The MVP Bossings awards night was a gala that gathered some of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs. PLDT SME Nation successfully organized a grand event that provided an air of elegance and sophistication to the Meralco Theater, where the awarding was held for the first time.

That night, I re-joined fellow past MVP Bossings and many other entrepreneurs and personal friends of mine to welcome the new winners to the growing Bossing family. (more…)

Last November 24 was a night for the country’s biggest entrepreneurs. Held at the Meralco Theater for the first time, PLDT SME Nation, in partnership with Go Negosyo, hosted the MVP Bossing Awards, a gala that gathered together all past winners and other entrepreneurs as we declared the Bossings of 2012.

PLDT SME Nation put together a prestigious event that started with cocktails and ended in the wee hours of the morning with the afterparty. The awards ceremony itself featured performances by the Philharmonic orchestra and Powerdance, who unveiled a monumental replica of the MVP Bossing trophy created by renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue. (more…)

In my last Tagumpay column, I’ve started featuring again the success stories of entrepreneurs, starting with the finalists of the Citi Microentrepreneur of the Year. Now that we are on the topic of microentrepreneurs, I’d like to bring the spotlight to some more of the country’s outstanding microentrepreneurs, this time to the winners of the recently concluded 2011 SIPAG Awards.

The Sustainable Income for People in the Agrarian Grassroots (SIPAG) Awards has been running since 2006, and is a program of the National Livelihood Development Corporation, which is headed by NLDC President Usec. Gondelina Amata and NLDC Board of Trustees Chair Ms. Gilda Pico of Landbank of the Philippines. This is the NLDC’s way of recognizing the country’s most outstanding entrepreneurs, who have not only made a better life for themselves, but also for their family and community.
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Almost all our Filipino entrepreneurs are in the micro, small and medium enterprise category. This is why for a couple of years now, Go Negosyo has been partnering with various organizations whose focus is the MSME sector. This month, Go Negosyo lends its support and is also a major partner to the Citi Microentrepreneur of the Year (MOTY) Awards.

I’ve mentioned in my other column, that I and fellow judges Marixi Prieto of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Corporation, Deputy Gov. Nestor Espenilla (for Gov. Amando Tetangco) of the BSP, and Sanjiv Vohra of Citi Philippines selected among the finalists. Citi Philippines, the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, Inc. and the BSP have been running this program for nine years. (more…)

Success knows no limits; not even age. This was proven by the success of the entrepreneurs in Go Negosyo’s 7th book Go Negosyo’s 50 Inspiring Stories of Young Entrepreneurs, which was officially launched last Thursday at the Glorietta 5 Activity Center. Hundreds of people, young and old, celebrated with us in an evening of simple cocktails and book signing.

I would like to thank everyone who supported us in the book launch, starting with Nanay Socorro “Coring” Ramos, the matriarch behind National Bookstore; Esther Vibal, the president of Vibal Publishing House, Inc., and Mang Inasal founder Injap Sia for continuously supporting us in our advocacy and for sharing their thoughts during the event. Special thanks to Jen Real-Lim (who is also featured in the book) and her students from Orange Dance Studio. They literally got the party started with their youthful opening number. As our host, Love Añover was as lively as ever. (more…)

The Young Entrepreneurs Summit left all of us in awe. I remember that I couldn’t help but to be enthusiastic as I welcomed thousands of participants during my speech. I wish that everybody who came could have gotten inside the World Trade Center sooner, but the lines to the venue doors stretched far, reaching beyond the gates. There were so many individuals who decided to take that step in taking control of their lives on that day, and we were really astounded.

We really owe it to the lot of people who helped us out in making this event successful. Gibo Teodoro privileged us by making a rare appearance and gave a compelling, extemporaneous speech to students who really lent all ears. Manny V. Pangilinan, whom we tried to get to speak at the event for weeks, gave insightful lessons about entrepreneurship in the current business landscape. Then of course, we’re thankful to the speakers we know the youth listen to today, and true enough, they were such a hit that the hall roared with laughter and applause for every important point they made.

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Last Friday, we celebrated the third Go Negosyo Young Entrepreneurs Summit at the World Trade Center. We were overwhelmed by more than 15,000 micro and small entrepreneurs and students who participated, with some even coming from Batangas and Laguna. In behalf of the team, I would like to thank Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, former Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro and Manny Pangilinan for helping us spread inspiration during our event.

The summit had been both educational and inspiring with the help of our notable speakers which include Bro. Bo Sanchez, Mike Enriquez, Michael Angelo Lobrin, Henry Tenedero, Roselle Ambubuyog and Josiah Go. Our Trustees Esther Vibal and Tennyson Chen also joined other Go Negosyo advocates such as CHED Chair Particia Licuanan, DTI Usec. Meryl Cruz, NYC Chair Usec. Leon G. Flores III, Edgardo Herbosa and our Young STARpreneur awardees for the morning forum on how they achieved success and their advice to those who are starting their negosyos. Meanwhile, Go Negosyo Trustees Rosalind Wee and Felix Ang also celebrated with us and were part of the program to show their support to the entrepreneurship advocacy. (more…)

Time flies by so fast. The “ber” months has already started, but it seems like it was just yesterday when we packed our bags and headed on to our first destination for our 2011 Go Negosyo – DTI Provincial Caravan. This series of Negosems, aimed at further spreading the entrepreneurship advocacy in all parts of the country, is just one of our major projects this year in an effort to reach out to more Filipinos who need inspiration and empowerment the most.

In the previous columns, I gave you a glimpse of the noble work of negosyantes in Bukidnon and Mindoro who are greatly contributing to the development of their respective regions through their own negosyos. For our next stop, Go Negosyo flew to Western Visayas to meet the entreps who are doing the same for Region VI; and for a day filled with learning in the province of Antique. (more…)

Six years ago, we started Go Negosyo in response to the call for steps to ease the alarming poverty in the country. Our mission was and has always been to educate, empower and encourage Filipinos to venture into entrepreneurship so that they may enjoy more comfortable, dignified lives. We believe that these –changing mindsets and imparting entrepreneurial skills they need to support themselves— are our share in providing a long-term solution to alleviating poverty in the Philippines.

Through the years, we have seen Filipinos embrace the Go Negosyo advocacy, take charge of their lives and put up their own negosyos. But more importantly, we have witnessed the empowerment and the rise of a growing number of social entrepreneurs, who are striving to address different social issues through their negosyos. This, of course, is a clear indication that the mindset of Filipinos towards society and entrepreneurship have changed. But, there is still more to be done to make this part of the mainstream consciousness. (more…)

Every year, RFM together with National Bookstore and PLDT recognize ten of the country’s brightest students. This year is extra special because we are celebrating the 150th year anniversary of Jose Rizal,  the inspiration behind TOSP, the 50th founding anniversary of TOSP as well as the TOSP Alumni Community’s 10th year anniversary themed BAYANi.  TOSP is a project that my father started in his younger days, which I restarted in the late 80s when the Yellow Revolution brought back Democracy. Today, my sister Marie runs the foundation’s day to day affairs.

During the event at Malacañang, I sat beside Executive Sec. Paquito Ochoa who delivered an inspiring speech as President Aquino could not make it. The ceremony was very touching as all the ten finalists and their parents had tears in their eyes, realizing the challenges they were able to overcome.

Here are their stories… (more…)