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. 11h ago

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Emil Javier of Don't Blame The Kids (DBTK)

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Emil Javier, co-founder of Filipino streetwear brand Don’t Blame The Kids (DBTK), to look back on the journey of building one of the country’s most recognizable local fashion labels. Emil shares how he and his brother Vince turned ₱80,000 and 100 blank shirts into a thriving streetwear brand. He talks about the early struggles, growing the business together, and the lessons that helped DBTK stay relevant for over a decade. The conversation also explores the realities of running a family business, staying relevant in a fast-changing streetwear scene, dealing with counterfeit products, and the dream of bringing a proudly Filipino brand to the global stage. It’s a story of brotherhood, patience, creativity, and building something that lasts. Because a great brand is more than what you wear—it’s the story behind it.

  2. 2d ago

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Cong. Toby Tiangco

    n this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Congressman Toby Tiangco to discuss the ongoing fight for transparency and accountability in government. Cong. Tiangco explains why he believes the national budget should clearly show how much is allocated to every congressional district, who requested each project, and where public funds are going. He shares how he made Navotas’ proposed infrastructure projects publicly accessible, complete with budgets, locations, and explanations, so constituents can hold their representatives accountable. The conversation also tackles questionable budget amendments, the rising cost of living, struggling small businesses, declining online sales, and the challenges facing Filipino entrepreneurs. They also discuss why more Filipinos are considering leaving the country and what meaningful political reform could look like heading into 2028. It’s a candid discussion about public money, government responsibility, and the economic realities Filipinos face every day. Because transparency should be the standard, not the exception.

  3. Nov 2

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Billy Dela Fuente

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Billy dela Fuente, USANA’s first and highest-ranked 11-Star Diamond Director in the Philippines, to talk about his journey from struggling entrepreneur to becoming one of the country’s most successful leaders in direct selling. Billy shares how he started with part-time jobs, failed businesses, and financial struggles before discovering USANA in 2009. He opens up about the decade of hard work, sacrifices, and persistence that eventually allowed him and his wife to achieve financial freedom. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, from handling rejection and mastering sales to overcoming the negative stigma surrounding network marketing. Billy also shares his approach to mentorship, building multiple income streams, investing in real estate, and creating generational wealth. Beyond business, Billy talks about the important role his wife played in his success, raising children with the right values, and teaching the next generation to embrace challenges rather than avoid them. Success doesn’t happen overnight. This episode is a reminder that the right mindset, consistent effort, and lessons learned from failure can make all the difference—not just in building wealth, but in building a meaningful life.

  4. Oct 29

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Dr. Karol Mark Yee, EDCOM2 Executive Director

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Dr. Karol Mark Yee, Executive Director of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), for an eye-opening conversation about one of the Philippines’ most urgent challenges: the state of our education system. How can we talk about artificial intelligence, future-ready careers, and competing with our neighbors when so many Filipino students are still struggling with the basics of reading, comprehension, and mathematics? Drawing from EDCOM 2’s research and the latest assessments discussed in the episode, Dr. Yee explains the scale of the learning crisis, why students can advance through school without mastering foundational skills, and how these gaps eventually affect their ability to think critically, find employment, and thrive in the real world. The conversation explores the reforms being pursued to address these problems, including literacy and numeracy assessments, structured reading remediation, teacher support, and efforts to accelerate classroom construction. Dr. Yee also explains why early childhood education matters, why children need access to affordable books, and how the country’s curriculum and school incentives must better reflect what students actually need to learn. The goal is simple but fundamental: every child should be able to read with understanding before moving on to more complex learning. But education does not end at graduation. Carlo and Dr. Yee discuss the challenges faced by college graduates and the existing workforce, including functional illiteracy, declining returns on some college degrees, and the need to give greater attention to technical-vocational education and training. They also explore the Philippines’ enormous potential in creative work, digital services, and other industries—and how better education, strategic investment, and stronger employment opportunities could help Filipinos succeed without having to leave the country to build a better life. Beyond classrooms and policy, the conversation gets personal. Dr. Yee shares how his experiences working with the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara helped shape his commitment to education reform, the importance of mentorship, and why the work must continue beyond any single administration. They also discuss the challenges young people face today, from social isolation and bullying to changing family dynamics, and why children need not only better learning opportunities but also supportive adults who listen and help them build confidence. And despite the difficult realities, this episode ends on a hopeful note. Through initiatives such as Buksan ang Kinabukasan, communities, schools, churches, and ordinary Filipinos can help bring books to children who lack access to them. Dr. Yee shares how people can support local schools, contribute reading materials, and use EDCOM 2’s publicly available data to identify where help is most needed. The Philippines has no shortage of talented, creative, and capable people. The challenge is making sure every child has the opportunity to develop that potential. Because fixing education is not just about improving test scores. It is about building a generation that can think critically, make informed decisions, contribute meaningfully to society, and help shape a better future for the country.

