Celso Valdecañas spent his early childhood shining shoes for older men and selling ice drop and newspaper in a small barrio in Bataan. His mother died when he was just three years old. Left with his father who cannot figure out how to feed four children, Celso knew he had to fend for himself at an early age.
Today, after decades of hard work and strength of will to survive, Celso happily enjoys his well-earned success with his family. He now serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the five businesses that he owns: VL Construction; VL Realty & Brokerage Company; Joyous Group Developers, Inc.; Eternal Shrine Memorial Park; and Santuario Garden & Chapels.
Celso’s story is only one among the eight that is told and recognized at the Go Negosyo Caravan sa Bataan today at the Bataan People’s Center.
Go Negosyo is recognizing to the “Most Inspiring Bataeño Entrpreneurs and Micro Entrepreneurs from the province, who will serve as inspiration and role models not only for the Bataeños but also for the rest of the Filipinos. These are entrepreneurs and microentrepreneurs who have not only excelled in business, but are good role models who have good standing and reputation in the local community, and provide employment in the area.
Another remarkable story is the journey of Miguel Mateo. He worked as a construction laborer at the age of 18. He did not have the chance to take up college because of poverty. Miguel grabbed the chance and placed his best foot forward when his foreman passed on a job to him. The salary he received from the project’s success enabled him to buy his first machine, which he used in making furniture. From there, Miguel built a small furniture shop that eventually grew into one of Bataan’s biggest. Now, Mcdo Furniture Shop, as Miguel named after his son, continues to produce quality products and a reputation in Bataan and other provinces.
Armanda Battad also has her own story to tell. She started her business with an initial capital of Php 3,000. With that amount, she tried to buy and sell small volumes of dried fish from neighbors to nearby provinces. With her strong determination and dedication to make her business work, she gained the trust and confidence of various government agencies. Her business, Amanda’s Marine Products, received technical and financial support from various agencies. Armanda’s business continues to embark on new developments to improve existing products and develop new lines.
Consul Eduardo De Guzman is now the Chairman and President of multiple companies all over the country. Who would have thought that the forerunner of his many business endeavors also came from a simple beginning? Consul De Guzman started Sky Freight Brokerage in a barely furnished one-room office with an initial staff of five. At present, this 100% Filipino-owned-company continues its 40 years of experience in operating and delivering superior logistics services nationwide.
Like Consul De Guzman, Elvira Tamayo also remembers her first move in undertaking a business. After six years of being employed, Elvira and her husband managed to save money, which they used to buy a fishing boat and two piglets. From there, they were able to acquire five more fishing boats, which encouraged Elvira to start processing bagoong. This enabled them to construct their own house, expand the business and provide the best education and convenient life for their children. From Elvie’s Special Bagoong and Johnna-Jojie Fishing Boats, the couple also invested in backyard piggery and conventional poultry.
While some entrepreneurs may not have started from rags, they have also earned and worked hard for their present success.
Lorna Belen inherited a hardware store from her mother. Her business exposure coupled with her formal education led her to expand the store operations. Lorna generated improved sales and income through wholesaling, aggressive pricing and good business relationship with suppliers. The old hardware transformed into what it is known in the whole of Bataan today – the Bataan Commercial Enterprises.
Similar to Lorna, Elizabeth Lim-Sioson also assumed the ownership and management of their family bakery and grocery from her parents. The bakery was known for a quality line of bakery products from ordinary to special breads delivered to different towns in Bataan. With her vision to aspire for continuous growth and development in the business, Elizabeth transformed and expanded the Elizabeth Bakery and Grocery into the Elizabeth Group of Stores with multiple businesses such as the Elizabeth Bodega Sale, Elizabeth Supermarket Dinalupihan, Elizabeth Convenience Store, Elizabeth Supermarket Balanga, Elizabeth Convenience Store, among many others.
The name Oscar Banzon would surely ring a bell to the Bataeño community. He is one of the most reputable entrepreneurs who made a name for himself and his businesses in Bataan, as well as in different parts of the country. Oscar is currently the president of his three well-established businesses that are deeply-rooted in Bataan: ABESCO Construction & Development Corp., Crown Royale Hotel and Resort Corp. and Magnoliaone Development Corp.
Spearheaded by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo Founder Joey Concepcion, the group has joined forces with the local government officials led by Governor Enrique Garcia, Congressman Albert Garcia, and Balanga City Mayor Joet Garcia in putting up the “Go Negosyo Caravan sa Bataan”. The Bataan Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by President Paolo Tibig, Department of Industry Provincial Director Yay Lasam, Provincial Bataan Cooperative Development Council led by Azucena Sugatain all helped organized the caravan. There are forums, expos and actual lectures that touch on the basics of entrepreneurship.
Go Negosyo Caravan sa Bataan is open to the public for free. Go Negosyo invites participants from the different communities and barangays of the Bataan province, Micro Finance Institutions, Rural Bank, and Cooperatives, together with their members and many MSME borrowers to be part of their learning audience.
Go Negosyo Caravan sa Bataan would not have been possible without the support of partners and sponsors: Provincial Government of Bataan, City Government of Balanga, Bataan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Inc., Bataan Cooperative Development Office, Department of Trade & Industry, Department of Education, PLDT SME-Nation, Smart, Nokia, RFM, Insular Life, Citi & Citi Foundation, PAGCOR, Unilever, Alo Youth, Vitwater, San Miguel Corporation, Philweb, V-Cargo, Profood, Splash, BPI Family Savings Bank, Landbank, Crown Royale Hotel, Free Life Philippines, Camaya Coast, Julie’s Bakeshop, KServico, Santol Marketing, Sunlife Philippines, Metro Mall, Jollibee, QTV, NBN, The Philippine Star, The Philippine Daily Inquirer, AIM Alumni Association, FINEX, RBAP, President’s Social Fund, Alakor, Cebuana Lhuillier, and Paramount Life General Insurance.
