Last April 30, the Go Negosyo wrapped up the month of April with its 13th NegoSem (or Negosyo Seminar) in the series of 20 for the Department of Trade and Industry One-Town-One-Product MSMEs. The NegoSem for Region VIII was held at the DPWH Multi-Purpose Hall in Palo, Leyte, and was attended by over 524 entrepreneurs, students and aspiring negosyantes from all over the region.
Go Negosyo’s Paul Gorgonio and Ina Flores hosted the seminar. DTI Region VIII Officer-In-Charge Desiderio P. Belas, Jr. in his opening remarks challenged the provincial delegations to maximize the opportunity offered to them by the fruitful partnership between Go Negosyo and DTI. Afterwards, Go Negosyo Executive Director Ramon M. Lopez gave the participants an overview about the foundation and the NegoSem framework.
A forum featuring inspiring entrepreneurs also helped set the day’s mood. Go Negosyo advocate Alvin Kingston Tan, owner of Technominds, Inc. and winner of the 1st Nokia Mobile Entrepreneur Award, talked about his challenges as a young, inexperienced entrepreneur, having had to “learn things the hard way”. Leyte-grown entrepreneur Theresa Ortega, co-owner of Leyte Deli, imparted about the value of having passion for your business, which she believes is what will keep you persevering despite the trials that you will face.
Angelpreneurs present in the Region 8 leg were Ardy Roberto, Chairman of Salt & Light Ventures, Inc.; Francisco ‘Pax’ Lapid, Dean of the Entrepreneurs School of Asia; Prof. Reuel Virtucio, Executive Director of Punla sa Tao Foundation; Eduardo Pilapil Jr., CEO of Salt & Light Ventures, Inc.,; and Marites Dimaculangan, Managing Partner of Dimaculangan, Dimaculangan and Co. CPAs.
DTI Leyte Officer-In-Charge Ma. Delia Corsiga closed the seminar, who was delighted to witness the large crowd stay and finish the program beyond 6:00 PM. OIC Corsiga was also able to share a significant finding from their on-site survey: Participants found ‘Education and Training’ as the type of assistance they need from DTI the most – deviating from their usual request for ‘Financial Assistance’. This goes to show how our aspiring entrepreneurs are enlightened about the importance of having the right product for the right market, and not using lack of capital as a hindrance to starting a business.
