Last week, I showcased the entrepreneurs that Go Negosyo met in Bukidnon as we kicked off our 2011 SME Caravan with the help of the DTI. Region X was just the start of our journey around the country in our quest to spread entrepreneurial education and mindset change even in the remotest provinces in the Philippines. After Bukidnon, we headed to Region IV— in the province of Oriental Mindoro.

With the assistance of DTI, lead by DTI CESO IV Regional Director Joel Varela and DTI Provincial Director for Oriental Mindoro Oscar Agbay, we were able to share inspiration and entrepreneurial knowhow to more than 300 locals who took part in the forum and the Negosem (Negosyo Seminar) that were held at the Filipiniana Hotel in Calapan City. Of course, spreading the entrepreneurial advocacy would not be possible if not for our Go Negosyo Angelpreneurs and advocates Paolo Tibig and Ed Pilapil, who shared their expertise on mindset change and spotting opportunities as well as marketing and product development. We are also grateful to Hon. Vice Gov. Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor for welcoming Go Negosyo to the island of Oriental Mindoro. (more…)

Go Negosyo, along with the MSMED Council, has just recently celebrated the SME Development Week at the Philippine Trade Training Center in Manila. The week-long celebrations, spearheaded by the DTI-MSMED, happens every second week of July each year. And for 2011, the highlight of the nationwide event was the SME Summit last July 7th— themed “Pinoy SME: Business Tayo!”

DTI Secretary Gregory Domingo, who is also the chairman of the MSMED Council, gave an overview of the importance of SME development in country, while Usec. Merly Cruz of the DTI Regional Operations Group presented the SME Development Plan for 2011-2016. There was also a forum hosted by Go Negosyo that was joined in by yours truly and by Go Negosyo advocate Prudencio Garcia, the CEO of Mekeni Foods. One of the highlights of the summit was the presentation of the SME Pledge Book to Sec. Greg. As Vice-Chairman of the MSMED Council, it was a privilege for me to handover the testament of our commitment and support to foster a nurturing environment for SME growth nationwide. (more…)

Each year, as Go Negosyo becomes older and as we reach out to different provinces all-over the country, I cannot help but be amazed by the blessings that we have been receiving. For almost six years now, Go Negosyo was able to empower and enlighten Filipinos even in faraway provinces because of the community of advocates, entrepreneurs and mentors who have been keeping the entrepreneurship advocacy alive. Because of them, we wouldn’t be able to touch as many lives as we have now. And now, their efforts have put us in Forbes’ list of 48 Philanthropists of the Year.

In celebration of Go Negosyo’s 6th year anniversary, we hosted an evening of “Pasasalamat” for our entrep advocates, Angelpreneurs and partners who have been helping spread the advocacy. And despite the rains from typhoon Falcon, we are very happy that many have made it to the celebration. I took the opportunity to thank and honor them not only for sharing their time and knowledge, but also for their financial support that have allowed us to reach out to more Filipinos.

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This Father’s Day, like in the past, is a time that we honor our father’s role as head of the family. I am a father myself to five children; and my father, Joecon, is father to eight children and 29 grandchildren. In celebration of Father’s Day, it is but fitting that we share the stories of these four fathers as told by their children who pay tribute to them to reflect on the roles of our fathers and our roles as children.

Let’s take a look at the inspiring stories of these men whose determination, hard work, and courage have not only given their families a better future and a comfortable life, but have also provided livelihood to others so that they, too, can have a better quality of life. Let me share with you some of the successful and inspiring fathers in negosyo… (more…)

One of the biggest challenges of Go Negosyo is to change the mindset of Filipinos towards entrepreneurship. Many are still not convinced that venturing into negosyo can truly help in uplifting their quality of life. Others are hopeful, but they have no idea what negosyo to start. There are also those who are intimidated by the misconceptions that running a negosyo is all about crunching numbers or that only those who have a degree in business will succeed as an entrepreneur.

But most of us who are entrepreneurs know this is not true. Truth is, anyone who has a dream of moving up in life, has ideas and is willing to work hard can be a successful entrepreneur—regardless of status in life, age or even educational background. Let me share with you more stories of successful Filipino entrepreneurs to inspire you to get into negosyo and to prove that life as an entrepreneur can also be exciting and fun.
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One of the biggest challenges of Go Negosyo is to change the mindset of Filipinos towards entrepreneurship. Many are still not convinced that venturing into negosyo can truly help in uplifting their quality of life. Others are hopeful, but they have no idea what negosyo to start. There are also those who are intimidated by the misconceptions that running a negosyo is all about crunching numbers or that only those who have a degree in business will succeed as an entrepreneur.

But most of us who are entrepreneurs know this is not true. Truth is, anyone who has a dream of moving up in life, has ideas and is willing to work hard can be a successful entrepreneur—regardless of status in life, age or even educational background. Let me share with you more stories of successful Filipino entrepreneurs to inspire you to get into negosyo and to prove that life as an entrepreneur can also be exciting and fun. (more…)

When this Tagumpay column started a year ago, the idea was to feature success stories of entrepreneurs whose lives serve as great inspirations. It is something that we all need in our lives to continue motivating ourselves to achieve our dreams as inspirations become our fuel. And as our own stories serve as inspiration to others, we also get inspired by the stories of others. This Tagumpay column provides that fuel we all need to face life’s challenges.

This time around, allow me to give tribute to my lifetime partner who was able to fuel me to get where I am today and have what I have now—one great, happy family. My wife, Marissa Orosa Concepcion, celebrates her golden year this week. This is our Tagumpay story.

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This year, Avon International celebrates its 125th anniversary of fulfilling women’s dreams. Also, on this same year, Avon Philippines celebrates its 33rd anniversary in the country. And, most importantly this year, Go Negosyo and Avon celebrate the beginning of great partnership. Together, with many reasons to celebrate, we do encourage Filipinos to “believe to succeed.”

In the Philippines, majority of microentrepreneurs are women. A lot of successful companies and businesses out there were also founded and are currently run by women of different ages. I think people would agree that women have this natural entrepreneurial inclination. (more…)

For an advocacy like Go Negosyo, partnerships with corporations go a long, long way. Inspiring hundreds of thousands of Filipinos all throughout the country would not have been possible without the sustained support of our partners. They are the heroes who share our dream of empowering Filipinos and of building an entrepreneurial nation. They are taking the journey with us to make sure our dream of a better life for those who have less in life becomes a reality.

A champion of the Go Negosyo advocacy is PLDT SME Nation, led by PLDT Senior Vice President Eric Alberto and PLDT Vice President Kat Luna-Abelarde. Last time, I shared with you the inspiring heroes of the Bossing Ako Campaign, a joint project of Go Negosyo and PLDT SME Nation. It’s just one of the many projects we have collaborated on to further encourage aspiring entrepreneurs to find success in negosyo. (more…)

PLDT SME Nation, in partnership with Go Negosyo, recently unveiled the 2011 Bossing Ako Campaign aimed to empower and encourage Filipinos to be their own Bossings by venturing into negosyo. The campaign is also our tribute to the SME Bossings whom we consider as modern day heroes of Entrepreneurship.

Let me share with you this year’s roster of SME Bossings whose contributions to Entrepreneurship have touched the lives of thousands of Filipinos… (more…)