Senator Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday called on young entrepreneurs to declare their visions and turn them into reality for Central Luzon.
In his message during the Young Entrepreneurs of Pampanga (YEP) General Membership Meeting held in Clark, Pampanga on February 27, 2025, the senator pointed to Clark as a prime example of turning vision into reality.
“In 2007, Senator Pia and I were the few ones who were saying ‘Pagandahin ninyo ang Clark at Subic.’ At that time, it was not yet logical. But now, you go around Clark and you see the changes… It is incredible,” he said.
Cayetano, who chairs the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, underscored the importance of vision, declaration, and repentance to Central Luzon’s young and aspiring entrepreneurs.
First, he emphasized the power of vision, likening it to creating artwork: “In life, the unseen precedes the seen. The unseen is powerful… You already have a vision before the programs are written down and before you see the funding.”
Cayetano encouraged the youth to focus on their business vision while also urging them to keep their vision for the region in mind. “May mangyayari pang maganda sa Pampanga at Central Luzon. It is your job as young entrepreneurs to see and visualize it,” he said.
The senator also urged them not just to envision it but to declare it, emphasizing the power of words. “Dapat mayroong spoken proclamation ang inyong vision,” he said.
Finally, he stressed the need for repentance — not in the traditional sense but in changing the way one thinks.
“Repentance is not just saying ‘sorry.’ It’s changing our mindset… If aspiring people then who are now successful businessmen listened to the wrong thinking, where would they be today? Someone surely told them, ‘May pag-asa ka, you can make it,’” he said.
As their ‘Kuya Alan,’ he advised the youth to avoid the “bahala na” mindset and adopt tenacity.
“Once you have the vision, kailangan may tenacity ka papunta doon. Very clear dapat sa ’yo ang pitfalls and threat. Sabi sa Bible, no one builds a tower without counting the cost,” he said.
As a public official, he also encouraged them to seize the opportunities now available in Central Luzon, highlighting the unique mindset, attitude, and mentality that entrepreneurs possess.
“I’m happy ngayon na ang nasa background ay ang Pampanga Chamber of Commerce at ang nakaharap ay young entrepreneurs. It’s a good sign that not only are you becoming more active but more assertive. Ang future ay nasa inyo,” he said.
“Young people, nasa inyo ang pag-asa. We just want you to know that we believe in you. You can do better than us. God bless you!” he added.
