Go Negosyo Kapatid for Marawi donors: (first row, from left) Andrew Tan, Manny Pangilinan, Josephine Gotianun-Yap, Tessie Sy-Coson, PNP General Ronald Dela Rosa, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President Rodrigo Duterte, presidential adviser Joey Concepcion, ES Salvador Medialdea, AFP General Eduardo Año, and Dr. Domingo Yap; (second row) Injap Sia, Joseph Tanbuntiong, Sabin Aboitiz, Frederico Lopez, Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Lucio Tan, Erramon Aboitiz, Alice Eduardo, and Mildred Vitangcol; (third row) William Belo, Ambassador Philippe Lhuillier, Michael Tan, Raffy Hechanova, and Felcaster Torres

On July 25, Go Negosyo, with President Rodrigo Duterte, turned over financial assistance to the bereaved families of the 101 fallen heroes of Marawi. For just 10 days, the Go Negosyo team burned the phone lines to contact all the families to inform them that we were honoring the fallen troops. We searched for them through all means of communication and made sure that everyone would be in Manila for the ceremony. We did not stop until the last family member had been booked on a flight to Manila.

Thank you to Philippine Airlines, Dr. Lucio Tan and Michael Tan for accommodating the families and sponsoring their flights to and from Manila. Upon their arrival, they were housed in Hotel101 owned by Injap Sia. Injap also provided the families meals.

While waiting for the president to arrive, the Go Negosyo “big brothers” went to the families to console them. Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approached the wives and mothers of the fallen troops, chatting with them and holding their hands. The Duterte Cabinet spouses, led by Betty Medialdea and Edith Lorenzana, all went around and talked to the families. Go Negosyo entrepreneurs also expressed their condolences. Some of them were tearing up after hearing their stories.

During my talk, I honored and gave gratitude to the sacrifice these brave men in uniform gave to our country. We expressed our full support to the families and made them feel that they are not alone in this time of grieving.

President Duterte appreciated the project Go Negosyo started. He said, “Si Joey, he’s an active organizer at yung mga kaibigan niyang negosyante, marami pong salamat sa inyong lahat (and his entrepreneur friends, many thanks to you all) and we will remember you.”

Thank you to our Go Negosyo big brothers, especially the Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers led by Dr. Domingo Yap, who supported this project.

More so to our troops, thank you to our brave soldiers.