Sen. Manny Villar, Mrs. Cynthia Villar, Joey Concepcion and Mon Lopez with part of the 3,000 plus OFWs who attended the 1st OFW & Family Summit at the World Trade Cente

MANILA, Philippines — The launch of the “1st OFW & Family Summit 2011: Kabuhayan Para sa Kinabukasan” last Nov. 24 at the World Trade Center was well-attended and successful that which it will now be a yearly event of the Villar Foundation and GoNegosyo.

“This summit was really conceptualized for our OFWs and their families. So we really ensured that every aspect of the event – from the program to the exhibitors, is focused on them. We want it to be worthwhile, educational and inspirational,” said Senator Manny Villar, chairman of the Villar Foundation, and who is a staunch supporter of OFWs.

Various speakers and Villar himself (as keynote speaker) provided the OFWs and the other attendees with insights and tips on entrepreneurship, from basic how-tos on starting a business and financing procedures.

OFWs-turned-entrepreneurs inspired the audience with their success stories. Former Saudi Arabia-based OFW Prudencio Garcia returned home to help out in their family business Mekeni, now one of the leading meat companies. Myrna Padilla, a former domestic helper, is now the owner of a BPO company.

The other speakers in the summit were Blas F. Ople Policy Center’s Toots Ople, Leonardo Dayao Sr. of Puregold, Dean Pax Lapid of Entrepreneur School of Asia, Natasha’s Victoria Villa, Hortaleza’s Dr. Rosalinda Hortaleza, and Armanda Bartolome of GMB Franchise Developers.

“This yearly OFW summit is not enough to repatriate them when they get into trouble, which we have been continuously doing. We also need to equip them with know-how and skills so they can use or invest their hard-earned money wisely,” said Villar Foundation’s Managing Director Cynthia A. Villar.

The Villar Foundation also raffled off a Camella house and lot while GoNegosyo gave away Swift and Kettle Corn cart businesses.

Resource persons from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) also spoke about OFW-related matters and bank financing, respectively. OFW-related government agencies such as OWWA, Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE), Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), Department of Trade & Industry, and Commission on Filipino Overseas also had information booths.

Barbie scores first horror flick 

Teen star Barbie Forteza is appearing in her first horror flick, “The Road” which is set to open on Nov. 30.

“Basta, panoorin na lang ninyo, ayokong maging killjoy. I don’t want to spill the beans. Nakakatakot talaga ang istorya ng movie na ito. Kakaiba,” the tween star said at the film’s presscon. “The Road,” the latest presentation of GMA Films, is Barbie’s second movie, the first being “Tween Academy: Class of 2012.”

Barbie shared that she plays the role of Ella who together with some friends went “on the road.” “Nagkayayaan kami. But what will happen to us on the road, abangan na lang ninyo,” she giggled.

“The Road” is a psychological suspense thriller directed by Yam Laranas who has directed horror films before, among them the Hollywood film “The Echo.”

Also in the cast are Carmina Villaroel, Marvin Agustin, Rhian Ramos, and TJ Trinidad together with Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes, Derrick Monasterio, Lexi Fernandez, Ynna Asistio, Renz Valerio, John Regala, Lloyd Samartino, Gerald Madrid, Allan Paule and Ms. Jaclyn Jose.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 28, go to Tessie Araneta Macasaet, Vina Trinidad, Elizabeth Lovely Sanvictores, Teresa Tunay, Jaycee Dacuycuy, Chai Medel, Bea Bermundo, Elbuen M. Salinas, Becky Florendo, Joji Pascual, Mila Lim, Alfonso Singson and Joross Gamboa…