Last Saturday, I hosted a Christmas appreciation dinner, which I do annually to foster relationships between the public and private sector and engage them in our efforts to bring about more inclusive growth in the Philippines.
It is essential that both sectors have good relationships and teamwork. Our partner sponsors, fellow advocates, and mentors help us provide greater access to mentorship, money and the market.
It was made special by the presence of our Citi micro-entrepreneurship awardees, four of whom are graduates of the Go Negosyo and Department of Trade and Industry’s Kapatid Mentor ME Program. This shows that our programs are working for our microentrepreneurs.
But the biggest surprise came from my wife and children, who launched a book about me. They kept the secret for seven months, involving close friends who took part in the book production. It was something that I would not have agreed to do, but after seeing and reading it, the book is indeed a work of love from my wife Marissa and our children.
Joey Concepcion and Sec. Ramon Lopez with the Citi Micro Entrepreneurship awardees Mary Grace Bayalas, Youth Microentrepreneur of the year; Jesette Oquendo, Special Award for Community Leadership; Marisa Ganding, Special Award for Startup Micro Business; Rosario Amoroto, Regional Awardee for Visayas; Maria Elena Estadola, Regional Awardee for Luzon; and Erwin Ramos, CMA Micro Entrepreneur of the Year
Citi Microentrepeurship awardees: (from left) Mary Grace Bayalas, Youth Microentrepreneur of the year; Jesette Oquendo, Special Award for Community Leadership; Marisa Ganding, Special Award for Startup Micro Business; Rosario Amoroto, Regional Awardee for Visayas; Maria Elena Estadola, Regional Awardee for Luzon; and Erwin Ramos, CMA Micro Entrepreneur of the Year. Vice Gov. Joey Pelaez, Sec. Ramon Lopez and Director Jerry Clavesillas
Author Joey Concepcion was surprised with a book from his wife Marissa and their children. Christian Concepcion, Olivia Concepcion, Monica Concepcion, Catherine Concepcion, Javier Puno, Isabella Concepcion, and Magsy Concepcion
Bettina Quimson, Sec. Bebot Bello III, Gina Bello, Alelee Andanar, Joanne Diokno, Sec. Benjamin Diokno, Atty. Betty Medialdea, Bai Norhata Alonto, Sriphiromya Urawadee, Sec. Karlo Nograles, Marga Nograles, Karen Davila, Neny Pernia, Ferrylou Cui, Sec. Abul Khayr Alonto, and Sec. Salvador Panelo
Nanette Medved-Po, Chris Po, Marga Nograles, Arlene Padua-Martinez, Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Henry Lim Bon Liong and Sec. Karlo Nograles
IIrene Barcelon, George Barcelon, Joey Concepcion, Sen. Koko Pimentel III, Kath Yu-Pimentel, Sec. Ernie Pernia and Neny Pernia
Robina GokongweiPe Peter Coyiuto Usec. Ernesto Abella Karen Brooks, Grace Glory Go, Hilda Antonio and Myrna Yao
Marga Nograles, Mons Romulo, Sen. Koko Pimentel III, Doris Ho, Millet Mananquil and Robert Mananquil
Rina Go, Cecille Suarez, Sandy Moran, Marissa Concepcion, Lizette Cojuangco
Sec. Benjamin Diokno, Atty. Mike Toledo, Michael Tan and Rey Lapid
PA RJ Jacinto, Sec. Benjamin Diokno, Joanne Diokno and Frannie Jacinto
Myla Villanueva, Marife Zamora, Emma Imperial, Tessie Sy-Coson
Lara Villafuerte, Ambassador Babe Romualdez and Joanne Ramirez
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Marissa Concepcion and Lizzie Zobel de Ayala
Jerome Ong, Amando Tetangco
John Spakowski III, Eric Caeg, Evelyn LaoYap, Arlene Padua-Martinez
Vicky Delgado, Ricky Delgado Sabin Aboitiz
Michelle Concepcion Alice Eduardo
Ray Alimurong and Lance Gokongwei
Judy Aboitiz, Montxu Aboitiz
Tennyson Chen, Terry Chen
Samie Lim, Venus Tan
Minnie Osmeña
Rey Valera, Harry Roque
Cathy Ileto
Ambassador David Strachan
Rep. LRay Villafuerte
Ambassador Harald Fries
Sec. Martin Andanar