For expressing optimism in the future of Filipino entrepreneurs through its editorial policy, The Philippine STAR was given a special award by Go Negosyo and the trustees of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE).
It was the only media entity cited by Go Negosyo, which aims to foster a culture of enterprise in the country.
Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III said The STAR was cited because its inspiring stories about self-made Filipino businessmen drew optimism, rather than disillusionment, for the Philippines.
“People that want to succeed in life have to be optimists. And when you read The STAR, you are encouraged that the Philippines is not a basket case,” said Concepcion during awards rites in his home in Makati City attended by businessmen, members of the academe, the arts and government.
Concepcion said The STAR, by highlighting the rags-to-riches stories of entrepreneurs, “helped us encourage a lot of people to believe that the Philippines is really a great country to live in.”
The award was received on behalf of The STAR by editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte, executive vice president Grace Glory Go, and director Kevin Belmonte.
In her response, Go said The STAR’s publishing tradition was started by an entrepreneur himself, the late Jimmy Go Puan Seng, the father of The STAR’s founding chairman, the late Betty Go-Belmonte.
“The success of GoNegosyo and STAR’s wholehearted desire to support this laudable effort is because it follows God’s commandments to love God and your neighbor as you love yourself, and our love for God shows in our love for others,” said Go.
GoNegosyo also cited people with disabilities who are successful entrepreneurs. They include Dennis Balan of DRCP Photography Services, Jocelyn Garcia of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Antonio Llanes Jr. of ATRIEV, Dickoy Madaraog of Sparkplug Studios and Maria Gilda Quintua of the MGLQ Deaf Tour Assistance Philippines.
“Go Negosyo draws its inspiration from many people, as we hear the stories of a lot of successful entrepreneurs as they pursue their dreams. That actually gives us the engine to move on and inspire a lot of people out there who somehow have lost hope,” said Concepcion.
Also present were Presidential Management Staff Secretary Cerge Remonde and members of the PCE board of trustees: Socorro Ramos of National Bookstore, Vivienne Tan of the Entrepreneurs School of Asia, Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Imelda Madarang of RFM Corp. and Go Negosyo executive director Ramon Lopez.
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