Go Negosyo to honor inspiring Filipino women

MANILA, Philippines -  Women in the Philippines have played significant roles in society – running the family unit, business, and other societal institutions.

Today, they are more influential, if not more powerful, as most of them are armed with entrepreneurial skills that have helped boost the economy.

Recognizing such achievement is Go Negosyo, together with GMA Network and The Philippine STAR, through the “Go Negosyo Kapuso Ka ng Bayan” Women Entrepreneurship Summit, slated on March 4 to 6 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

The Go Negosyo Women Summit, in celebration of National Women’s Month, will recognize Filipinas who have made a mark in the country by gracefully balancing life, family pursuits and service to community.

“They are the 2011 Go Negosyo Filipina STARpreneurs,” said Joey Concepcion, founding trustee of Go Negosyo.

He added, “Thus this is our way of recognizing the inspiring women entrepreneurs and enablers who have made a difference in their fields and have become role models as women with positive enterprising mindset, passion and innovative skills.”

Social Entrepreneurs / Enablers

First on the list is Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto. In the glamorous world of entertainment, she is considered royalty, the “Star for All Seasons.” In government and politics, she has also made a name as a well-respected, multi-awarded, and accomplished public servant.

Gov. Vi, as she is now fondly called, was the first woman mayor of Lipa, Batangas, serving three consecutive terms. She also became the first female governor of Batangas province and was re-elected for her second term last year.

Many people know of her acting awards, but Gov. Vi has also been getting recognition for her service to Batangas. She was recognized four times as Most Outstanding Mayor during her term by the Civil Service Commission and other organizations. She is also one of the Ten Outstanding Young Leaders in the country.

Gov. Vi has launched her H.E.A.R.T.S. Program, which aims to improve Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads and Tourism of Batangas.

Ruth Callanta

One woman who has made a name for herself as a successful entrepreneur and an effective leader of social change is Ruth Callanta, founder and president of the Center for Community Transformation (CCT), founded in 1992 with the aim of introducing long-term solutions to poverty in the country.

It all started when she was a young Anthropology graduate from the University of the Philippines eager to find ways to implement change in the country. She pursued a career in research at the Philippine Business for Social Progress where she was exposed not only to the more pressing issues of society, but also to the means of bringing about true change.

Since then, she has devoted her time and talent to teaching impoverished Filipinos income-generating skills and assisting them with micro-financing programs to help them jumpstart their own negosyos.

The small organization has become a massive non-profit, self-sustaining social enterprise with more than 850 fulltime workers and 130 branches that reach out to more than a hundred thousand beneficiaries all over the Philippines.

Driven with the belief that true transformation happens when Christ is placed at the center of life, CCT has focused on a holistic approach to empowerment and reformation.

As a result, CCT has established several other ministries including a scholarship program, housing program, and a training company to help more Filipinos rise above poverty.

Small/Medium Category

Teresita Ngan-Tian co-founded Lots A’ Pizza with her husband Eduardo in 1987. With their meager savings, the couple rented a small space in Mendiola and built ten stalls to sub-lease.

Having only seven stalls occupied, Tess had to figure out how to make use of the extra space. She thought of selling affordable pizza to students. This became the first outlet of Lots A’ Pizza. The name alone signifies their promise of serving pizza that has lots of value, flavor, and satisfaction in every slice.

As president of Lots A’ Pizza, she turned the small family food stall into a successful franchise system because of her attention to detail and her hands-on approach. Today, Lots A’ Pizza has more than 112 outlets nationwide, providing employment to hundreds of workers.

The Essence of Skincare

    Dr. Emma Guerrero, president of Bioessence, started her company as a three-bed clinic in Davao City in 1994. She may have started small but her big dreams gave her the inspiration to work harder and expand.

By 1998, she took Bioessence to Manila and opened six branches to bring beauty closer to more Filipinos. Soon, Bioessence became a trusted name in skincare and slimming services in the Philippines.

Being an entrepreneur by heart, Dr. Emma, who also has a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship, thought of more ways to improve and grow her negosyo.

In 2001, she opened Bioessence for franchising in response to the demand for relaxation and beauty services in the country. Today, Bioessence is considered a leader in the beauty industry for promoting beauty, wellness and a better lifestyle to Filipinos. It now has 44 branches all over the Philippines, providing employment to more than 600 workers.

Herbs a Business

Grace Gupana has experienced the ups and downs of negosyo, but it is with a bitter concoction that she tasted true success.

As the founder and CEO of ABS Gen Herbs, the leading player in supplements in the Philippines, Grace started in 1999 after learning from a friend the natural healing benefits of ampalaya in treating diabetes and other ailments.

Grace knew that is was the negosyo that God had intended for her to pursue, not just to meet her family’s needs but also to bring wellness to others.

Apart from being blessed, she also believes that the reason for her negosyo’s success is the efficacy of her products. It is her advocacy to promote and spread holistic wellness through her products and health screening programs.

For the future, Grace plans to continue to market the healing benefits of bitter herbs and hopes to expand her negosyo overseas.

Artistic Prowess

Marlyn Montano, an artist with a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship, is the managing director and co-CEO of Holy Cow Animation, Inc. For more than 20 years, she has shared her talent and vision through animation productions for television commercials, television shows, animated specials, and feature films for local and international clients.

She started Holy Cow Animation in 1999 to satisfy her passion for creativity and to help support and uplift Filipino artists and writers by acknowledging their original ideas. Through her company, she also aims to encourage aspiring artists to venture into animation and showcase their talent to the world.

Women’s Month

In recognizing the contributions of these women, Go Negosyo has forged partnerships with several companies to further spread the inspiring stories of the women entrepreneurs as they effectively balance their lives, family, pursuits, and service to community.

The Women Entrepreneurship Summit is presented by GoNegosyo DTI, GMA Network Inc. and The Philippine STAR.