JOEY CONCEPCION is a gentleman of stature who truly cares and has a brilliant mind with a heart of gold. He recently launched ?21 Steps on How to Start Your Own Business? as part of the Go Negosyo book series. A must-have book, dahlings, it provides Filipinos with ?precedents, as well as tried-and-tested formulas in starting, sustaining and succeeding in a business.?

?After three books aiming to inspire people, it is time that we come out with a book on ?How to Negosyo,?? said Concepcion, the awesome founding trustee of Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE). ?By getting this book, you start to build and reinforce your level of confidence in putting up a business.?

Authored by Dean Pax Lapid of the Entrepreneurs School of Asia, and self-help guru and motivational speaker Ping Sotto, the book is a guide to start a business, and has ?myth-busting anecdotes that will free one from ill preconceived notions that discourage him from fulfilling his dream.?

?The challenge to start a business is the ?getting started? part,? added Concepcion. ?They have the fear, the so many questions on ?how to,? and the usual questions on government red tape? But the government red tape part of putting up a business is nothing compared to the real challenges. With this book, although it may not assure success in a negosyo you enter, it will definitely give you a better chance to succeed,? Concepcion concluded.

For all aspiring entrepreneurs, PCE?s other books are ?Go Negosyo 50 Inspiring Entrepreneurial Stories,? ?Go Negosyo 50 Inspiring Stories of Entrepreneurs (Celebrity Edition),? and ?Go Negosyo 55 Inspiring Stories of Women Entrepreneurs,? all available at National Book Store branches, dahlings.

PCE introduces the new face of Angelpreneurs, who aim to help more Filipino entrepreneurs soar to the top.

PCE, a non-stock and non-profit organization, bids to make the Philippines a thriving entrepreneurial nation by instilling among Filipinos a mind-set of optimism and a culture of entrepreneurship.

Check it out, people. After all, no guts, no glory, 'di bala, palanggas?

Luis Ablaza?s 71st birthday

Surprise bashes come and go, but this was one awesome birthday party for business magnate and vintage car collector, popular Consul Luis Ablaza?s 71st hosted by his family ? hostess with the mostest, wife Mellie; sons Marc and Junjun; and daughter Czarina Syquia, dahlings.

It ain?t easy to hide a secret from Louie so his wife, Consul of Guatemala Mellie Romero-Ablaza and daughter Czarina had made up a story that they ?were attending a fashion show.?

To get Louie to the Manila Polo Club, his son Marc told his dad they had to meet a friend to discuss plans of ?buying another car to add to his collection.? But more difficult was planning the bash, palanggas, and keeping a minimum number of guests. Lily del Rosario and Marite Ilagan suggested the menu for that evening. While Jet Carpio hired go-go dancers for a dash of fun, dahlings.

As always, talented and multifaceted Junjun converted the Turf Room of the Manila Polo Club into an elegant disco with mirrorballs galore. Guests included the Association of Pawnbrokers of the Philippines, Jaycees, Lion and the diplomatic corps.

Well, palanggas, needless to say, it was a well-planned party with no one ?spilling the beans.?

Leave it to the Ablazas, dahlings, to always host a fun, colorful happening like this.

Cheers to our King for a Day, Luis Ablaza, Consul General of Zambia.

New Rizal ballroom dazzles

Makati Shangri-La welcomed our town?s crème de la crème to the official relaunch of its fabulous crowning jewel, the Rizal Ballroom, with a theatrical and epicurean bash titled ?The Debut: Rizal Ballroom Relaunched,? dahlings.

The renovated ballroom, still the most posh and spacious events venue in the city, lived up to its lavish splendor with a magnificent program, overflowing champagne and gastronomical pleasures.

Society?s elegant set enjoyed the awesome opening and breathtaking interiors that evoke timeless refinement, palanggas.

In his short speech, well-respected Reto Klauser, area manager-general manager of Makati Shangri-La, said, ?This evening, we will not talk about the fine fabrics we?ve used nor will we brag about the intelligence of our light system. This evening is going to be about celebration.? And celebrate we all did, dahlings, with sumptuous courses entwined with the ?Mamma Mia? musical extravaganza directed by multitalented Audie Gemora, no less.

?This is only a preview of more memorable affairs to happen at the Rizal Ballroom,? said one of the hotel?s hottest, supreme assets, Joy Wassmer, palanggas.

Contact Monette Atilano, assistant communications manager, Makati Shangri-La, Manila, at 8138888 local 71052; e-mail ramonapatria.atilano@shangri-la.com.

CWC annual ball

They are turning 88, dahlings, and celebrating it with a grand ball called ?Ang Ating Kahapon Sa Ngayon,? September 11, 6:30 p.m., at the Main Lounge of the Polo Club. The Filipiniana motif is reminiscent of the era of our nation?s history, palanggas.

A rigodon de honor led by CWC?s dedicated president Nonie Basilio and past presidents, plus a rhythmic paso-doble number performed by CWC members, will highlight the event.

Proceeds will support the newly launched vocational scholarship program for the poor in cooperation with the Don Bosco Vocational Institute of Makati and other club charities.

Chair of this year?s ball is adorable Karen Macasaet with co-chairs Rose Lazaro, Rosita Lesaca and Mabel Abaño.

Check it out. It?s giving for a good cause while having a great
time, dahlings.