Everyone seems excited to see real change happen, especially in moral ascendancy, as the campaign platform of President Noynoy or PNoy is “labanan ang korupsyon”. PNoy delivered an impressive speech with a simple straightforward message during his inauguration. He even mentioned the removal of the wang-wangs or the use of sirens on the roads. Although, I don’t think it is practical for him as president to do so if he is to move around attending functions. On the other hand, if he does it to set an example, why not? I am sure PNoy is getting numerous messages and unsolicited advice from all the columnists. He will have an overload of advice. But, let us add to those by sharing with him and the public the advice of Go Negosyo advocates.

As I am fond of getting the views of my fellow entrepreneurs, I asked different negosyantes from different industries to share some of their ideas. How do they see President Noynoy changing this country? With the new administration, what changes do they expect in the country? What is their advice to President Noynoy?
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Last April 26 and 27, I was chosen to be a delegate of the Philippines for President Barack Obama’s first Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington, together with another entrepreneurship advocate – Bai Sandra Basar. She is a mother and an entrepreneur, who is actively involved in entrepreneurship development in the country especially in different Muslim communities. Bai Sandra and I were the two representatives of the Philippines for the summit.
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As school season approaches, I decided to feature three young entrepreneurs for this Tagumpay column.

I am a parent with two of my children in college. One is about to finish. I am glad that many schools have started to integrate entrepreneurship into the business management programs and others school programs. Even in high school, the Department of Education has been encouraging entrepreneurship subjects. DepEd have also been encouraging students to participate in many of our Go Negosyo events all over the country.

The level of awareness of being an entrepreneur as an alternative to being employed has increased since our advocacy started. Our books continue to be bestsellers, which are admired by many young people who want to be entrepreneurs.
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For the past four years, I have had the privilege of meeting a number of genuinely inspiring entrepreneurs. While every entrepreneur has as different success story to tell, each story has a different learning experience and a distinct inspirational side to it.

The stories of Nanay Socorro Ramos, Dr. Helena Benitez, and Mrs. Esther Vibal are inspirational and moving. At an accomplished, experienced and thriving age, they maintain the right attitude towards life and they ensure that the family they have continues their legacy. Their efforts are geared towards helping communities.
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Today, a new president and vice president will be elected. While surveys may have shown Noynoy’s lead increasing, the real test will be the actual votes to be cast today. It’s anybody’s game at this point.

Over the past months, the people’s attention has been in politics. After nine years, the Philippines will see a new president. Some are even desperate to see a new leadership. PGMA has been there for nine years now. It is quite a long time for some people who felt that she has not done well for the country. Those who feel that she has moved this country forward with her economic programs appreciated those nine years and would want to ensure the continuity of the good things she has done.

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As we know, both Manny Villar and Noynoy Aquino are in a close fight to be the country’s future president. While we do have a lot of entrepreneurs in the country, many of them are at the micro level who need capacity support (e.g., technical, marketing and financial support). The challenge is for the next President to continue what has been started by this government and Go Negosyo to help microentreps move up to become small and eventually medium and large-sized operation.

This support must include training, active mentorship, and networking. It can be done through organizations by using their existing businesses to act as a big brother or through micro-lending organizations that will not only lend money but provide training and mentorship.

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The Holy Week allowed us to reflect on our lives and our relationship with God. We somehow got to work on our spiritual side, which admittedly is always a rewarding experience. We got spiritual nourishment through the various recollections, homilies and sharing we had with our relatives, friends and spiritual leaders. In a way, they always serve as our mentors in our spiritual journey.

For the past five years of the Go Negosyo advocacy, the importance of mentorship has grown. We have the overwhelming support of more than 600 entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship mentors. They are what we refer to as Angelprenuers.

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March is Women’s Month. It is a reminder of the roles that women play in our lives. They are mothers to our children, sisters, daughters, wives and natural born entrepreneurs.

Most micro entrepreneurs in the Philippines are women. This can be observed from those who borrow from MFIs and rural banks. Women in politics are also becoming quite common, as we have PGMA who has been the longest serving president next to Marcos. The impact of women power is surely strongly felt compared to a decade ago. More women are taking important roles in our society.

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In celebration of Women’s Month, today we open the Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit at the World Trade Center in Pasay. Our theme, “Babae, tagumpay ka ng bayan!”, says it all.

As we celebrate this month for women, we are also giving the very first Go Negosyo – Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) “Inspiring Women of the Year Award”. This award recognizes highly-respected Filipinas who have not only excelled in their fields but also embody admirable traits of compassion, concern for others and care for community, and integrity. These women are known for their advocacies, their entrepreneurial and optimistic mindset, as well as their belief in promoting women’s rights.
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Who is a social entrepreneur? Books and sources would suggest that a social entrepreneur is someone who identifies a social problem and uses entrepreneurial skills and concepts to bring about change and provide solutions.

Many people think that when one is a social entrepreneur, there is no money to be made. However, a good social entrepreneur needs to make money for him to sustain his business model, to be able to continue helping others.
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