Kris Aquino, other Filipina entrepreneurs gather for GoNegosyo summit

MANILA, Philippines – Recognizing the role of Filipinas in nurturin families, cultivating communities, and growing a business, GoNegosyo will hold its biggest women empowerment program – the annual GoNegosyo Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit – on Friday, March 6. 

As an advocacy organization, GoNegosyo seeks to promote entrepreneurship to more Filipinos all over the country through its various programs and multimedia campaigns. Women own 45% of enterprises in the country, according to a recent survey on entrepreneurship conducted by the Global Economic Monitor. 

Since it was launched in 2009, the summit has aimed at providing women learning opportunities on entrepreneurship and other investment options, empowering them as they juggle their various roles – mother, wife, and entrepreneur. This year’s gathering will happen at the World Trade Center Halls B & C in Pasay City, from 9am to 6pm.

Here are 7 reasons why you should not miss the summit:

1. JAMPACKED PLENARY PROGRAM

Successful women entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and other women icons will headline the plenary sessions: 

Forum 1 – Keynote Forum: Women in Power

Forum 2 – GoNegosyo Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Awardees and Key Intrapreneurs Forum

Forum 3 – Forum on Home-based Businesses

Forum 4 – The Complete Woman Forum – Forum on Women Areas of Concerns;

Forum 5 – Forum on Direct-Selling & Franchising.

There will also be one plenary talk by the founder of the Multiple Intelligence International School, Mary Joy Abaquin, who will speak about how it is to raise enterprising children. Abaquin authored GoNegosyo’s “8 Simple Secrets to Raising Entrepreneurs.”

This year’s batch of GoNegosyo Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs will also be recognized. Previous awardees include Maria Ressa (Rappler), Vicky Belo (Belo Medical Group), and Socorro Ramos (National Bookstore).

2. CELEBRITY MODERATORS AND PANELISTS

Queen of all media and entrepreneur Kris Aquino, broadcast journalist Karen Davila, and beauty queen Miriam Quiambao will serve as forum moderators. GoNegosyo TV show host Michael Angelo Lobrin, Alice Sotto, and radio personalities Emmylou Gaite (aka Nicole Hyala) and Cheska Camille San Diego of GoNegosyo sa DZRH are also joining as hosts.

Celebrity moms and entrepreneurs Cheska Garcia-Kramer, Ara Mina, Tin Tin Bersola Babao, and Bettinna Carlos will also attend to share their inspiring stories. 

3. WOMEN IN POWER

One of the highlights of the Summit is the keynote forum that will feature 3 of the most powerful Filipinas in government and from the business sector. The keynote forum will headline Senator Cynthia Villar, Representative Leni Robredo, and Tessie Sy-Coson, who was one of the Fortune Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Women from 2001 to 2010.

Senator Loren Legarda will also join as facilitator for the Complete Women Forum that will feature female leaders of big corporations such as Katrina Abelarde of PLDT SME Nation, Yati Abdullah of DHL Philippines, and Marife Agudo of Hyundai Philippines.

4. NEGOSYO EXPO FOR BUSINESS IDEAS

Some of the confirmed companies include: PLDT SME Nation, RFM Corporation, Meralco, Sta Elena Construction and Development Corporation, DHL, Calata Corporation, Wilcon Depot, Vibal Publishing, BPI KaNegosyo, Kettle Korn, Business World, Double Dragon Properties Inc, Condura, Potato Corner, Richwell Trading Inc., Tupperware Brands Philippines, Hyundai, BDO, PR Gaz, ChemWorld Fragrance Factory, Ace Water Spa, Mekeni Food Corporation, Philippine Franchise Association, Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Happy Haus Donuts, Chairman Cuapao, Michelle’s Putong Ube, Thrifty Philippines, Ka-Entrep and many more!

4. NEGOSYO PACKAGES AND RAFFLE ITEMS

Lucky winners will take home a negosyo package or a raffle item. Some of the participants will bring home any of the following: Happy Haus Donuts Franchise, Kettle Korn Distributorship Packages, Vibal Dealership, Calata Corporation Giftpacks, All Day Supermarket Sari-Sari Store Showcase, Aficionado dealership, Tupperware Dealership and many more!

5.  FREE MENTORING

As part of the Negosyo Expo, there will be free mentorship for aspiring and practicing entrepreneurs. All you have to do is to visit the GoNegosyo booth.

Sitting as mentors are GoNegosyo Angelpreneurs Mon Abrea (Abrea Consulting Group on tax management), Armand Bengco (Colayco Foundation on personal finance), Jorge Wiekene (food entrepreneurship, marketing and product development), Victor Madlangbayan (agripreneurship, social enterprise, business planning), Carlo Calimon (Let’s Go Foundation/ Mobbkard on technopreneurship, marketing, entrepreneurship 101), Virgilio Nonoy Espeleta (family business), Marites Dimaculangan (DImaculangan, Dimaculangan on business finance and accounting), and Mylene Abiva (marketing and product development).

The Women Business Council of the Philippines is also setting up free mentoring sessions in their booth.

7. REGISTRATION IS FREE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

The event is free for students and teachers.

For the rest, the registration fee is P800 which covers a reserved seat in the plenary, a seminar kit, certificate of completion, and lunch.

To know more about #FES7, you may visit our official website: www.gonegosyo.net. – Rappler.com