Merry Christmas!

Christmas went by so fast. I guess the older we are, we tend to be more conscious about time as we don’t want to get older. As a child, I remember being so eager for Christmas to come as early as a month writing my Christmas wish to Santa Claus. And as the days come closer, the excitement builds up.

My youngest daughter Bella, who is six years old, can barely wait to open her gifts and bargains with us that she be allowed to open it already. She keeps reminding us that we already sent her letter to Santa and keeps bugging her mom how many sleeps to go.

The past days have been busy for all of us with office and family gatherings, and as we shared also in our own ways some blessings and support to somehow comfort those who suffered in the recent calamities, like suspending their Christmas parties and donating the proceeds to the Yolanda victims. Christmas will not be the same with many of the survivors of the recent calamities, but we assure them that we are one with them in moving forward.

I was surprised to receive a note from one of the groups we donated to and never expected how simple things like donating some juices make people happy. Like what we did in Sapian, Roxas City in Capiz. The kids were so enthusiastic and they were so glad when did an outreach and donation in their town. They even sent me a simple yet beautiful piece of “thank you” card that reads “Sa aming Santa Claus, kami po ay taos-pusong nagpapasalamat sa handog ninyo sa amin. Dalangin po namin na kayo ay lubos na pagpalain ng Panginoon natin para marami pa po kayong matulungan na mga taong sa inyo’y lubos na nangangailangan... GOD BLESS po. Maligayang Pasko po at Masaganang Bagong Taon sa inyong buong pamilya...”

During the holidays, I also asked my friends and fellow entrepreneurs about their wishes and hopes for themselves and for the country in 2014. Their wishes were delightful to know and very optimistic Like William Belo (Wilcon Builders and leading construction materials and service providers), who said that he wanted to expand further his company in order to provide more jobs for our fellow Filipinos. He wishes for the momentum of growth to continue to ultimately benefit the less fortunate of our society.

Myrna Yao (franchisee of Barbie doll and other toys and gifts) wishes to bring more people closer to God and His righteous way and wishes the country to have a stronger sense of unity especially during the difficulties that our country will face in 2014. She is also hoping that all government servants, churches, clergies, and families will save our country from devastation by being righteous in God’s name.

Henry Lim Bon Liong (SL Agritech and lead advocate of hybrid rice seeds) wishes to remain as young and as strong as he is for next year so he could be an instrument in uplifting the lives of our poor farmers and at the same time help our government in finally achieving self-sufficiency in rice by the end of 2014.

Lourd Ramos (Creations Salon and leading hairstylist/entrepreneur), who recognizes the importance of wellness and improved self-worth, wishes to expand his business so they can help more and more best stylists in the country to be united and to be more focused.

You see, this poses a very optimistic mindset among us. There is always a spark of hope that flickers in our hearts; a hope that will bring us and our country to a better, more enterprising and more empowered state.

I have a lot to thank our Lord for blessing me with a wonderful family – a super wife, four lovely girls and one son, for giving us good health and keeping us safe this year. I thank Him for keeping my parents healthy and that they continue to spend Christmas with us; for blessing our country with the best economic fundamentals that has allowed many to prosper and removing us as the “sick man of Asia” and now the rising star. I continue to thank Him for allowing me and other entrepreneurs thru the advocacy of Go Negosyo the chance of inspiring teaching and mentoring our youth and the countless of micro and small entrepreneurs to believe in their dreams.

To all the entrepreneurs and Bossings who number close to 600 today , to our sponsors and those who follow this column for the past six years now. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!