Mr. President

First of all, let me congratulate you for an excellent SONA address that was done in the utmost simplicity, and that relates to the many Filipinos who are still fighting poverty. This was for millions of Filipinos to see, hear, and most importantly, understand your real vision of change, which is the true underlying message of your speech.

Last year, you set a very simple example of a President not using the “wang-wang”.  Many took it literally as we really saw the drastic change when we no longer hear such noise on the streets.  That noise somehow depicted how authority was abused by many through the years. In your recent SONA, we realized that the wang-wang you were trying to eliminate also refers to the wang-wang mindset and system. Stopping the wang-wang system is an excellent symbol of a genuine change that you want for this country. It is a powerful message of change we all need to have.

I agree with you, Mr. President, that Filipinos need inspiration to change. The reality of corruption in our generation can be drastically reduced. The culture of pessimism, negativity and crab mentality can also finally end. Over the past few years, our small advocacy in Go

Negosyo has been pushing for this same mindset change among Filipinos to become more positive and enterprising as the way out of poverty. Your example of banishing the wang-wang system symbolizes your determination and earnest desire to see Filipinos change – to make them believe that our usual bad norms can indeed be corrected.

I believe change starts from within, from our mind and heart. To be able to accept this is possible, we need inspiration from a leader who walks the talk. Similarly, Go Negosyo features the success stories of entrepreneurs who come from all sizes–micro, small and medium–each sharing their own stories to inspire Filipinos.  Your wang-wang story, Mr. President, is the story we all have been waiting for: that change is possible and that the government can be wiped clean of corruption; that government employees can once again be proud of their work and understand the true honor of being of great service to fellow

Filipinos. We need a powerful inspiration that will encourage more Filipinos to do their share to help the country, to be productive, to pay correct taxes, and to gain confidence that paid taxes will surely be well spent to help others.

This change in mindset, Mr. President, is truly what will move our country forward. This is not a quick-fix solution to our problem, but the right step to cure us of century-old problems of corruption, poverty and mistrust.

What our country needs today is an inspirational leader, and I am now convinced that your Presidency is not by accident, but by destiny and an answered prayer for the leader that we need at this time. There may be some who may not agree with what I am stating.  Even I had my own reservations at the beginning of your administration, but I definitely understand now and believe in your vision of a change in the wang-wang system. This is our golden opportunity, Mr. President. To see our country gain respect because of an excellent system with high moral standards, an ideal business climate, and the promise of political stability. The Philippines can be now be known for these, aside from being great in boxing and billiards. It is about time that we become well-respected again in Asia and be considered as one of the tiger economies. It gives us the chance to be proud as we travel around the world, to say we are Filipinos! Our OFWs will be happy to say this wherever they are in the

world, to proclaim that our country is doing great!

Yes, Mr. President, you gave one of the simplest speeches I have heard, but with a very clear message – that change is possible and will happen. Congratulations, and in our own humble way, Go Negosyo is your partner in changing the mindset and empowering Filipinos out of poverty.

Respectfully signed,

Joey Concepcion

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In behalf of the Go Negosyo community of entrepreneurship advocates, I would like to greet Philippine Star on their 25th year anniversary. Star has been a great media institution in our country and has been at the forefront of presenting the truth to the Filipinos. Star has also been one with us in helping build an entrepreneurial mindset among the Filipinos. They have been supporting us in our campaign of empowering Filipinos, and I am privileged as well to write in this column and in the Tagumpay column every other Monday. The founder Betty Go-Belmonte was also an entrepreneur at heart, coming from a family of dedicated newspeople. We congratulate the Star and wish you all the best.

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My deepest condolences to my good friend Nando Cojuangco and his family for the demise of his father Pedro Cojuangco. Nando is the CEO of Hacienda Luisita, an intrapreneur who had the biggest task of managing and turning around the family business. We are also deeply affected by the passing away of his aunt, Josephine Cojuangco-Reyes, who collapsed while delivering her eulogy for her elder brother.  During the wake, my mother came to me and told me that it’s a blessing to die that way, in church and by the altar.

The Cojuangco family is a well-respected clan and it is truly moving to see all the Cojuangcos come together to support one another during a time like this.

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Contact me: [email protected] or Joey Concepcion Facebook account. Visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the top rating entrep show GO NEGOSYO: Kaya Mo! on GMA News TV, Saturday and Sunday 8-8:30am. Get daily Go Negosyo Text Tips in your mobile phone by sending GONEGO to 2910.