The 5th annual OFW and Family Summit was recently held last November 26, 2015 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. This year’s theme was “Ipon Mo, I-Negosyo Mo.”
Organized by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship Inc., Go Negosyo, and the Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance), the event was a massive success because it was attended by over 5,000 OFWs together with their families. The summit targeted to introduce current and former OFWs to entrepreneurial opportunities.
Manny Villar, former senate president and Founding Chairman of Villar Sipag Foundation, attended the event along with his wife Senator Cynthia Villar. Other distinguished guests include Congressman Mark Villar, Joey Concepcion, and Ramon Lopez (of Go Negosyo), and Yati Abdullah (of DHL Express Philippines).
Participants were treated to inspiring talks from the guest speakers regarding various topics. Among the forums held in the event included one that discussed how some former OFWs found greater success in their lives as entrepreneurs. There were also forums that tackled Agripreneurship as well as other business opportunities (direct selling, multi-level marketing, and franchising).
During the event, several raffles also drew winners among the participants with Marlene Cacho winning the grand prize of a Camella house and lot. Other lucky winners took home a Kettle Korn franchise, an All Day sari-sari store package, a K Servico Motorcycle, as well as Savers home appliances.
Several weeks ago, Sen. Cynthia Villar has emphasized the importance for OFWs to learn saving and investing their money, mentioning the role of the summit in that regard.
According to her, “We already heard countless stories about OFWs who after working for a long time abroad, went broke because they had no savings or alternative way to earn. Programs should be initiated and regularly held to help our OFWs become successful even without employment abroad.”
“The mindset should not be working abroad for the remainder of their life,” said Villar. “There should be a viable plan upon return to the Philippines that would make their earnings abroad grow.”