Last year, while watching Bloomberg, a technical analyst who follows the Elliot Wave in charting the stock market predicted that the Dow would hit 9t. At that time, the Dow was trading at 13t level. It seemed ridiculous and crazy then, but we saw that it collapsed to 6500t. Today, it has rallied to 8t.

As I spent some time with my family in San Francisco, I still feel that the American problem is just beginning. While the US Government is doing everything it can, a problem like this cannot be solved overnight. Wealth has definitely been destroyed. For example, a lot of Americans have lost so much from their 401K Retirement Plan. It may not even be enough to secure them a comfortable life during their retirement days. People are still losing jobs. Most of people I know in America have been laid off or have been asked to go on long leaves.
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For those who read last week’s column entitled “My dream for the Philippines”, there are actually a couple of sentences lacking in my dream. But due to the advice of some very caring people, I decided to remove it. But, then again, dreams are meant to be said no matter how crazy or how impossible it may be to some people.

When I was a very young boy, my dream was to have my own home, to have a boat, and to be Batman. All of it did come true. I guess the Batman part came true through my being a crusader, by means of our advocacy in Go Negosyo.

Today, my dream is for Go Negosyo. I dream that one day, our advocacy towards uplifting the Filipino people from centuries of poverty and uplifting the quality of their lives will prove to be so effective and lasting that will be adopted as a model for the developing world and even recognized by an international body such as the Nobel Prize. It is such a wild dream. But, who knows… If Go Negosyo fulfills its mission, all things are possible. Don’t be scared to dream no matter how far it may seem to be.

To the young kids who are reading this column: if you would like to be the country’s president one day, write it down. If you will not be able to achieve it as it is, keep on trying or focus on achieving it by doing other things. Imagine me being Batman, the cape crusader. It would look funny at my age - wearing a bat outfit going to the office. But, I guess the crusader part is something that I achieve by helping people move out from poverty. Through Go Negosyo, I am able to bring out the Batman part in me. I did, in a way, achieve my dream of being Batman (but not through the bat outfit and a bat mobile).

Let me share with you the dreams of others.

I dream to live a useful and happy life in a Philippines that is at peace with itself and its neighbors, where society is more just and humane and where there is equal opportunity for all.

–Sec. Cerge Remonde

After having served as governor for five years and realizing that power in government can be noble and great if only it is used well, I dream that more decent, competent and selfless Filipinos choose to run for public office; and that Filipino voters learn to choose to vote them.

-Gov. Grace Padaca

I want to see a Philippines that celebrates, nurtures, and patronizes the multifaceted talent and skill of the Filipino. My hope is that I will continue to play a role in creating such a Philippines.

-Sec. Ace Durano

As a father, I would like to see at least one of my children get involved in our business in the future. But being an entrepreneur myself, it wouldn’t be too surprising if they all decided to get into their own fields or businesses. It would be a dream to see them succeed in any field they choose. The Philippines, from a tourism standpoint, has so much to offer. I would like to see our infrastructure improve, to be able to address the needs of our domestic and International tourists. From an investment standpoint, I would really like to see our laws change to allow foreigners to freely buy and own land here.

-Jean Henri Lhuillier (President/CEO, Lhuillier Group of Companies)

My dream for myself is a greater vision, clarity and awareness of my bigger self. For our country: governance with principles, integrity, vision and keen awareness of the vital importance of our natural resources; that our people en masse develop a reverence for our natural resources.

-Gina Lopez (Managing Director, ABS-CBN Foundation)

I dream of ordinary things we see abroad that can bring extraordinary relief to our people - massive infra projects that will link the countryside to central business districts. I dream of low food prices, with shortened travel time from distant farms to city markets. I dream of zero squatting - when houses and lots that can be priced so cheaply like Indian Nano cars the moment efficient rail link can decongest Metro Manila and bring workers home to as far North and South as possible. I dream of many more tourists visiting the Philippines and admiring the beauty of our land not because it’s man-made but because it’s God-given. Finally I dream of politicians recognizing that the dreams of this generation can still be saved by learning lessons from past mistakes, listening more and serving with humility.

-Johnlu Koa (CEO, French Baker)

My dream for my country is that it shall one day be a nation of citizens who will love their country. I dream of a nation where we will believe in ourselves and in our capability to pursue integrity, excellence and discipline. I dream of a nation where all will be given an opportunity to be educated and where children will not have to roam the streets to beg. We have been blessed with natural resources and I dream of a time when this shall be nurtured and properly used for the benefit of all. I dream of a time when our Filipinos will have jobs that will utilize their talents in our country and those who leave will do so to pursue professional growth. I dream of a time when there will be peace between Filipinos regardless of religion. I dream of a time when we are able to practice our faith to bring about social justice. I dream of a time when we will not have to be worried about the safety of our family and where laws will be upheld to protect all. Each of us can do our share if we focus on giving all that we can to each day and believing that change is still possible.

-Carla Limcaoco (Executive Managing Director, Philippine Transmarine Carriers)

As I arrived in Vancouver the other day, I received great news from my staff in Manila. The Go Negosyo book on 55 women entrepreneurs is now the Number One Bestseller in National Bookstore’s Non-Fiction Category. We have just launched this book in NBS Rockwell last Feb. 26, but it is now No. 1 in the list. Another great news is that PGMA has signed an Executive Order, making GoNegosyo the official banner program of the government.

Our first book on 50 inspiring entrepreneurs was a continuous bestseller for a year. To date, we have three books. For this latest third book, I felt that it was going to be a best seller from the moment I conceptualized it. As we launched it, I felt more strongly about the book. Almost all the women featured in the book were present. This was followed by the biggest women entrepreneurial event in the World Trade Center, which had a record attendance of close to 15 thousand attendees who were mostly women. It caught everyone by surprise. It has given me more confidence that we are indeed on the right track; and that many people indeed want to be inspired.
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Flying in from Manila, the immigration officer in San Francisco asked if we were going to watch Manny Pacquiao fight. I told him yes, as he is the endorser of our new Vitwater. He was amazed and thought the tickets to be expensive. I told him that tickets may cost a lot in the black market, but we got tickets through Pacman’s team.

As we landed in Vegas the night before the fight, it seemed like every Pinoy couldn’t seem to hide the excitement. As we got in MGM Grandstand, it was like a sea of Brits. I would say that 70 to 80 percent of the crowd was composed of Brits and Americans, while only 20 to 30 percent were Pinoys who were also mostly Fil-Ams. The wealthier Brits could easily afford the tickets, while most Pinoys here had set up small gatherings among friends to watch it in pay per view. I have to say, they were so loud and a number of them were quite arrogant - maybe from drinking. But, one of my friends says that the Brits are really like that. They are used to their way of cheering and expressing which side are they on during football games. Even in the restrooms, you would think that there was a fight, with all of them shouting and vomiting from drinking too much. Many came in wearing costumes. They even converted a British Christmas song “Winter Wonderland” into a Hatton song. They definitely dominated the cheering, compared to the shy and timid Pinoys. Deep in me, I was thinking that the only way to silence the Brits is if Manny knocks out Hatton. That would send a message not to underestimate the Pinoys.
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