This week, I arrived in Washington DC to attend President Obama’s Presidential Entrepreneurship Summit. I arrived with my family, since it is also our summer vacation here in the States. We try to make the vacation an annual thing for bonding moments. The summit just fit right into our itinerary. My kids were more excited about me getting to see Obama and Clinton.

Bai Sandra Basar, from Cotobato City, was the other participant who represented the Philippines. She is a mother who sends her only child to La Salle Taft. She is also an entrepreneur and an energetic woman who is not shy to approach people in the summit. I guess this is why USAID chose her to join the summit. Bai Sandra is quite active in Cotobato – a place which we all know has issues. She has been active in the business community. And, yes, Bai Sandra is a Filipina Muslim. I told her that I think I was the only Christian participant in the summit but it didn’t bother me. The two-day experience made me reinforce my realization that Muslims do have the same vision as Christians. We all have the same goal of helping the poor through entrepreneurship. There were about 250 people from 50 countries.

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As we approach May 10, all eyes are set on who will be the next president of our country. A number of Filipinos still believe that each Filipino’s destiny fully relies on the next president.

If the new leadership can continue or better the macro environment, there will be a conducive setting for business in the Philippines. But, the rest is up to us to create our own destiny. Let us stop blaming government for all our misery, unless we fall back to a dictatorship. For as long as we are in a democratic rule where free enterprise is respected, everybody has a good chance to succeed. Many who are below the poverty line will blame the government or other groups for where they are today. This is what Go Negosyo wants to change.
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As we get closer to election, family members seem to have divided views on their choice for president. In our case, my father (coming from his NAMFREL days) says that he is neutral. But, I know his heart is for yellow, having served under Former President Cory as DTI Secretary. Some would be for Gibo or Villar. My two brothers are for Nonoy because of their own reasons.

On the other hand, I am for the person who would bring about an exciting negosyo climate -someone who would understand that the solution to poverty is by helping more people believe that their destiny is not determined with what the government will do but what attitude they have to overcome poverty.
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We have 45 days to make our bet for the elections. I don’t mean betting money on who will be the next president. I mean betting on a successful election. There has been so much talk about the failure of election from the same people who have been so negative about this country.

We have our own choices, whether orange, yellow, or green or others. Whoever wins, Philippines Inc. will be winning big, PROVIDED that the next President will be someone who will unite this nation, who will not be vindictive, who will continue to focus on developing the economy and providing entrepreneurs that right climate to grow their business. Whoever comes out victorious, he must think of how the Philippines have struggled through so many crises and yet continues to progress. Despite the challenges in the world economy, we still see progress in our country.
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This Holy Week gives us time to reflect on our spiritual life. Normally, we are reminded by our parents or wife to go to confession during the Lenten Season and do the Stations of the Cross. My wife ensures that all of us in the family do go to confession and complete the Stations of the Cross, something my mother made sure we did when we were growing up. I would tend to argue that anyway I would commit the same sin or that I can confess to God directly.

The challenge of many entrepreneurs is that sometimes, we would place our spiritual priorities last as we get into more work. Sometimes, we tend to forget the real Source of whatever success or blessings we receive. This is when we need our co-pilots in life, our spouses, to keep the balance and give us reminders.

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