Last Sunday was Father’s Day. To me, it was still a good day to remember our fathers. If they are still with us, enjoy the blessing that they are still with us and if they have moved on to the next life, remember the best times you spent with them, the memories of childhood days and the advise they imparted to you. Every year, I am glad that I am able to spend time with my dad somewhere that gives us quality time as a clan away from work.

Sometimes, the quest for power and material wealth can push us to a point that we do not devote time with our parents and family. Then we realize that when they are gone, we should have done more.

Last Father’s Day, I asked fellow entrepreneurs in the Go Negosyo community how their fathers influenced their life. First, let me just thank my dad Joecon for giving me the best gift that influenced me- that life is not for us to live alone but to share our blessings with others through advocacies that help people have a better life. His own cause of lighting the candle of hope through Namfrel has influenced me to start lighting that same candle of helping small entrepreneurs fight poverty through Go Negosyo. Thank you, Dad.

Here are excerpts on inspiring lessons from the respective fathers of our entrepreneur community:

“My father has been very supportive. Pursuing one’s dreams, believing in self, perseverance and hard work are some of the qualities that my father instilled in me.” – Jay Aldeguer (Islands Group)

“My father, lawyer Enrique Belo, would always say whenever we would see beggars or poor people, “there but for the grace of God go we”. This taught me to be thankful for God’s blessings and to help my fellowmen because really it was just a twist of faith that I was born to a relatively well off family.” – Dra. Vicky Belo (BeloMed)

“Work hard while you’re still young and have the energy and strength! Manage your time to maximum usage. Gain confidence in what you do, and accept people’s criticism to improve yourself.” – Justin Uy (Profoods)

“Perseverance and tenacity. That failure is necessary to achieve success. My late father said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. It may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, and how you can still come out of it.” – Cora Dayro Ong (CDO)

“When my late dad’s shirt factory in Binondo was gutted by fire in the late ’60s, he persevered and paid off all his business debts to save his reputation. He was able to rebuild his business but with a lot of personal sacrifices and deprivation. He was out to save our generation’s future to have access to credit.” – Johnlu Koa (French Baker)

“Though my dad was himself a young entrepreneur at some point in his career, it is his simplicity and integrity that I try to emulate in my own entrepreneurial endeavours.” – Sen. Bam Aquino (Hapinoy)

“My father was in government and what he always emphasized was transparency in dealing with others; that the key to success, is to be a man of integrity.” – Felipe Gozon (GMA Network)

“My father often said – Stay focused on my goals, practice fairness in all my dealings, and maintain integrity and credibility.” – Felix Ang (CATS Motors)

“My father, Lim Liu, is a man of action, to do things bringing him one step closer to his vision than spend time talking about it. He still dedicates long hours for his community work (until today at age 84). He is a visionary and shows how important it is to care for one’s family, to give back to society, and to help in nation building in our own quiet way.” – Bernie Liu (Penshoppe Group)

“My papa has always taught me to believe in the beauty of my dreams, find my passion and discern God’s true purpose for me so that I can help others. I have founded our MI School out of my commitment to live a life of purpose and make a difference.” – Joy Canon-Abaquin (Multiple Intelligence International School)

“My father is a silent observer and contemplates on how things can be accomplished. I apply that in business as I sometimes step back, observe and think of solutions that are beneficial to all. His hard work, discipline and his ability to relate and love people taught me the kind of service we should provide our consumers and workforce.” – Ronald Pineda (Folded and Hung)

“My Tatay Felipe provided us an “entrepreneurial environment” as he was a serial entrepreneur who took several small negosyos to augment our family needs. Tatay instilled the value of hard work and integrity in any negosyo.” – Paulo Tibig (V Cargo)

“My father, the late Ricarte Aspiras Gapuz, taught me that proper TIMING complements. He taught me how to balance my time. It is important for an entrepreneur to know when to sit back and just observe…or know when to exit.” – Ray Gapuz (RA Gapuz Review Center)

“Credibility, trustworthy, hard work and never give up. I remember before when my father just delivered sacks of rice to the market stores and the following day the whole market was burned down by a huge fire. Certainly, his customers could not pay him but my dad showed credibility and still paid the rice miller.” – Rosalind Wee (Marine Resources)

“My father entrusted to me to take care of my younger siblings and all finances of our home when my mother got ill due to cancer. He reminded me the values of trust, honesty, and integrity and faith in the Lord so that He can guide you in your service to others.” – Teresita Ngan Tian (Lots a Pizza)

My father says, “The market is constantly changing, you have to observe carefully, understand and adapt to it. Be flexible.” – Siu Ping Par (PR Gaz)

“My father, tatang Felix, with the help of my mother, had instilled in us the discipline, hardwork and love for others, that our real life mission is to lend a helping hand. He taught us how to be strong amidst life’s challenges, grateful for the triumph and learn to accept defeat and learn from mistakes.” – Pruds Garcia (Mekeni)

“Loyalty, obedience, patience, mutual respect and generosity were taught to me by my father and those qualities have always been the cornerstone of our companies, and our many CSR programs.” – Henry Lim Bon Liong (Sterling Paper group and SL Agritech)

The wisdom they all shared can very well guide us moving forward.