Entrepreneurs urged to take advantage of improved PH image

Johnlu Koa

When I joined the Go Negosyo movement 10 years ago, the name itself was enough to convince me that it was all for a good cause.

Although the objectives were not so clear to me at the start, it became clearer only after several gatherings that the movement was about introducing a new mindset or notion about entrepreneurship among young and hopeful Filipinos.

On launching day a decade ago, I distinctly remember that it coincided with the Oakwood Mutiny.

While guests and participants were pouring into the venue at the Market Market, a coup was happening at the nearby Marines headquarters at the Fort. I thought for a while that we might have gotten ourselves in harm’s way. At that time, Rico Hizon was hosting the event and had just introduced Professor Charlie Chao as the next speaker.

After his talk on “Feng Shui and business,” I immediately approached him and asked about his impression about the ensuing coup. After doing a few computations using the time, day and month as bases, his answer to me was simply “don’t worry, the coup will not succeed.” He was proven right.

Ten years went by quickly. I was privileged to have joined several speaking engagements that took us around the country.

I made acquaintances and friends along the way who shared the same vision and purpose of GoNegosyo.

I admire its founders led by Joey Concepcion for being persistent in its purpose of bringing a mindset change, especially among the young enterprising Filipinos across the nation.

Ten years hence, we are lucky to find ourselves living in a new economic environment with several country rating upgrades which were uncommon when the movement started.

With a better country image for the Philippines, it is now up to us Filipino entrepreneurs to make the most out of it. We need to work harder to create value for our respective businesses and to be able to compete more effectively in the market place. (Koa is founder and CEO of The French Baker Inc.)