MANILA, Philippines - Hundreds of college students joined the Young Entrepreneurs’ Summit (YES) in Cagayan de Oro City where first-rate speakers motivated them to pursue a career in business and entrepreneurship as a way out of poverty.
Sen. Manuel Villar – one of the country’s leading entrepreneurs before joining politics – led a select group of speakers in urging students to be self-sufficient and productive members of society.
Sharing his insights and personal experience as a struggling businessman, he told the more than 600 students attending the summit to always persevere even in the face of great adversity. The senator said he was happy that young students were enthusiastic about attending business forums like YES.
The summit was initiated by the Xavier University School of Business and Management Student Council (XU-SBMSC) and supported by the Movement for Better Values. Its chairman Jun Villacorta said he was pleased that students were inspired to pursue a career as entrepreneurs after listening to Villar and other speakers which included former National Power Corp. president Guido Delgado on entrepreneurship; Bobby Ansaldo on social marketing; Bong Buot, CEO of RBJ Comtrex, a pharma distribution company; Susan Khio, a former medical representative turned fast food operator; Michael Ho, student-entrepreneur who is now an event organizer; and Jun Tagud, chairman and CEO of Negros Navigation.
The next YES is scheduled in October in Davao City where about 4,000 students are expected to attend.