Go Negosyo’s Inspiring Filipina Starpreneurs 2014

MANILA, Philippines - March is the global celebration of Women’s Month. The Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship – Go Negosyo will hold its 6th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit tomorrow March 7 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. This summit aims to reinforce the entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipina by equipping them with a positive mindset, as well as the tools and concepts necessary for them to pursue the path towards success. This summit is made possible by Mr. Go Negosyo himself, Joey Concepcion in partnership with Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp. president and this summit’s co-chairman Alice Eduardo.

Tomorrow’s summit will be more than inspiring and mind-opening for it will feature women who excelled and became successful in their respective fields of expertise. Delivering an inspiring and special message is celebrity mompreneur Kris Aquino followed by another inspiring and insightful keynote address by Sen. Grace Poe. Rep. Leni Robredo will also join us in the morning. Award-winning broadcast journalist Karen Davila will facilitate the success forum in the morning. In the afternoon, renowned broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez is set to give a talk on finding and pursuing one’s passion, and radio DJ Nicole Hyala will be sharing her success story and journey.

Joey Concepcion said: “I encourage all would be and active entrepreneurs to attend and be inspired. You can also be mentored by the Women Business Council of the Philippines and the Go Negosyo Angelpreneurs. Dream big. Believe that you can do it and you will Achieve success.”

It is very evident that women are becoming more empowered in this age. They have conquered the realm where men dominate like politics and government, academe, private sectors, entertainment, and other industries known to men. It is very timely that Go Negosyo recognize women who stepped up and achieved greater heights in life.

This year, Go Negosyo be recognizing ten inspiring Filipina Starpreneurs who moved up in life through their passion and hardwork in doing business, and most especially their inspiring success story. Here is the first batch of Go Negosyo’s Inspiring Filipina Awardees:

Mary Joy Abaquin founded Multiple intelligence International School (MIIS) in Quezon City for she believes that education is the key to empower and enable people. As a Go Negosyo Angelpreneur, she generously shares her time and expertise in teaching aspiring and young entrepreneurs. The Multiple Intelligence System aims to bring out the best in every child, by searching for one’s strengths and harnessing it to be the foundation in fulfilling the child’s dream. Using her own money, she put up a progressive school in 1996. Today, her school has over 700 students and over a hundred teaching staff. For her, education is the key to empower and enable people. Mary Joy Abaquin holds a degree in Ed. M in Early Childhood Education, Boston University (Summa Cum Laude) and A.B. Psychology minor in Education, U.P. Diliman (Magna Cum Laude).

Edith Dacuycuy of REFMAD farm owns the largest dragon fruit farm in the country located in Ilocos Norte. Her dragon fruit farm was a result of her search for a cure for her daughter’s illness. The Dragon Lady, as she is known to many, was able to grow her business through process innovation and research, and her farm is very notable for its zero-waste farming practices. With the expansion of her business, Edith realized the need to register her agribusiness and encourage other local farmers to engage in dragon fruit production. Together with her fellow farmers, they established the Rare Eagle Forest Marine in Agricultural Development (REFMAD) as a legitimate organization. Her dragon fruit is also distributed here in the country and abroad.

Dr. Milagors Ong – How, executive vice president of Universal Harvester Inc. (UHI), learned and mastered the intricacies of the fertilizer industry through experience and further education. Her experience and education in handling chemicals and seeing the opportunity of business growth eventually lead her in fertilizer manufacturing. She started as a valuable ally of farmers in their search to increase their yield and improve production. She realized that agriculture is where her heart is because of her getting involved in the fertilizer business. Today, UHI is known as a Filipino company engaged in large-scale manufacturing, distribution, and exportation of world class fertilizers.

Maria Ressa, founder and CEO of Rappler.com, wanted to inspire smart conversations and encourage greater awareness among Filipinos. Her being a renowned journalist in Asia paved way for founding a social news media giving people easy access to information at a speed of a mouse click. Ressa’s vision is to stir community engagement and discussions with the help of new technology. Ressa has been very active in forwarding the utilization of new technology in coursing information in a fast and effective manner. Maria is a graduate of Princeton University with a degree in molecular biology and theatre.

Cathy Turvill, president of Nurture Spa, started her spa as a search for a place where she can find tranquillity and peace of mind. She then saw the opportunity of establishing her own spa pioneering and eventually becoming the leader in the Philippine spa and wellness industry. It soon evolved into a venue offering international standard spa with a touch of Filipino ambience. Nurture spa was named one of 28 Most Relaxing Spas of Asia. Turvill also founded the first internationally accredited spa school in the country. Cathy has been a Human Resources consultant and marketing professional for the past 20 years and is the founding President of the Spa Association of the Philippines. She is a graduate of the Executive Spa Development Course conducted by Cornell University in Singapore.

Aside from the awarding, the summit will also feature prominent Filipinas in different industries and institutions like media, food, information technology, retail and enterprise, beauty, wellness, and fashion in a form of forums and plenary talks.

Success starts from a small ray of inspiration. Watch for the next batch of inspiring stories of Go Negosyo’s Inspiring Starpreneurs 2014.