Group to hold entrepreneurship summit for youth

With their thrust to encourage more people to become entrepreneurs in the country, the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) under the Go Negosyo program will hold a summit for the youth this Friday at JCenter Convention Hall

The event is in partnership with Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu as part of the homecoming event spearheaded by Batch’87.

In an interview yesterday, SHS-AdC Batch ’87 homecoming vice chairman Jay P. Aldeguer said that the event will be a whole-day event aimed at empowering the youth and encouraging them early to look at opportunities as an entrepreneur and start their own business.

Batch ’87 homecoming chairman John Dytian said that the group decided to mount an event that would have more impact on the community instead of just holding a party.

“We are in the middle of an entrepreneurship revolution with people going into business even when they are still very young. They consider it ‘cool’ to have their own business,” said Aldeguer who started selling T-shirts as a college student and ha since opened more enterprises after the success of his first business Islands Souvenirs.

According to Aldeguer, they are expecting to have about 2,000 students from different schools in Cebu to attend the event.

Successful young enterprenuers such as Bam Aquino, Cristalle Belo Henares, and Tomanny Tan and the man behind the success of “Folded and Hung” apparel brand Ronald Penida will attend the event as speakers.

According to PCE executive director Ramon Lopez, after eight years of the “Go Negosyo” campaign, they think they have to aim higher and recognize that the youth are now capable of doing business and being successful.

The Go Negosyo program has been focusing for the micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, helping them grow their business through improved business management skills.

PCE under their Go Negosyo campaign will also recognize 10 young Cebuano entrepreneurs during the event: Ken and Kaz Onozawa (Rhipstop Clothing); Jan Rodriguez (Irie Gastropub/Ila Puti Resto); Rachel Arandilla (Sprockets Milk Tea & Cafe); Jumbo Climaco (Fushu Shoes); Diane Uy-Ang (What a Girl Wants); Wesley Chiongbian (Mynimo.com); Dan Legarde (Japengo/ The Beat Restobar); Ranault Lao (Loft and Penthouse Restobars); Derek Dytian (Creative Cuisine); and, Blonx Tirol (93rd and 1st Radio Bar Lounge).

“They are good examples to the youth that indeed they can start their own business and grow it,” said Aldeguer./Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap