Villar Foundation and GoNegosyo : OFW' s Guide for a Better Future

When I was in college, I applied for a job overseas. My parents opposes to this idea since I was so young then and there are so many negative stories about working overseas.  For me, working overseas is also a means to save up some funds and have my own business in preparation for my family’s future. I am just one of the few who wish to go overseas and have a happy story to tell, but not all oversea workers have a smile when they return to our country. Whatever their story maybe, happy or not; someone is there to help, to assist, to inform, to guide.

Entrance at the 2nd OFW and Family Summit 

OFW and their families while waiting for the program to start

Last Nov. 22, I attended a summit for the OFW and their family at the World Trade Center, Pasay City. Villar Foundation partnering with GoNegosyo presents the 2^nd OFW and Family Summit.  A huge number of Overseas Filipino Workers and their families attended the one day summit that aims to provide information, opportunities and inspirations to the attendees. The summit also encourages embarking OFW and their families to embark on business of their own.

Senator Manny Villar and Cynthia Villar –Chairman and Managing Director, respectively of the Villar foundation-joined by Pasay City Mayor Antonio Calixto representative, Go Negosyo’s founding trustee Joey Concepcion and Executive Director Ramon Lopez led the ribbon cutting ceremony.

So much information was gathered as former OFW’s Mike Casas, Annie Sitjar and Cherry Yack shared their experiences and the challenges they face before becoming successful in their chosen business. Cassas has embarked on bottled sardines while Sitjar and Yack ventured into a poultry business

Joey Concepcion - GoNegosyo

As for the shifting of paradigm, there’s Henry Tenedero who talked about entrepreneurial mindset dubbed as Tamang Pananaw Para sa Negosyong Hataw while  Ivy Hayagan of Tindahan ni Aling Puring and Willing Camarillo of Finds Convenience tackled spotting business opportunities under the theme Maghanap ng Negosyong Hot na Hot. Dean Pax Laped and Richie Cuna discussed financial literacy and how to start a business. Raju Mandhyan of Vista Land and Terso Sahilan of Tech Pacific College discussed Skills Up. Speakers from other exhibitors and sponsors such as Avon and Fern-C (food supplement), discussed other earning opportunities in dealership or distributorship.

Starting small, they're now making good money while enjoying life with their loved ones in the country. And so, there's no need for them to work abroad, and this is what Villar Foundatin together with GoNegosyo have been espousing , giving our OFWs and their families an option to earn a living - Mrs. Cynthia Villar

Lucky participants also won raffle prizes including a house and lot from Camella Homes, motorcycles from Motortrade, sari-sari stores from Puregold and Finds Convenience Store, Kettle Korn machines from RFM Corp. and dealership kit from Fern-C were among the prizes that were given.

Last year Winner of House and Lot from Camella Homes is present to try again her luck to win and learn from the summit

Lucky participants also won raffle prizes including a house and lot from Camella Homes, motorcycles from Motortrade, sari-sari stores from Puregold and Finds Convenience Store, Kettle Korn machines from RFM Corp. and dealership kit from Fern-C  were among the prizes that were given.