11 high schools join Go Negosyo event

ELEVEN senior high schools from the National Capital Region (NCR) participated in Go Negosyo's entrepreneurship mentoring event specifically designed for Filipino youths. Speaking before some 500 senior high school students at the Rizal High School in Pasig City on Thursday, Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion encouraged the students to explore entrepreneurship as part of several options after they leave school. "While you are still in school, think about what you want to be; the skills will come in time," Concepcion said during Go Negosyo's "Youthpreneur Program: Mentoring Future Entrepreneurs." "You can first look for a job, make your mistakes there, and then that's the time that you can become an entrepreneur," he added. Concepcion also encouraged the students to take advantage of digital technology and social media to build businesses by becoming content creators. He emphasized the importance of mentorship, as he told the students that he himself was mentored by more experienced businessmen when he started his businesses. Concepcion was joined by Education Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara to lead Youthpreneur, the nonprofit's school-based entrepreneurship mentoring program for senior high school students in public schools. The school-based entrepreneurship mentoring program aims "to promote an entrepreneurial mindset and increase financial literacy." Angara thanked Concepcion and the private sector for their initiative to grow the next generation of entrepreneurs. "Even the most successful businessman came from humble beginnings, from a small start," Angara said. "Being an entrepreneur is not easy," he added, as he thanked the private sector for helping create an ecosystem that makes it more conducive for young people to become entrepreneurs. Director Neil Vincent Sandoval, officer in charge (OIC) of the Department of Education (DepEd) for the Bureau of Curriculum Development, described entrepreneurship as "a pathway to empowerment, independence, and self-fulfillment." "The important role of entrepreneurship cannot be overstated," Sandoval said. Dr. Jocelyn Andaya, DepEd NCR regional director and OIC for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Operations, said "this is how we shape a brighter future for Filipinos." "We have to give Filipino learners a fighting chance at a decent future," she said. Angkas CEO George Royeca was the featured Go Negosyo speaker, imparting expert tips on entrepreneurship and how failure can be a powerful mentor. Sharing their knowledge on content creation via a discussion on "The Power Of Storytelling: Establishing Your Brand's Online Presence" were Linya-LinyaCo founder and creative director Ali Sangalang, content creator Jazzmine Sanchez, and Kangkong King co-founder and sales and marketing head Anne Gaw. The discussions were moderated by the event's host, Jeron Travel CEO Chal Lontoc-del Rosario. After the forums and discussions, the students convened into smaller groups for dedicated sessions with Go Negosyo mentors. The Youthpreneur Program has already been implemented nationwide for nearly a year in several key cities and provinces, including Cebu, Lucena, Laoag, Baguio, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and the National Capital Region. Participating students during the activity came from Rizal High School, Addition Hills Integrated School, Andres Bonifacio Integrated School, Bonifacio Javier National High School, Eulogio Rodriguez Integrated School, Highway Hills Integrated School, llaya Barangka Integrated School, Isaac Lopez Integrated School, Mandaluyong High School, Mataas na Paaralang Neptali A. Gonzales, and Jose Fabella Memorial School.