Villar calls for entrepreneurial revolution

PILI, Camarines Sur — Sen. Manny Villar yesterday called for an “entrepreneurial revolution” to immediately address the problem of poverty in the country.

Villar made the statement during the Go Negosyo forum at the convention center inside the Camarines Sur provincial complex.

Villar said the reason why millions of Filipinos remain poor is because they have been conditioned to go to school, finish a course and get employed.

“This instills on the young a mindset of not being independent,” said Villar, adding that the advantage of being an entrepreneur is to enjoy the feeling of being your own boss.

Villar started his sand and gravel business with a capital of only P10,000. His business is now the biggest home building company in the country earning him the title as the Dean of the Housing Industry. Prior to his elective position, he was referred to as the Brown Taipan, being the only Filipino included in the Forbes’ list of RP’s richest. Villar is also known as the master entrepreneur.

Go Negosyo founding trustee Joey Concepcion urged those who want to venture into business not to fear the global business downturn.

Concepcion described the forum as the biggest Go Negosyo gathering in the country for the past three years.

Villar, Villafuerte, Concepcion, Dylan Wilk and Myla Villanueva gave the Most Inspiring Bicolano microentrepreneur awards to Hanilyan Aguilar-Hidalgo of Propolis Lifestyle; Marianne Gabrielle Bordado of Choco Naga; Pedro Durante of Family Sprain Experts; Carlito Milano of CGM Handicraft; Rolando Nicerio of Dad’s Special Pinangat; Marrine Olano of Baycrafts; Cindy Perenia of Cop Pili Sweets and Pastries; Carmen Ravago of Ravago’s Longganiza de Guinobatan; and Hector Torente of Bicol Ceramika.

Meantime, the Most Inspiring Bicolano Entrepreneur awards were given to Engineer Salvador Albia of Tropics Agro Industries; Elizaldy Co of Sunwest Group of Companies; Dahlia Dy of South Star Drug, Inc.; Alice Esquela of Ben’s Baker Corp.; Jerly Peyra of Jerly Peyra Poultry Farm; Florenio Regala of Macagang Business Center; Lyndon Tan of Basic Necessity, Inc.; and Mediatrix Villanueva of Shelmed Cottage Treasures.

The Most Inspiring Bicolano Entrepreneur special awards were given to Labo Progressive Multipurpose Coop and Simbag sa Pag-Asenso, Inc. – With Christina Mendez