ROBERT, ISAY AT CSE TRADE FAIR JAN.

29-
31

Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez-Seña will be leading the lineup of

featured entrepreneurs at the Center for Small Entrepreneurs’ (CSE) 3rd
Annual Trade Fair on January 29-31, 2010 at the SM Megamall’s Megatrade
Exhibit Hall 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The event, dubbed “Entreps Exposed: Finding the Real Filipino

Entrepreneurs,” probes the early origins of the country’s earliest business
ventures in an attempt to define the Filipino entrepreneur’s unique socio-
cultural identity. Spurred by the belief that one step backward can lead to
ten steps forward, the CSE is optimistic about history’s integral role in
providing the missing link and attaining a more holistic perspective in
today’s technology-driven business milieu.

Originally scheduled last November 20-22, the trade fair was

rescheduled for the end of this month to give ample time for small
businesses to recoup the losses they incurred during last year’s typhoons.
The CSE also feels more optimistic about bigger and brighter prospects as
they mount the very first trade fair for the year.

Heeding the timely call for unity and cooperation, CSE Executive
Director Jennifer Reyes reiterates, “History has taught us that the Filipino’s
indomitable spirit, resilience and creativity have always enabled us to
triumph over adversity. With the widespread damage wrought by the recent
typhoons, it’s time to harness that strength as we start rebuilding anew and
take small steps towards self-empowerment.”

Thankfully, people from all walks of life are heeding the call of
entrepreneurship – even in showbiz. Robert and Isay have been successfully
running their own performing arts school, Spotlight Artists Centre for the
past two years. “Our mission really is to heed the call of the artist in all of
us,” Isay shares. “Do what you love doing, and everything will follow. The
strength of the business just goes to show how many of us want to nurture
their artistic dreams, and believe me, from the potentially world-class talents
that we’ve been seeing, I can say that we Filipinos are truly a talented
bunch.”

Robert adds, “From a business perspective, entrepreneurship inspires

you to find your own creative niche, which is the essential blueprint of most
great business ventures. That’s the main reason why we are very
enthusiastic and supportive of the CSE’s endeavors, like this trade fair. “Start
small, dream big.”

Among the highlights of the three-day fest are livelihood skills demos
and informative discussions facilitated by respected academicians and
successful entrepreneurs. In the likes of the keynote speaker Mr. Cecilio
Pedro, President and CEO of Lamoiyan Corporation (Hapee Toothpaste). More
than 100 locally-made products will be exhibited in the various booths, which
are open to all types of micro-businesses. Interested entrepreneurs can still
avail of exhibitors booths and be one of the many budding and growing
micro entrepreneurs who will showcase their products.

Established in 1996, the CSE attained its NGO status on January 31,
1997. Propelled by the belief that micro entrepreneurs have the capability to
become potent forces in the task of nation-building, the Asian Social Institute
and the Association for Technical Cooperation, a Belgian NGO, founded CSE
to serve as a service centre for budding, vision-driven and growth-oriented
entrepreneurs.
 Interested parties who would like to exhibit their products or simply
join the “ENTREPS EXPOSED” trade fair may call CSE’s Marketing Unit at
524-1879 or 0919-3755850 and look for Ms. Leng Baluyot. For details you
may also log on to: www.csentrepinoy.org.ph.

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