Age-defying success

MANILA, Philippines - Last Oct. 12 was the awarding of the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. It was not a surprise to see Erramon Aboitiz win the 2011 Entrepreneur of the Year Award, making him the Philippines’ representative to Monaco. He and his team have really made the Aboitiz group of companies one of the most successful conglomerates in the country today.

I was with last year’s winner, Bounty Fresh founder Tennyson Chen during the proceedings and Nanay Coring, founder of National Bookstore, who likewise won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award a couple of years back. Both were big inspiring entrepreneurs who also ably represented our country in Monaco and they confided that it was a humbling experience to be in a friendly competition with top entrepreneurs in the world. Incidentally, Nanay Coring celebrated her 88th birthday just recently and she looked young and strong as ever. A big supporter of Go Negosyo entrepreneurship advocacy, she presented the Woman Entrepreneur Award together with another Go Negosyo trustee, Esther Vibal, who is also in her mid-80s and still with an entrepreneurial passion and sharp mind as she reminds me to embark on joint projects on e-books.

The Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to the dynamic Fe Agudo of Hyundai Asia Resources. Emerging Entrepreneur Award went to Ferdinand Marañon of Sagrex Corp., a Go Negosyo awardee too from Davao, while the Innovation Entrepreneur Award went to Bienvenido Tantoco III of Rustan Supercenters, Inc. Reynaldo Paulino of Kraftika Filipina was named Small Business Entrepreneur, which I remember was what I also presented to last year’s winner Mr. Mang Inasal Injap Sia. The Social Entrepreneur winners were fellow Go Negosyo advocate and supporter Anna Meloto-Wilk and her sister Camille Meloto.

Erramon Aboitiz put it well in his speech. Aboitiz was started by their forefathers as entrepreneurs, and now this new generation of Aboitizes are intrapreneurs. The children of the founders take after their forebears whose character and values they try to emulate to take their business to greater heights. The founders must be proud to be able to see this new generation of Aboitizes build a much bigger business model in power generation.

My congratulations to Erramon Aboitiz and the clan for their success, and to all the other winners. Congratulations, too, to all the finalists, many of whom are also Go Negosyo advocates and supporters: Raul Anthony D. Concepcion, (Concepcion Durables Inc.); Prudencio S. Garcia, (Mekeni Food Corp.); Pacita U. Juan (Earth Life Store Supply Inc.); Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, (Southville International School and Colleges); and Francis Glenn L. Yu, (SEAOIL Phils. Inc.). Hopefully, all the others can also join the fold at Go Negosyo to help inspire our fellow countrymen in believing that this nation has indeed great promise, and that every Filipino can beat poverty with the right attitude, character and know-how.?

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Speaking of presenting more stories of success and inspiration, Go Negosyo launches its seventh book today: 50 Inspiring Stories of Young Entrepreneurs. Our guests of honor are Nanay Coring of National Bookstore and Esther Vibal of Vibal Publishing who have both kept the passion in educating Filipinos through books and reading materials.

It will be truly an inspiration for our young entrepreneurs featured in this book to meet these two dynamic women. Even I would love to learn their secrets on what keeps them so vibrant and young in attitude.

The sponsor of this newest Go Negosyo book, Mang Inasal founder Injap Sia, will also grace the occasion. For someone to attain so much at a young age would serve as a true inspiration to others as well, especially to the youth. Again, congratulations to those we featured in our newest book: Albert Stephen Tanjanco of Anjo Farms, Alvin Tan of Techonominds, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, Antonio Tiu of Agrinurture, Bam Aquino and Mark Ruiz of Microventures/Hapinoy, Bang Omengan of Rock Inn & Café, Benedict Carandang of Tuldok Animations, Camille Meloto of Gandang Kalikasan/Human Nature, Brian Quebengco of Inovent Inc., Chris Tiu for Happy Lemon, Christian and Michael Concepcion of Greater Good, Clang Garcia of Hop-On Hop-Off Jeepney Tours, Clarisse Ann Paras of Bejeweled/Beautiful Sole Enterprise, Cristalle Henares of Belo Essentials, Darwin and Mary Grace Santos of Li’l People Enterprise, Denise Gonzales and Monica Eleazar of Indigobaby, Jerik Robleza and Dino Sarmiento of The Clothing, Emmanuel Carancho of Scramble King, Enzo Banson, Ezra Capucion, Katrina Tecson and Martina Manas of The Twillery, Inc./Papelle, GJ and Maricel Jimenez of Banapple, Chef Hasset Go of MedChef, Injap of Sia for Mang Inasal, Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks, James & Phil Younghusband for The Younghusband Football Academy, Jen Real-Lim of Orange Dance Studio, Jowee Alviar and Raymund Punzalan of Team Manila, Juliet Herrera and Peter Chen of Serenitea, Kathleen Kaye and Carlo Garcia of Hot Pink Lingerie, Ken Okuya of Okuya Food Express, Kim Lato of Kimstore, Krie Lopez of Messy Bessy, Kris Carlo Macapagal of Ink & Prints, Lester Lagos of The Urban Frog, Lourd Ryan Ramos of Creations, Mark Dulag of K-Yong Spirits Orchard & Winery, Mark Gorriceta of Freska, fashion designer Mich Dulce, Michael Bian of Six Eleven Global Services, Ming Ong-Moya of Kathang Kamay, Nicole Whisenhunt of Nicole Whisenhunt Jewelry, Patrick Jalbuena of Kerplunk! Studios, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz of Rags2Riches, Richard Sanz of Bibingkinitan, Roberto Claudio of Runnr, Ronald John David of Sulit.com, Shiela Lina of Shopinas, fashion blogger Tricia Gosingtian, fashion designer Veejay Floresca, Xander Angeles of Xander Angeles Photography/Edge of Light Studios, and Zarah Juan of Panda Cleaners.      

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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 to 8:30 a.m. Get daily Go Negosyo Text Tips in your mobile phone by sending GONEGO to 2910.