First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion led nearly 2,000 women entrepreneurs in celebrating Women Breaking Boundaries at the Women Summit 2025 held last March 15 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City. Joining them were Dr. Vicki Belo, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Department of Trade and Industry Sec. 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 Margarita Fores, who was given a posthumous Woman of Legacy Award.
Some of the winners of the Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Award were 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 M. Tan, Cholly Mones Magpayo, and Kim Frances Yao Lato.
“The Philippines has so many opportunities for women entrepreneurs,” said Concepcion, citing government statistics showing that women lead more than half of the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country. “Our biggest problem is poverty, and when we help women become entrepreneurs, we contribute so much to the solution.”
“As a former businesswoman, I have seen the power of women entrepreneurship,” said Sec. Roque. “You could be the next big success story.” The Women Summit event was also the venue for the awarding of the annual Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Award, honoring outstanding Filipina entrepreneurs cross various industries.
Among the panel discussions were Women Breaking Boundaries featuring Filipinas who have broken the glass ceiling, 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 Beauty Beyond Borders. The event also honored Dr. Vicki Belo and the late Margarita Fores with the Woman of Legacy Award.
This was the 17th year of the Women Summit, which was formerly called Go Negosyo Filipina Entrepreneurs Summit. The event has become a venue for women entrepreneurs to discuss issues facing women-led MSMEs and gain insights and inspiration from women who have built successful businesses.
