WOMEN AS CATALYSTS FOR CHANGE
Women from across the Philippines flocked to Malacañang Palace for the Go Negosyo Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs Awards 2017.
The event was aligned with the first national celebration of Women’s Month under the administration of President Duterte, who delivered a short message on women and their role in national change. The theme: “We Make Change Work for Women.”
Other notable attendees were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, SM Investment Corporation vice chair and Asean Business Advisory Council member Tessie Sy-Coson and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
Spearheading the event was the founder of Go Negosyo and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship, Joey Concepcion.
“Filipinos are not destined for poverty. We really have to put our work, heart and passion into becoming successful,” Concepcion said.
Since its inception in 2005, Go Negosyo has awarded over 200 outstanding women entrepreneurs for serving as inspirations in their respective fields.
The Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs Awards celebrated women who have excelled in their fields. The awardees were selected from a pool of nominees, classified into seven categories: Youth, Inclusive Business, Women MSME Development Enabler, Micro, SmallMedium, Large and Legacy. The list of awardees:
Youth: Arizza Nocum, KRIS Library and Good Karma Shirts
Inclusive Business: Felici- tas Pantoja, Coffee for Peace; Rachel de Villa, Cropital
Micro-Small: Honie Krizia Navor, HK Stone Craft Trading; Evelyn Daytao, Daytao Native Cake; Pamela Henares, BuroBuro Springs Vermi Farm; Imelda Dagus, Dennis Coffee Garden; Cherrie Atilano, AGREA; Maria Lydia Lomibao, J. Emmanuel Pastries; Arlene Mabute, Mabute Lumpia Wrap- per and Cheese Stick Maker; Ester Vitto, Bahag Footwear
Medium-Large: Ana de Ocampo, Wildflour Café and Bakery; Mary Ann Montemayor, Villa Margarita Hotel and Catering; Sheree Gotuaco, Omnimoda International; Anne Gonzalez, Terry S.A.; Evelyn Palomo, Great Image; Gina Lorenzana, Unilever Philippines; Rebecca Mills, Chalre Associates; Felicia Atienza, Chinese International School Manila Women MSME Development Enablers: Pacita Juan, ECHOstore; Doris Ho, Magsaysay Maritime Corporation; Cynthia Villar, Senate of the Philippines Legacy: Corazon Ong, CDO Foodsphere, Inc.; Socorro Ramos, National Book Store; Rosalind Wee, WGroup of Companies; Mercedes Gotianun, Filinvest Development Corp.