. His advocacy has also brought him into public consultations and congressional discussions on possible amendments to the 1987 Constitution. The conversation explores what a parliamentary government could look like in the Philippines, how federalism could change the relationship between Manila and the regions, and whether decentralizing political and economic power could address some of the country’s long-running problems. Carlo and Orion also get into the bigger question behind Charter Change: Is changing individual leaders enough, or do we need to rethink the system itself? They discuss political accountability, economic restrictions, foreign investment, regional development, and why Orion believes the structure of government has a major impact on the country’s ability to move forward. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about the Philippine Constitution, parliamentary government, federalism, economic liberalization, and the possible directions of constitutional reform—and why these debates continue to matter to Filipinos today.

  5. Sep 8

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Secretary Vince Dizon

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon for a candid conversation about public service, infrastructure, government reform, and the challenge of fixing one of the country’s most important—and most scrutinized—agencies. Dizon looks back at a career that has moved between government and the private sector. Long before leading major government agencies, he began as an economics research staffer and eventually became chief of staff to then-Senator Edgardo Angara. He shares stories from those early years in the Senate, including his encounters with the late Senator Blas Ople, Carlo’s grandfather—a personal connection that brings a different dimension to the conversation. The discussion then follows Dizon’s journey back from the private sector into government and eventually to the Department of Transportation. He talks about the experience of managing major transportation and infrastructure projects before being handed an entirely different challenge: taking over the Department of Public Works and Highways. Carlo and Secretary Dizon discuss just how different the two environments are. From an agency where many of the country’s biggest transportation projects are driven and coordinated centrally, Dizon suddenly found himself leading the highly decentralized DPWH—with regional and district engineering offices implementing thousands of projects throughout the country. And he entered the agency at an extraordinary moment. Dizon took over DPWH as allegations surrounding ghost projects, substandard flood-control works, questionable bidding practices, overpricing, and corruption were being uncovered. He talks about what he encountered inside the department, the difficulty of reforming such a massive decentralized organization, and the challenge of creating systems that promote accountability all the way from the central office down to the districts. The conversation ultimately asks a much bigger question: How do you reform an institution this large while still making sure the roads, bridges, flood-control systems, classrooms, and other infrastructure Filipinos need actually get built? Expect an unusually personal and insightful conversation that spans Vince Dizon’s early days in government, his time in the private sector, his experiences at DOTr, and now the enormous task of cleaning up and transforming the DPWH.

  6. Sep 7

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Jico Umali aka JiConyo

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Filipino content creator Jico Umali, better known online as JiConyo. Jico takes us through his journey as a creator—from finding his voice through his now-iconic “conyo” persona and building an audience online, to working behind the scenes as a content strategist, writer, director, actor, and creator. His work eventually expanded beyond social media, including appearances in film and other creative projects.  But this conversation takes a more personal turn as Jico opens up about the health scare that changed his life. In July 2025, at just 28 years old, he suffered a stroke that left him temporarily bedridden and affected the left side of his body and vision. His road to recovery became a journey he openly documented with his followers—from hospitalization and rehabilitation to gradually regaining his mobility and independence.  Jico also talks about the lessons that came with that experience and how it changed his perspective on health, life, and the choices we make. More recently, he has spoken publicly about his belief that smoking and vaping played a major role in his stroke and has turned his experience into a warning for others who may be taking similar risks.  Expect a conversation that starts with the laughs and stories behind one of the Philippines’ recognizable creator personas, but eventually goes much deeper—into health, second chances, recovery, and finding a different perspective on life after a life-changing experience.

  7. Aug 29

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Ninong Ry

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with chef, entrepreneur, and content creator Ninong Ry. Ryan “Ninong Ry” Reyes shares the story behind the man millions of Filipinos now know from his no-frills, hilarious, and unapologetic cooking videos. From his beginnings in the family business and his experiences in the restaurant industry to facing financial struggles and eventually discovering content creation during the pandemic, Ninong Ry opens up about the journey that brought him to where he is today.  The conversation also goes beyond the kitchen. Carlo and Ninong Ry talk about his various business endeavors, how he built a career around content creation, and how his approach to making content has evolved as the years—and his audience—have grown. What started with simple cooking videos and an old phone eventually became a full-fledged career, brand, and business. And because this is Project 7 to 1, there’s naturally some fun involved. Ninong Ry takes on a matcha drink during the episode—but the real question is: will the Ninong approve? Expect plenty of laughs, real talk, stories about the grind behind the success, and a closer look at the chef and creator behind one of the Philippines’ most recognizable online personalities.

  8. Aug 26

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Cong. Toby Tiangco

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Navotas Congressman Toby Tiangco for a timely conversation about the proposed 2027 Philippine national budget—and the much bigger question behind the numbers: are we really getting the most out of every peso? As Congress begins deliberations on the proposed 2027 budget, Carlo and Congressman Tiangco discuss how billions in public funds are allocated, scrutinized, and ultimately spent. The conversation looks beyond the headline figure and into the importance of transparency, accountability, proper appropriation, and ensuring that government spending actually translates into meaningful services for Filipinos. Tiangco also shares his concerns about the way budget amendments and insertions have historically been handled. He has argued that the House itself should be subjected to the same level of pre-plenary scrutiny as other government agencies, including greater transparency over how its own budget is allocated and spent.  So, when the proposed national budget reaches record levels, does a bigger budget automatically mean better governance? Or should the bigger question be whether every allocation is properly justified, efficiently spent, and accountable to the Filipino people? Expect a candid discussion about the 2027 national budget, budget deliberations, transparency, insertions, and the challenges of making sure public money actually works for the public.

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About

Welcome to Project 7 to 1, the podcast that aims to inspire and motivate entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. In each episode, we feature guests who have succeeded in their respective fields. 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Build Your Career. 7:00PM to 1:00AM, Build Your Dreams. For Those Who Hustle.

Information

  • Creator
    Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople
  • Show Website
    Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople

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