The past three days have been nothing but a memorable experience. Last Sunday, we opened the biggest state and business leaders event in the country which was the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2017. For the past two months, we have worked hard to prepare for the momentous event. As I mentioned last week, we hardly slept the past from weeks and had to increase the manpower.

During my closing speech last Tuesday, I thanked the people who made ABIS2017 a success. Let me share my speech to our loyal Go Negosyo readers.

This is the end. Finally. I cannot wait.

But seriously, let me thank Vice President Leni Robredo for giving an excellent speech. We share the same vision of fighting poverty. Of course, we thank Sen. Bam Aquino also who started the Go Negosyo Bill which actually inspired us to continue moving on despite adversities of not being part of the previous government. But Bam with his Go Negosyo Act, revived and strengthened the group.

I also want to thank Tessie Sy-Coson and George Barcelon, my Philippine ASEAN Business Advisory Council members. And, of course the ASEAN BAC chairs who are present here have been supportive since day one. It seems that Singapore’s Robert Yap is no longer here, I guess he does not want the baton to be passed on. He’s running away.

Of course, I will not forget to thank the Go Negosyo advocates. Many of you have been with us for more than 10 years supporting the advocacy. Additionally, the men in government, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Agriculture, and all the people here in the government who are our partners. Thank you for being part of this.

Our ASEAN mentors, all 143 pioneer mentors who came on stage last Sunday and are committed to mentor across the region.

I want to thank all the Go Negosyo people, the employees, the people who put so much hard work. Thank you. Just don’t get pirated.

And of course I want to thank my family, my mom and my dad. My father who is my mentor is the very reason that I am here today.

And of course my wife.

As we end this chairmanship and pass it on to Singapore, this has truly been the best experience I have ever had in my life.

I guess in the end life will end for all of us. But it is in what we do in our life today, no matter what faith or religion we belong to, it is in what we do on this earth that will make the difference and assure us of a next life.

Prosperity for all is the theme of this conference. But prosperity for all should not end today. It is just the beginning, with full energy, that we in the business sector must embrace inclusivity.

It is about time that we give hope and inspiration; And through mentorship and our banks funding these entrepreneurs with less collateral and us providing the market place for them will give them a chance to scale up. As we move on to the digital economy, as many of these forums have been saying, it is a game changer for micro and small entrepreneurs.

In the end, if all of us can leave a legacy of really blessing others to one day be in the same room with us, speaking in front of leaders and be like successful entrepreneurs, that to me is the ultimate blessing we can all receive. Again, thank you very much!

I will share more highlights of the event in my next column.