First, I would like to greet my father, Joecon, a belated birthday. He turned 83 last Dec. 29. He will be forever be known as the man who lit the candle than curse the darkness. He believed that true democracy is important and must start with clean elections. And that caused the birth of NAMFREL. He is my source of inspiration in starting Go Negosyo, nine years ago. He believed that every Filipino had the right to rise above poverty. This is the same dream we, in Go Negosyo, have to continue; to promote entrepreneurship as a path for progress and success. My father’s favorite song is the Impossible Dream. As the line in the song goes, “ And I’ll always dream the impossible dream”, may we always seek to reach our dreams no matter how impossible it may seem for others because, just like my father, we might be able to spark change and bring a brighter future for our nation.

Alice Eduardo, Ben Liuson and Sheila Marcelo

Another year will open ahead of us and as it slowly unveils itself, may we be as positive and as brave as last year. 2015 will be an exciting year because of the developments the Philippines can experience. First, we have the blessing of the Pope’s visit in a few weeks and the APEC Summit in the next few months. Also, entrepreneurs are preparing for the ASEAN Integration this year which can open doors of opportunities for them to expand and grow.

We must all be ready for the challenges as well this year. For sure, there will be challenges this year because that is what makes life exciting. But I am sure that with the genuine Filipino strength and spirit, we can all come out as survivors and champions.

I hope that everyone will experience greater prosperity and maximize potentials and opportunities offered. Let us all seek to be better, to progress and to develop.

Last week, I have shared with you the wishes and expectations of our fellow entrepreneurs for 2015:

Francis Laurel, Siu Ping Par and Jaime Ayala

“It’s clear from the latest outlook reports from financial institutions that higher inflation and low government spending led the reasons why actual growth fell short of target. But here’s where my optimism continues: the Philippines is still widely expected to be ASEAN’s fastest growing economy, second in Asia only to China. Rising overseas remittances will continue to fuel domestic spending and brighter global economic prospects in major trading partner economies signal well for Philippine exports.”

– Alice Eduardo, Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp.

“Expectations for 2015? There are several but for our country, I expect the robust and healthy economic growth enjoyed by businesses will be sustained. Moreover, that retail and franchising business will continue to expand, generating more for our countrymen. I believe that entrepreneurship will be the key to unlock economic opportunities to the ordinary wage earner. For TGP, it’s not an expectation but we shall continue to work hard on our goal and mission of providing our kababayans with franchise opportunities especially in the provinces. Mag-negosyo ka, and we shall work together, not with a manual of do’s and don’ts but with a system that works, as proven by many.”

– Ben Liuson, The Generics Pharmacy.

“I expect for more female leaders like Sec. Hilary Clinton and Christine Lagarde who will acknowledge building out care infrastructure as critical investment necessary to improve female participation in the workplace and thus, GDP growth. And Japan will take the lead in highlighting this to move womenomics in the country forward.”

– Sheila Marcelo, Care.com

“I expect a growing momentum for solar energy, social enterprise, and inclusive growth. I hope that 2015 will be a break out year for business, civil society, and government to work together to scale up effective solutions to our country’s biggest social challenges”

– Jaime Ayala, Hybrid Solutions

“My wish for the country is that the pace of economic growth will continue and its benefits are felt by all sectors. I wish also that more and more OFWs will return to the country to put up businesses here instead and in the process stir economic growth in the localities where they live while strengthening family bonds. For PR Gaz, my wish is that the growth of our store network will reach new heights next year, that we will be able to tap into new market opportunities and that we will make our brand presence felt in more areas in the Luzon and the rest of the country.”

– Siu Ping Par, PR Gaz

“2015 will be positive and vibrant. The Philippine economy will continue to maintain its momentum and may surpass all the other ASEAN countries. ASEAN Economic Integration will move the Philippine economy to greater heights. I wish for our country to have less politics and more ECONOMICS!”

– Francis Laurel, YKK