BABAE, TAGUMPAY KA NG BAYAN! The 2010 National Women’s Day Celebration
Manila – In celebration of the National Women’s Day, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) spearheaded the mobilization of thousands to strengthen the advocacy on women advancement through a women summit with the theme “Babae, Tagumpay Ka ng Bayan!”
The 2nd Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit, the highlight of the National Women’s Month celebration, was held on Monday, March 8 from 9:00am to 5:00 pm at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The event was in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE). Said to be bigger and bolder than last year’s, the 2nd Go Negosyo Women Summit lived up to the expectations of thousands of women and men from various government offices, non-government organizations, LGUs, colleges and universities, and private sector who joined the day-long festivities.
Gracing the occasion is no less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who expressed pride in her term’s accomplishments in relation to raising the status of Filipino women. She thanked PCW Chairperson Myrna T. Yao and Go Negosyo founder/Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion several times for reinforcing her desire to empower women through entrepreneurship engagement. PGMA honored nine Go Negosyo – PCW Inspiring Women of the Year Awardees who greatly contributed to nation building and development. They are Leonarda Camacho of the Metro Manila Linis Ganda, veteran singer/entrepreneur Pilita Corrales, Linda Legaspi of the Marylindbert International, Regina Paz Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation, economist Solita Monsod, Esther Vibal of Vibal Publishing House, Marixi Prieto of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Rosalind Wee of the Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women, and English teacher Maria Cristina Medina of the Laguna Resettlement Community School.
PCW Chair Yao underscored PGMA’s priority concern by saying that economically empowered women help build a stronger nation. “Women economic empowerment is the bedrock foundation of all other measures to uplift the living conditions of our Filipino women and be able to fight all forms of discrimination against women including violence” says PCW Chair Yao.
PCW Chair Yao went on to note that the country has a lot of reasons to celebrate. She enumerated the following: the Philippines ranked 9th among countries which have achieved gender equality, PCW celebrates its 35th anniversary, and R.A 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women was signed into law. Moreover, Chair Yao was quick to add that the country is applauded for its achievements in gender parity in the 54th Session of the United Nation Commission on the Status of Women.
Meanwhile, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion launched his 5th Tagumpay book featuring 100 inspiring stories of women and men microentrepreneurs who almost started from scratch but succeeded.
Seminars on business opportunities and tips as well women issues were simultaneously held. PCE took on Seminar Room A which featured talks on all business-related matters while PCW was in charge with Seminar Room B that discussed issues that matter most to women such as family relations, business franchising, microfinance, and political participation. And to add up to the festive mood, over 400 booths with various products and services were set up and entertainment were provided by some of the country’s top performers like Pilita Corrales, Pops Fernandez, Erik Santos and La Diva.
The 2nd Go Negosyo Women Entrepreneurship Summit was in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Livelihood Development Corporation (NLDC).
The National Women’s Day Celebration is a commemoration for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of women’s human rights and the recognition of women’s triumphs over life’s trials. It is also supported by Statement Magazine and Mod Magazine.
