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.

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.

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.

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

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.