Last Thursday, I went to Intramuros to attend the National Launch of the Philippines’ chairship of ASEAN 2026.

I listened intently as the President shared his vision of what could be the biggest international event of his administration. He would be chairing the government side of ASEAN 2026, while I will chair the private sector. Having assumed the role back in 2017 under former president Rodrigo Duterte, I was familiar with the amount of work ahead for me and President Marcos Jr.

As always, the First Lady greeted me and Marissa very warmly when she saw us at the event. Indeed, it helps that our respective spouses are supportive and that they are on the same wavelength. It provides that much-needed balance and woman’s insight into our tasks. Marissa witnessed the amount of time and effort that could be involved in an ASEAN hosting. I recall that, at one of the many dinners during the ASEAN hosting, I had dozed off from exhaustion. Marissa saw how I had only a few minutes to take breaks before I had to return and dive into a series of meetings for hours on end. An ASEAN hosting is no small matter, but it is all worth it.

Moreover, it dovetails with our continuing theme at the ASEAN Business Advisory Council of promoting Prosperity for All. All of this will outweigh the sacrifices and hours of hard work waiting for us in 2026, and I look forward to it.

Maybe it is because I am an optimist? For example, for the past two years, I have been buying RFM stock and I still continue to do so up to now. Whatever savings I have, I continue to buy RFM. The value has doubled since I started doing so, as it has for many years that I have invested in it.

One reason is that I firmly believe that the Philippine economy will grow, despite the pessimism and frustration brought about by the actions of the bad eggs in government and the legislature. The Philippines will find it difficult to be a great nation if this level of corruption persists. Yes, Filipinos have long accepted that there will be some corruption, but nobody expected it to be of this magnitude or shamelessness. Still, I am reassured knowing that there are good people in government who still keep the faith and plod on, fighting the good fight.

In Malaysia, during the recently concluded 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, I found myself tearing up as I gave my speeches at the ASEAN-BAC events. I was so surprised to have been so emotional during the entire Malaysian hosting. But after much reflection, I realized that I was probably experiencing the same process that inspired Joecon to become so very passionate about ASEAN. I have always dedicated my leadership in ASEAN to him, and I am sure he will guide me from up there in choosing the right path as I take on this difficult task once again.

As he said, time and again, it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. That statement means a lot to me. With ASEAN, we make sure that the candle never goes out and its illumination is spread as it is shared throughout the region, and to the more than 700 million people that make up the ASEAN member-states.

I only pray that Filipinos will support the country’s hosting of ASEAN. It is our chance to redeem the country’s reputation, one that has been tarnished by the selfish actions of corrupt lawmakers and government officials. Let’s not let them ruin the country’s future. Unless change happens, investors will not buy into Philippines Inc. and all the efforts to strengthen the economy, reform our systems, upskill our workforce, strive for peace and order… these will have been for naught.

The private sector will do its part. I will do my best as chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council to make sure we do the heavy lifting where we can. I have committed Go Negosyo – the non-profit I founded 20 years ago to advocate for Filipino MSMEs – to double its presence in the country and have secured the support of the business chambers to continue to partner with us and broaden our reach so that we can, with our collective strength, help our MSMEs thrive.

The timing for our MSMEs can’t be more perfect as we take the lead for ASEAN; therefore, we cannot afford to fail them. Our MSMEs have the greatest potential to grow now. The world is watching the Philippines. The foreign media will be covering the events, reporting to the whole world what they will witness during ASEAN 2026. We need to project that we are ready to become what we’re destined to be: one of the region’s fastest-growing economies. We have to believe that, as Joecon said, YES, THE FILIPINO CAN.

Originally Published in Philippine Star