March 15, 2025

First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Dr. Vicki Belo, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Department of Trade and Industry Sec. Cris Roque, and Angkas founder Angeline Tham were only some of the power women at Go Negosyo’s Women Summit 2025 event last March 15 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City. They joined Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion in celebrating Filipina entrepreneurs at the annual event to mark Women’s Month.

“The Philippines has so many opportunities for women entrepreneurs,” said Concepcion, citing government statistics showing that women lead more than half of MSMEs in the country. “Our biggest problem is poverty, and when we help women become entrepreneurs, we contribute so much to the solution,” he said.

“As a former businesswoman, I have seen the power of women entrepreneurship,” Sec. Roque told the nearly 2,000 women entrepreneurs present during the event, as she encouraged them to “go for it. You could be the next big success story.” The Women Summit event was also the venue for the awarding of the annual Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Award, honoring outstanding Filipina entrepreneurs for their leadership across various industries and their contribution to economic growth and job creation.

The event was a day of learning sessions and one-on-one mentoring for women entrepreneurs. Among the panel discussions were Women Breaking Boundaries featuring Filipinas who have broken the glass ceiling, Women on TikTok Shop, Women Who Create, Redefining Success as Mompreneurs, Bringing Out Your Best Self, Reinventing the Skincare Business, Women Creating the Tech of Tomorrow, Women-Enabler platforms, Forging Online Rockstars, and Filipina Beauty Beyond Borders. Forums featuring the winners of the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Awards shared their stories of the entrepreneurial journey and overcoming obstacles.

The event also honored Dr. Vicki Belo and the late Margarita Fores with the Woman of Legacy Award.

This was the 17^th year of the Women Summit, which was formerly called Go Negosyo Filipina Entrepreneurs Summit. The event has become a venue for women entrepreneurs to discuss issues facing women-led MSMEs, specifically the challenges women face in Philippine society. Attendees also can gain insights and inspiration from women who have overcome these challenges and built successful businesses.