Flor G. Tarriela l March 23, 2023 l Manila Bulletin
March is National Women’s Month. A big day was the Women Summit event of Go Negosyo’s “Celebrating Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneurs” last Saturday at Ayala Malls . Accomplished and aspiring women entrepreneurs gathered with First Lady Liza Marcos, US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson, and “ women champions “ Joey Concepcion, and DTI Secretary Fred Pascual. The event honored 15 Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur awardees from 200 nominees.
Board of Judges Chair was Rosemarie Ong, Wilcon COO , with Agricultural Training Institute Director Remelyn Recoter, DTII USec Bles Lantoya, Engr. Merly Cruz, BizWomen Chair Mylene Abiva , Josephine Romero and PCW Chair Sandy Montano .The stories of the women awardees were inspiring although it was not always rosy, some bumps ahead but that’s what made these Filipina entrepreneurs amazing . Some of the awesome women awardees were:
Inclusive Business:
- Lorielinda Bella Marte of Tagolwanen Women Weavers Association (TWWA): She discovered the beauty of mat from tribal elders as a wedding gift and the TWWA was formed. Weavers are paid for every finished mat immediately and net profit is divided among all weavers at the end of the year.
Young Entrepreneur:
- Zarah Zanjani, Cubo Modular; used innovative technologies to build smart , inexpensive, sustainable and beautiful homes made of engineered bamboo.
- Glenda dela Cruz, Brilliant Skin Essentials; brilliant idea of black charcoal soap for natural and safe skin care products.
- Jesse Ann Villamil and Marilet Alcobendas, Pied Frenchie Inc.,turned their love for pets to make an all-natural ingredients free from any harmful chemicals pet treat busi
Most Promising Microenterprise – Kapatid Agri Mentor Me Program (KAMMP):
- Evelyn de Guzman Breguera, Abundance Agri-Tourism and Training Center Inc.,An ATI Learning site and TESDA accredited, provides free access through continuous education to out-of-school youth and empower farmers.
- Iloisa Diga, Session Groceries, started the use of online media and mobile app that connects local farmers and consumers to support agribusiness and sustainable lifestyle. 30% of their sales go to farmers.
- Liza Dane Kempis, Carpio and Kempis Food Hub, started a food cart with P2,000 as capital, ready to give up and , declare bankruptcy but then decided to enroll in KMME program of Go Negosyo instead and now with 50 outlets nationwide.
Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur:
- Rosanna Kabiling, Something Nice Environmental Corporation, a “Basurera with a Purpose”, an environmental advocate offering waste management services.
- Anna Marie Lagon, Bayo Manila Inc. A homegrown fashion brand dedicated to sustainability and establishing partnerships with local weaving communities. (Ambassador Delia Albert wear her products in style. )
- Sarah Deloraya-Mateo, SPD Jobs, Inc, provide solutions to clients (with software such as e-commerce, inventory systems and websites), propelling sustainability and providing decent jobs to Filipinos.
On the corporate side, the NextGen Organization of Corporate Directors (NOWCD) had a full house face to face event held recently at Manila House on “Understanding the Role of the Corporate Director” by former SEC Chair Tess Herbosa. NOWCD’s mission is to develop highly qualified women directors to become drivers of visionary and effective boards. Ms. Tess discussed the Revised Corporation Code, the rights, responsibilities, and the liabilities of a director, made interesting with her personal experiences and insights. She also discussed what a director should and should not do.
Its Women’s month. Aren’t you glad and thankful for the women in your family and life ? I am grateful for my mother, strong and industrious, a great model in family life and finance; an entrepreneur, that the Wesleyan University last year established the Carolina L. Gozon Institute of Lifelong Learning in her honor. My favorite sister, “bamboo queen” Kay Jimenez , kind and generous, is also an entrepreneur. Tricia our only daughter , currently based in Guam, is following their footsteps as a homemaker, part time employee and a business woman, all in one.
Lets acknowledge the women in our lives. Lets also try to be the Proverbs 31 woman.
*** Ms. Tarriela, a FINEX trustee, was former chairman of Philippine National Bank. former Undersecretary of Finance and the First Filipina Vice President of Citibank N.A. She is a trustee of FINEX. A gardener and an environmentalist, she founded Flor’s Garden in Antipolo.