First lady graces Go Negosyo Women Summit

FIRST lady Liza Araneta-Marcos graced the Go Negosyo Women Summit 2025 held Saturday in Parañaque City.

Also present were Vicki Belo, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Secretary Cris Roque of the Department of Trade and Industry, and Angkas founder Angeline Tham, among others.

“The Philippines has so many opportunities for women entrepreneurs,” said Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion III, who cited government statistics that showed that women lead over half of micro, small, and medium enterprises in the country.

LEADING LADIES First lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion III lead nearly 2,000 women entrepreneurs in celebrating Women Breaking Boundaries at the Women Summit 2025 held in Parañaque City on March 15, 2025. Present were Dr. Vicki Belo, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Trade Secretary Cris Roque, Angkas founder Angeline Tham, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (PCCI) George Barcelon, PCCI Parañaque, Philippine Commission on Women’s Myrna Yao and Rosemarie Rafael, Womenbiz’s Rhoda Caliwara, Philippine Retailers Association’s Rosemarie Ong, and the family of the late Gaita Fores, who was given a posthumous Woman of Legacy Award. Also in the photo were the 15 winners of the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Award, namely Kassandra Beatrice Monzon, Rachelle Cereno-Leones, Kara Samson, Dina Dela Paz Stalder, Maricor Monton Flores, Engr. Leonora Salvane, Karen Jane Saluta-Krukover, Kat Bautista, Kris Ivone Santos,Melanie Alzona Medrano, Abigail Ricohermoso, Janice Osenio Cadsi, Nenita Tan, Cholly Mones Magpayo, and Kim Frances Yao Lato. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 

“Our biggest problem is poverty, and when we help women become entrepreneurs, we contribute so much to the solution,” he said.

Roque told the almost 2,000 women entrepreneurs at the event, “As a former businesswoman, I have seen the power of women entrepreneurship.”

She encouraged them to “go for it” then said, “You could be the next big success story.”

Learning sessions and one-on-one mentoring were held during the summit.

The panel discussions included Women Breaking Boundaries, Women on TikTok Shop, Women Who Create, Redefining Success as Mompreneurs, Bringing Out Your Best Self, Reinventing the Skincare Business, Women Creating the Tech of Tomorrow, Women-Enabler platforms, Forging Online Rockstars, and Filipina Beautiful Beyond Borders.

The summit was also the venue for the awarding of the yearly Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Award.

Belo and the late chef Margarita Fores were honored with the Woman of Legacy Award.

The summit, formerly the Go Negosyo Filipina Entrepreneurs Summit, is in its 17th year.

“The event has become a venue for women entrepreneurs to discuss issues facing women-led MSMEs, specifically the challenges women face in Philippine society. Attendees also can gain insights and inspiration from women who have overcome these challenges and built successful businesses,” Go Negosyo said in a statement.