From Mentee to Mentor
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." Winston Churchill
During the first year or two of Malingkat Weaves, I would patiently line up at Go Negosyo mentoring events to get a chance for “airtime” with different entrepreneurs and business professionals, especially those who were in the space I wanted Malingkat to be in. It was through these events that I met and spoke with the women behind two of my favorite local brands and who I look up to for the community work and advocacy they are doing through their enterprises - Zarah Juan and Reese Fernandez-Ruiz. These consultations only lasted about 30 minutes, but the insights they generously shared have stayed with me until now.
With Ms. Zarah Juan at a Go Negosyo event last 2019
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to be at the receiving end of different mentorship programs - from Bayan Academy, BPI Sinag, DTI Rizal, Ashoka Philippines, Global Sisters, IDEAS Project, and to cross paths with many other entrepreneurs who understand the joys and struggles of being an MSME/social enterprise, who celebrate every triumph and empathize with every challenge, who continuously inspire and motivate, value collaboration over competition, and always generous with their time, support, and pieces of advice.
BPI Sinag Accelerate Awarding last September 2019
DIWA (Ashoka) Philippines Alumni Gathering of Women Social Entrepreneurs last July 2023
With friends and colleagues from REMAI during the IDEAS Digital Training Batch 2 graduation
It’s a great privilege to have had all these learning opportunities and connections and this year, I’m paying it forward by being a volunteer mentor at the same Go Negosyo events I used to line up for.
With my first mentee at my first Go Negosyo event as mentor last January 2024
The most recent one last August 8 was quite special because it brought together many Rizal-based mentors and entrepreneurs including fellow members of the Rizal Exporters and Manufacturers Association, Inc. - REMAI and batchmates from different DTI programs (KMME/OTOP). It also became a wonderful opportunity to make new acquaintances among the local business community.
The fun and happy bunch of Rizal mentors. Thank you to the owner of this photo.
With the hardworking team of DTI Rizal and Go Negosyo organizing committe.
With mentee and fellow REMAI member Aschee. We also learn and get inspired by the mentees.
Thank you Go Negosyo and all its partners for providing these spaces to connect, learn, and give back.