  5. Oct 22

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Dear BIR with Mon Abrea (for the fourth time)

    In his fourth appearance on the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Mon Abrea, the Philippine Tax Whiz, returns for another unfiltered conversation with Carlo Ople—and this time, things get heated. The discussion kicks off with the BIR’s proposed registration badge for online sellers, businesses, and content creators. Is it a practical way to protect consumers and identify legitimate businesses, or another compliance requirement that could make life more difficult for people who are already trying to follow the rules? Carlo and Mon examine the gap between good intentions and actual implementation, including the confusing procedures, additional costs, and lack of accessible instructions that can discourage people from registering. From there, the conversation gets into a bigger question: Why does paying taxes have to be so complicated? Mon argues for a simpler, more integrated digital tax system that could make compliance easier, improve the collection of taxes from online transactions, and reduce the need for taxpayers to navigate layers of paperwork. They also discuss international online sellers, withholding taxes, the possibility of a final tax system for certain types of income, and how the government can distinguish deliberate tax evasion from people who simply do not know where to begin. But taxes are only half the story. What happens to the money after the government collects it? Carlo and Mon turn their attention to government spending, questioning the heavy reliance on financial assistance programs, the need for sustainable employment opportunities, and concerns over how public funds are allocated. They also get into congressional operating expenses, transparency, and the need for public officials to be held to the same standards of accountability expected of ordinary taxpayers. As the discussion intensifies, the two don’t hold back—and some portions of the conversation had to be censored. Mon also lays out the policy changes he wants lawmakers to prioritize, including raising the income-tax-free threshold toward ₱1 million, abolishing the travel tax, and pursuing a global minimum tax framework to address the taxation of large multinational companies earning from the Philippine market. He explains why he believes these measures could help ease the financial pressure on Filipinos and make the tax system fairer. The episode also explores how citizens can participate in policymaking beyond voting: writing to legislators, attending committee hearings, asking questions, and pushing for meaningful public consultation. Mon shares his continuing efforts to engage government officials and his belief that public office should remain accountable to the people it serves. Four guestings in, the conversation remains as candid and confrontational as ever. From the BIR’s new initiatives to tax reform, government spending, and political accountability, this episode asks a question every Filipino taxpayer should be asking: If the government collects our money in the name of public service, what should we expect in return?

  6. Oct 11

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: Nico Rocha

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with Nico Rocha for a conversation about the ever-evolving world of card collecting—and why keeping up with the hobby means keeping an eye on the market. From the excitement of finding a card you’ve been chasing to the thrill of owning something rare, card collecting has grown into a hobby where passion and market value often intersect. But what makes a card valuable in the first place? And why can a card that commands a premium today suddenly lose its appeal tomorrow? Carlo and Nico discuss the trends shaping the collecting scene, the cards and categories gaining attention, and the factors that can cause prices to rise or fall. They explore the role of popularity, scarcity, collector demand, and market hype—and how changing interests can affect the value of cards people already own. They also get into the realities of collecting in a market where prices aren’t always straightforward. How do you tell the difference between genuine demand and temporary hype? When is a card worth pursuing, and when might collectors be paying more than the market can sustain? And how should collectors approach price fluctuations without losing sight of what made them love the hobby in the first place? Whether you collect basketball cards, Pokémon, or other trading cards, this episode offers a closer look at the trends, buying decisions, and market movements that make collecting such an exciting—and sometimes unpredictable—hobby. Because in the world of cards, knowing what you love is one thing. Understanding what the market values is another.

  7. Oct 8

    Project 7 to 1 Podcast: People's Budget Coalition

    In this episode of the Project 7 to 1 Podcast, Carlo Ople sits down with AJ Montesa and Zy-Za Suzara of the People’s Budget Coalition for a deep dive into something that affects every Filipino but is rarely understood by the public: how the national budget actually gets made. With the proposed ₱7.2-trillion 2027 national budget now going through Congress, AJ and Zy break down the process—from the National Expenditure Program submitted by the Executive, to congressional deliberations, amendments, realignments, and ultimately the General Appropriations Act. The House has described its 2027 deliberations as a line-by-line review, while civil society groups continue to push for greater transparency and meaningful participation throughout the process. The People’s Budget Coalition has been closely scrutinizing the proposed 2027 budget and has identified ₱735.56 billion worth of “red flag” items that it says could be vulnerable to political intervention and insertions. These include social assistance programs, infrastructure projects, lump-sum allocations, and unprogrammed appropriations. AJ and Zy explain why simply looking at the total budget isn’t enough—you have to understand where the money goes, who controls the allocations, and how those numbers can change as the budget moves through Congress. They also discuss the controversial role of congressional insertions, pork-like allocations, infrastructure spending, the Local Government Support Fund, unprogrammed appropriations, and the importance of making budget documents and amendments accessible to the public. The PBC has also raised concerns about civil society organizations being given limited access and insufficient time to participate meaningfully in House budget deliberations. And this conversation gets heated. As AJ and Zy walk Carlo through the mechanics of the 2027 budget and the ways Congress can influence the final spending plan, Carlo becomes increasingly frustrated—and at certain points, things get a little too real for the final cut. Hence, the censored portions. But underneath the heated exchange is a serious question: If this is the people’s money, how much should ordinary Filipinos be able to see, understand, and question about how it is being spent? This is a conversation about the ₱7.2-trillion 2027 budget, congressional power, transparency, pork and insertions, civil society participation, and why understanding the budget process is ultimately understanding how government works.

  8. Oct 1

    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.

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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
    2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople
  • Show Website
    Project 7 to 1 by Carlo Ople

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