Each year, as Go Negosyo becomes older and as we reach out to different provinces all over the country, I cannot help but be amazed by the blessings that we have been receiving. For almost six years now, Go Negosyo was able to empower and enlighten Filipinos even in faraway provinces because of the community of advocates, entrepreneurs and mentors who have been keeping the entrepreneurship advocacy alive. Because of them, we wouldn’t be able to touch as many lives as we have now. And now, their efforts have put us on Forbes’ list of 48 Philanthropists of the Year.

In celebration of Go Negosyo’s sixth-year anniversary, we hosted an evening of “Pasasalamat” for our entrep advocates, Angelpreneurs and partners who have been helping spread the advocacy. And despite the rains from typhoon Falcon, we were very happy that many made it to the celebration. I took the opportunity to thank and honor them not only for sharing their time and knowledge, but also for their financial support that has allowed us to reach out to more Filipinos.

Pasasalamat was a simple gathering, but what made it special are the people who were with us — not just for the evening, but also for the past six years of Go Negosyo’s existence. Our ever-supportive partners PLDT SME Nation, Smart, RFM, Avon, BPI Family Ka-Negosyo, LBC, Unilever, Condura, DTI, GMA Network, The Philippine STAR, Citibank, Delta Airlines and the British Council were there. There were also friends from PFA led by chairman Robert Trota, as well as partners from the media such as Atty. Felipe Gozon of GMA Network.

Go Negosyo entreps and advocates were also there such as Sec. Greg Domingo and Usec. Merly Cruz from DTI, Prudencio Garcia of Mekeni, Edgar “Injap” Sia II of Mang Inasal, Esther Vibal of Vibal Publishing, Cynthia Villar of the Villar Foundation, Justin Uy of Profoods, Harley Sy, Tennyson Chen of Bounty Fresh, Henry Lim Bon Liong of SL Agritech, Johnlu Koa of French Baker and Topax Colayco of the Colayco Foundation, who was first to arrive followed by dean Pax Lapid.

The evening of Pasasalamat was also made more meaningful when PLDT chairman Manny V. Pangilinan shared a few kind words for Go Negosyo. I wouldn’t be able to mention everybody who came, but we thank you for spending your evening with us and for giving us more reasons to say, “Salamat.”

Then, just a few hours after the celebration ended early the next day, I was greeted by the news that Go Negosyo was included in Forbes magazine’s 48 Philanthropists of 2011. We want to share this honor with the entire Go Negosyo community for helping us bring into action our mission of helping more Filipinos through entrepreneurship education. Indeed, the Go Negosyo family and I have plenty of blessings to be thankful for.

Contact me at feedback@gonegosyo.net or my Joey Concepcion Facebook account. Visit www.gonegosyo.net. Watch the top-rating entrep show Go Negosyo: Kaya Mo! on GMA News TV 11 every Saturday and Sunday at 8-8:30 a.m. Get daily Go Negosyo Text Tips on your mobile phone by sending GONEGO to 2910.

Fred Uytengsu of Alaska, Joey Concepcion, TG Limcaoco of BPI Family Ka-Negosyo, and RFM Independent Board member Romeo Bernardo