President Rodrigo Duterte led the recognition of the latest batch of our Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs in our 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit on March 6, 2018. Together with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, we awarded 20 Filipina entrepreneurs who have greatly contributed and excelled in their respective fields. The award ceremony was the last part of the summit which is the biggest women Negosyo summit of the year and was attended by more than 15,000 participants composed of entrepreneurs, advocates, and students.

Here are some of the highlights of the event.

President Duterte said, “I thank Go Negosyo for its effort in providing opportunities for the country’s MSMEs, particularly for women entrepreneurship to expand and improve their business.”

Chal Lontoc and Mike Lobrin were the overall hosts of the summit and interviewed some guests at the red-carpet entrance.

Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion in his speech said, “Don’t stop dreaming, all you have to do is work hard and continue to be passionate in what you do, and you will succeed. Filipinos were never destined for poverty.”

Tessie Sy-Coson, Vice Chair of SM Investments, shared how she is mentored by her father, Mr. Henry Sy. She shared, “The best mentor is pressure. Of course, we learn from everyone in the organization. It’s true you can learn from everyone but the mentor I really look up to is my father.”

Dr. Vicki Belo, CEO of Belo Medical Group, related her experience in her younger years when she was bullied for her looks which pushed her to pursue her dream in dermatology.

“I think when we talk about scaling up, we need government support and networking,” shared Lizzie Eder Zobel, Chairman of Teach for the Philippines.

Celebrity-entrepreneur Anne Curtis appreciated the value of mentorship as she too is being mentored by her business partner. “It’s very important that you find someone who will discipline you, it’s very important you find someone in your company that knows what they are doing.” Anne is the co-founder and creative director of the 5-month old start-up enterprise, BLK Cosmetics.

Forum 2 discussed mainstreaming market access and expanding market reach and featured Inanc Balci (Lazada Philippines), Constantin Robertz (Zalora Philippines), Jeannie Javelosa (GREAT WOMEN and ECHOstore), Atty. Paul Santos (Philippine Retailers Association), and Norlela Suhailee (ASEAN Coordinating Committee for MSMEs) and was moderated by Bettina Quimson.

RJ Ledesma moderated the discussion on access to money.

Forum 4 featured women innovators and disruptors including Carol Orosa (Home Care Assistance), Mah Khine Zaw (Earth Group of Companies), Margarita Fores (Cibo), Neri Miranda, Charisse Tinio (Nice Print Photography), Lenora Cabili (Filip+Inna), Josie Costales (Costales Nature Farms), Rissa Mananquil-Trillo (Happy Skin), Felicia Atienza (Chinese International School Manila) and moderated by Karen Davila. Also in photo are Joey Concepcion and Alice Eduardo.

Karen Davila led the discussion of women innovators and disruptors.

Celebrity host Gretchen Ho moderated the panel of young entrepreneurs.

Go Negosyo also had the largest one-on-one mentoring session with around 200 mentors who volunteered to give business tips to the participants who lined up on different areas of entrepreneurship.

The summit ended on a high note with the performance of 4^th Impact of X Factor UK.

Article source:  Go Negosyo http://www.gonegosyo.net/