Throughout Michael Jackson’s memorial, the whole world was tuned in. Many of us, whose teenage and courtship days were during the MJ era, were quite deeply moved.
My children, nephews and nieces turned into their own version of MJ. Fans are buying and downloading his music over the Internet. Even my kids, who said that our music was ancient, were emotional over MJ’s death. In fact, they stayed up late for the memorial, while I just watched the replay.
Even with the death of an icon who brought us inspiration through his music, we have to move on as life, for all of us, is just a moment in time.
The other day, I got an SMS from my sisters. Our cousin, John Santos Ocampo, died of a heart attack. He was in good shape and has just celebrated his 20th wedding anniversary. He was also just about to celebrate his 50th birthday.
Richard Sandoval, who was our sugar supplier in Cosmos back then, went biking with a couple of friends as he was trying his new bike. He met an accident and died on the spot. I extend my condolences to his family.
It may be difficult to understand why these things happen. But, we just have to focus on how these people have inspired us while they were alive. Let us look around and learn from the lives of those who have brought about positive and inspiring stories.
In some way, Go Negosyo shares the inspiring stories of different people. We have seen a lot of Filipinos inspired with stories of people who have struggled in life as entrepreneurs or as students who received the TOSP awards. All of them did not give up. They overcame the struggles. This is why the Go Negosyo books have been bestsellers.
Late last week, PLDT SME Nation launched the “Negosyo Boost”. It is the newest product of PLDT made especially for people who would like to grow their start up business. It offers three different packages that include DSL connectivity, voice services and hardware such as netbooks and printers.
PLDT has been supporting our advocacy for quite sometime. This time, I told PLDT Senior Vice President Eric Alberto that I am glad he used the word “NEGOSYO” since it helps us promote the Negosyo advocacy to more people.
When I delivered my message at the launch of the Negosyo Boost, I told them the success story of our Condura Negosyo Ref. When my cousin used the brand Condura Negosyo Ref, it became the fastest selling brand in the market. It has brought our refrigerator brand to almost number one in the Philippines. They designed it well for the profitability of those who will be using it in their negosyo. The biggest buyers were the mothers who said that “if it is good for a negosyo, then it will also be good for my home”.
More and more companies, foundations, and non-government organizations have been partnering with Go Negosyo. We are willing to help as best as we can. It is only through big companies from the private sector and negosyo enablers that entreps are mentored and supported. We hold their hands until they are able to walk on their own. There are also inspiring government agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, and Department of Science and Technology.
The success in creating an enterprising environment is through the encouragement of all the enablers to also motivate and assist as many entrepreneurs as we can. As we mounted the Negosyo MSME Summit last week, we were privileged to partner with the DTI MSME family led by Sec. Peter Favila, Usec. Merle Cruz, Asec. Angel Pelayo, Dir. Dodit Leano, and our MSMED Council. The Summit deliberated on new policies and program initiatives to promote more innovative and vibrant MSME’s. We also thank all the panelists and moderators who helped make the Summit a success.
Let me congratulate the recipients of the awards and citations from no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the Negosyo MSME Summit. Thank you for helping build the entrepreneurship community.
2009 PRESIDENTIAL CITATIONS FOR BEST PRACTICES:
• Dr. Volker Steigerwald, German Technical [GTZ Private Sector Promotion (SMEDSEP) Program]
• Mayor Arturo Angara, Municipal Government of Baler, Aurora [Streamlining of Business Permits and Other Licenses]
• Mayor Bartolome Ramos, Municipal Government of Sta. Maria, Bulacan [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]
• Mayor Marcial Vargas, Municipal Government of Aliaga, Nueva Ecija [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit and Business Licenses]
• Mayor Nenito Santos, Municipal Government of Talavera, Nueva Ecija [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]
• Mayor Efren Cruz, Municipal Government of Hermosa, Bataan [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]
• Gerald Patrick Nepomuceno, City Government of Angeles, Pampanga [Business Permit and Licensing System in the B.O.S.S. of the Angeles City Government]
• Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, City Government of San Fernando, Pampanga [Streamlining Program on the Issuance of Mayor’s Permit]
• Vice Mayor Rene Gaudiel, City Government of Bayawan, Negros Oriental [Simplified Procedure for Business Permits and Licenses Renewal Project]
• Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., Provincial Government of Camarines Sur [Tourism Development Project]
• Sy Yap Chua, Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. [Chinese Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI) SME Center]
• Sr. Preciosa Rusiana, RVM, St. Mary’s College Tagum City, Davao del Norte [SMC-Business Resource Center]
• Julette Botor-Lacuin, Baao Multi-Purpose Cooperative [Aflatoun, Agricultural, Salary, Damayang Pangkalusugan and Social Financing Programs]
• Gerry Lab-oyan, Cooperative Bank of Benguet [MSME Financing Programs]
• Fr. Jose Victor Lobrigo, Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc. [Microfinance Programs]
• Vicente Paterno, MASICAP MSME Development Foundation, Inc. [Medium and Small Scale Industries Coordinated Action Program II (MASICAP II)]
• Dolores Torres, CARD Bank, Inc [CARD e-System]
• Aurelio Luis Montinola III, Bank of the Philippine Islands [For overcompliance as per R.A. 9501 of its mandatory lending to MSMEs]
• Ambassador Jesus Tambunting, Planters Development Bank [for overcompliance as per R.A. 9501 of its mandatory lending to MSMEs]
• Gil Verallo, Fair Bank [for overcompliance as per R.A. 9501 of its mandatory lending to MSMEs]
• Jenifer Cruz, Cebu-GTH Foundation and DTI Region VII Office [Subcontracting Partners for Innovation (SPIN) Program]
• Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Municipal Government of CANDABA [FARM FRESH (Bagsakan ng Bayan)]
• Mayor Wilfredo Paraiso, Municipal Government of Lumban, Laguna [Burdang Lumban Festival]
• Dir. Edmund B. Benavidez, St. Louie University Extension Institute for Small Scale Industries Foundation, Inc. [Benguet Beekeeping Project]
• Engr. Michael Cases, Inglass Sardines of Dipolog Association [Productivity and Efficiency Program for ISDA under its Clustering Program]
• Ciriaco Lagunzad, National Wages and Productivity Commission and the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards [ISTIV Productivity Program]
2009 PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING MSMEs:
• Roger Munda, Roger and Beth Pilinut Candy
• Rose Marie Madejanon, Dood’s Enterprises
• Benjamin Lao, Lao Integrated Farm
• Maria Lydia Lomibao, J. Emmanuel Pastries
• Guidon dela Cruz, President Filbake Food Corporation
• Pedro Barrios, Manolette Bakeshop
• Arturo Tabbu, Lighthouse Cooperative
• Isabel Lovina, Vicmik Enterprises
• Rizalie Calma, AMS Employees Fresh Fruits Producer Cooperative
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For feedback, email me at gonegosyo@yahoo.com, or thru my Joey Concepcion Facebook account, or thru SMS at 09189656333. For free business advice, visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the GO NEGOSYO: Kaya Mo! Show in QTV, every Saturday and Sunday 8 to 8:30 a.m., with replays in NBN every Sunday 9:15 to 10 p.m.