2nd OFW & Family Summit 2012: Stronger in Year 2

 2nd OFW & Family Summit

The role of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) is undeniably important to the Philippine economy. As they remit cash for their families and relatives from whichever country they are around the world back to the Philippines. These serves as cash inflows into the country.

On the other hand, more than just the homesickness and the challenges they have to bear in the country where they are working, the increasing number of OFWs has also contributed to more broken families, which is considered a basic building block of the society to a country like the Philippines where familial relations are of utmost importance.

OFW & Family Summit 2012

Furthermore, if ever the OFWs are back home in the Philippines for good, most of them are left without savings due to prior lack of financial foresight. Some also find it hard to work in their own home country. When they venture into business, most of them fail due to lack of business intelligence.

OFW & Family Summit

It is a good thing that GoNegosyo and the Villar Foundation has come up with the OFW & Family Summit which started last year. This was establish to assist and help former OFWs who have come backed home to the Philippines. With focus on business and entrepreneurship building, the OFW & Family Summit sponsors talks, seminars, and avenues to equip former OFWs who want to start a business in the Philippines.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

2nd OFW & Family Summit (2012)

The 2nd OFW & Family Summit was held last November 22, 2012 at the World Trade Center pioneered by the Villar Foundation and GoNegosyo. Mrs. Cynthia Villar, Senator Manny Villar and Joey Concepcion led the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

With an additional online registration at http://www.ofwsummit2012.villarfoundation.org/, multiple sponsor booths/exhibitors and top notch speakers from different industries, this year's 2nd OFW & Family Summit became a success.

GoNegosyo

Mrs. Cynthia Villar of Villar Foundation

Joey Concepcion of GoNegosyo

Some of the speakers who graced the event include Hon. Mayor Antonio Calixto of Pasay City, Mr. Ramon Lopez (Executive Director, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship), and angelpreneur Henry Tenedero. Some of the forum panelists were Mike Casas, Annie Sitjar, and Cherry Yack.

Mrs.Cynthia Villar, Managing Director of the Villar Foundation was the keynote speaker. Exhibitors include DTI, DFA, Tindahan ni Aling Puring, Avon, and Fern-C, among others.

Mrs. Cynthia Villar as Keynote Speaker

Panelists on Entrepreneurship

Angelpreneur Henry Tenedero

Mayor Antonio Calixto of Pasay City

A motorcycle and food cart franchises from Kettle Korn and RFM were also raffled off during the day. Later in the afternoon, the 2nd OFW & Family Summit was highlighted, to the crowd's uproar, with the raffle of a brand new house and lot from Camella Homes. Similarly last year, a house and lot was also raffled-off to an OFW. The grand winner was a seaman from Greece named Russel Nalayog.

OFW Seaman Russel Nalayog wins Camella Homes House & Lot

Onwards to the 3rd OFW & Family Summit 2013!

Christmas indeed came early for the family of Russel Nalayog who won the Camella Homes house & lot. But more than the raffle items, it is the knowledge and skills the OFW attendees gained that day from the 2nd OFW & Family Summit which was of greater value.