As we promote entrepreneurship as part of our advocacy, we recognize that not all will be entrepreneurs, but we believe that everyone can be enterprising. A positive mindset and attitude can make anything possible, and that we should find a way. We all can be the best that we can be if we harness our strengths and talents and build on it. Those who decide to go into business are taught how best to enter and start a business, ideally taking-off from his core strengths, and starting with a new creative idea that serves a market need or fills a gap. We encourage idea-based entrepreneurship.

However, it is not always easy to start with a new unique business idea, but one can go into business by adopting tried and tested business concepts that are now being offered through franchising. It is a fast way to get into a business, and the good thing with franchising, and I am talking of legitimate franchising, is that one can have not only a working model and system, but also the training and mentorship that will guide him in operating the business. The franchisors serve as mentors, which are what we see as important assistance for business start-ups. Success is not guaranteed unless the franchisee still puts in a lot of hard work and follows well the franchising system.

We are fortunate that one of our key partners in the Go Negosyo entrepreneurship advocacy, the Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. or AFFI, is mounting their 17th Franchise Trade Show from Oct. 3-5. Go Negosyo once again partnered with AFFI for this trade show which expects about 300 exhibitors and about 15,000 guests for this year.

Aside from the trade show which serves as the main highlight, AFFI is also organizing for the first time an ASEAN Power Lunch that will feature entrepreneurs and trade attaches from ASEAN countries to further educate participants about the impending opportunities and challenges to be brought about by the ASEAN Integration 2015. There shall be plenary talks and forums which will be attended by our executive director Mon Lopez.

AFFI will also be recognizing for the third consecutive year the outstanding franchiser through the Galing ng Pinoy Franchise Excellence Award, which is the highest recognition given by the organization for a franchise company. Four exemplary franchisees shall also be recognized. Our programs development manager John Paul Uminga sat in the final screening and deliberation for the awards.

We invite all those who are aspiring negosyantes to this trade show to see and learn from successful business models. This can be the start of your fulfilling journey in entrepreneurship.

Last Saturday, I joined the Bossing Banquet hosted by MVP to celebrate the contribution of fellow Bossings in their industries and gather once again the growing number of Bossings who were given recognition in recent years. The lunch for more than 50 successful entrepreneurs was held at Blackbird restaurant in Makati which, by the way, is now one of the most recommended restaurants in Manila. In fact, it was the old Nielsen Tower of Manila International Airport which gave the authentic aviation theme of the place.

The lunch was an intimate gathering which tries to generate support for a social development project. Before, we raised funds for the boxers competing abroad. Last year, we gave support for relief and rehab activities for the Yolanda victims. This year, supported a different beneficiary, essentially the undernourished sector of the country. Given the popularity of the ice bucket challenge in the Internet, MVP formally launched the Rice Bucket Challenge among the Bossings. The Rice Bucket Challenge was an idea started by fellow advocate Henry Lim Bon Liong, which basically encourages everyone to instead donate a rice bucket (either one or two kilos, or more) to another person in need. For the Philippines, he sees this as more relevant and needed.

I was also inspired to make a pledge of more than 2,000 buckets which we will give out to depressed communities around our manufacturing plants during the RFM anniversary on Oct. 13. I heard all the Bossings pledged their respective support for this noble cause. Congratulations to MVP and Henry for spearheading this activity.

It was a great affair which I am sure all of us enjoyed. We even watched together the Gilas vs. Korea game live, thanks to the TV coverage of TV5. All cheered every time Gilas scored, but it wasn’t our game in the end. At least we saw the intensity of the Gilas players, and the rare opportunity to watch together as a big group of entrepreneurs intensely cheering for our team. It was a good bonding and we look forward to the next PLDT SME Nation bonding activity.