Let's have fun in 2012

All good things come to an end as we return to our regular lives from our Christmas vacation. Fil-Ams who come home do so to spend time with their family. Filipinos are really family-oriented, very community-oriented. I guess that is what makes us unique. This is what makes it fun to be in the Philippines, as the new slogan of the Department of Tourism would say. This slogan adopted by the government speaks of what embodies the Filipino spirit.

Our own family bonding in San Francisco comes to an end and this season gave us special memories with my father who has just turned 80. It is indeed a memorable event: 50 people housed under one roof, the others having to use sleeping bags; and a stomach virus hitting half of the family, wherein poor Doctor Celdran, our family doctor for ages, had to be bothered with all the calls as we consulted with him what medicine to take. But it all ended well.

These are irreplaceable memories and they give us purpose in life. While our respective responsibilities at work or in negosyo are important, what really gives meaning is the feeling of completeness in having family and friends to share our moments of glory and sadness.

It is our social network that becomes our support group, our mentor group, whom we need in our journey in life. And it is our joint experiences with the ones we love that actually mold our values, and especially, build our character. This is why the Filipino values of family are quite strong, even though there are many family members who have to make that sacrifice in working overseas. Despite the distance, family members always find ways to be in touch. Our airports are full because in sending off a loved one, the whole barangay goes. This is so common, even in American airports, the Filipinos are still consistent in demonstrating this. I guess this is what, again, makes it fun to live in the Philippines. Through adversity, we still find ways to look at the positive side.

How we look at the year 2012 will establish the mood we set for ourselves throughout the year. We should continue to be optimistic about our country’s future. After all, it’s more fun to live in the Philippines. Soon, we will be welcoming the year of the dragon as we celebrate the Chinese New Year on Jan. 23. Let’s have fun in the year 2012.

The new year gives us all a fresh start, and at Go Negosyo, it’s no different. We try to take our advocacy to the next level by learning from our experiences from last year, and from there, think of better ways to make our programs more meaningful to Filipinos.

2012 definitely looks promising as we map out our plans for this year. And to continue the thrust of optimism for the new year, I share with you more of our Go Negosyo entrepreneurs’ New Year’s wishes…

My new year’s wish for myself is time. Time to accomplish the many things and projects that are on my plate right now; time to fast-track CamSur’s comprehensive development agenda; and time to get more things done for more people.

For my family, that they live God-centered, happy, enriched and meaningful lives. I wish my wife the best of health and happiness, and my children Miguel, Julio, Gabriella and Luigi to follow their dreams, to hope and aspire with passion and zeal.

For our people, that they may reap the rewards of genuine reform in our country; that they will experience true poverty alleviation and feel their lives finally change for the best.

For the Philippines, that our potential as a country and as a people will be realized; and that we live in a country that is rich in many things. – Hon. Lray Villafuerte, governor of Camarines Sur, founder and CEO of Lara’s Gifts and Decors

My new years wish is that more entrepreneurs learn how to be faithful financial stewards. – Ardy Roberto, chairman and founder of Salt & Light Ventures, Inc., Go Negosyo Angelpreneur

My new year’s wish for myself, family and others: good health and happiness; for the Philippines, to have more social entrepreneurs and more groups like Go Negosyo. Happy New Year! – Jo Magsaysay, CEO of Potato Corner, 2011 MVP Bossing

I wish for peace and stability especially in Mindanao. – Ed Pilapil, Jr., CEO of Achievers Circle Inc., Go Negosyo Angelpreneur

My personal wish is to be able to inspire more people to become entrepreneurs and that our government support and promote entrepreneurship development. – Jorge Wieneke III, president of First Asian Food Project Inc., Go Negosyo Angelpreneur

I wish for lesser suffering from poverty and that more Filipinos take greater interest in education. I wish for more Filipinos to feel empowered and become more self-sustaining, entrepreneurial, and less dependent on overseas jobs for their livelihood. I wish for our government and the people we vote into office to serve more and reduce corruption. I wish for a more peaceful country and more hardworking citizens in 2012 and beyond. – Jack Madrid, country manager of Multiply.com Philippines

* * *

We are holding our first NEGOSEM Negosyo Basics for 2012 on Feb. 17, Friday, at the RFM Auditorium, RFM Corporate Center, Mandaluyong City. For more information, please visit www.gonegosyo.net, or like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/gonegosyoofficial, or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/go_negosyo.

* * *

Contact me: [email protected] or Joey Concepcion Official Facebook Fan Page.