The Personal remittances from the Filipinos abroad increased by 6.2 percent to $12.7 billion in the first half of the year from $11.9 billion in the same period last year, according to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

As the Philippine economy shows positive signs of its continuous growth and OFWs remittance jumps every year, more and more OFWs are leaning towards entrepreneurship.

In 2013, 3,397 OFWs started their business under the government’s Livelihood and Enterprise Development Program.

This coincides to what was predicted by marketing experts that Asia is becoming an affluent society. This trend will push OFWs to rethink their current status and try their future in the Philippines by reintegrating in the society and using their hard earned money to start a business.

At the same time, while economies in the world slow down and ASEAN Integration implementation starts next year more opportunities are opening-up for OFWs in dipping their hands in business.

Add to the fact that entrepreneurship and business education is widespread and readily available to those who wish to learn.

One event where the OFWs can speed-up their education and exposure to entrepreneurship is the upcoming 11^th MegaBalikbayan OFW Expo, Dec. 18-20, 2014 at SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, Philippines.

11^th MegaBalikbayan OFW Expo is an event advocating OFWs to be Entrepreneurs and start their own business. The event organizers believe that OFWs have the capacity and DNA to be successful entrepreneurs.

Villar SIPAG, United Filipino Seafarers, Philhealth, Pag-IBIG Fund, LBC, Toyota Cubao, Metistrade, and Sun Cellular support the 11th MegaBalikbayan OFW Expo.

Villa SIPAG will be represented by Senator Cynthia Villar, who is also the keynote speaker of the event during the first day, she will donate school chairs to selected schools as part of the event.

On the other hand, the United Filipino Seafarers (UFS) is a seafarers group that boasts 11,000 members.

UFS members can visit the event for FREE by presenting their UFS membership I.D.s.

Some of the highlights of the 11^th MegaBalikbayan OFW Expo are the 6^th Outstanding OFW and Balikbayan Reputation Award (OBRA), OFW SME Business Summit, and United Filipino Seafarers Financial Growth for Seafarers.

6^th Outstanding OFW and Balikbayan Reputation Award (OBRA) recognizes OFWs and Balikbayan that are successful in the following areas: Entrepreneurship, Community Building, Work Ethics, Personal Deeds and Characters, and Blogging.

Some of the winners will be presented during the December 2 Press Conference at Blackboard Restaurant, Ortigas Center.

The 11^th MegaBalikbayan OFW Expo has a co-located event the 2^nd International Travel Festival. The National Association of Independent Travel Agencies  (NAITAS) supports The 2^nd International Travel Festival.

NAITAS is the largest travel agency association in the country.

The OFW SME Business Summit set Dec. 19, 2014 is a free event for OFWs and OFW Families. The summit present successful OFW Entrepreneurs, Financial Gurus and Marketing Experts.

The OFW SME Business Summit was designed to further the knowledge and skills of the OFWs on entrepreneurship and starting a business.

The United Filipino Seafarers Financial Growth for Seafarers targets the OFWs, specifically the seafarers. This forum aims to uplift the financial literacy of the seafarers and OFWS.

Besides these activities, there are a total of 150 exhibitors that offer business opportunities, partnerships and discounts on their products and services.

In the span of 11 years the MegaBalikbayan OFW Expo has grown tremendously and served the entrepreneurial needs of the OFWs and Balikbayan. A lot of companies used the event to engage directly with the OFWs and Balikbayan.

OFWs and Balikbayans use the event to gather more information on entrepreneurship and find suitable business partners.

Some of the participating exhibitors are Brothers International, Ambertronics, Citi Wellness, Generics Pharmacy, Dadas Litson, HIRO, Royale Homes, DDC Land, Casa-Tu Realty, Julie’s Bakeshop, Enchanted Kingdom, Chinabank, Ka-Entrep, For Global City, RCBC, Lipa Buko Juice, K and R United, World Traveller, Bangs Tony and Jackey, Bioessence.

The event is supported by the following media partners: Business World, When in Manila, Balikbayan Magazine, Asian Journal, Franchising PH, Light Network, Voice of the Youth, Business Insight, Money Sense, DZME, Asenso Pinoy, Busy Bee, Sweet Day, Whoa TV, Wazzup Pilipinas and Tinig ng Marino.

Currently, the event has few promotion space left. For interested parties you can call tel. no. 643-3887 and 633-0153.

For more information you can visit www.megabalikbayanofwexpo.com.ph and www.facebook.com/MegabalikbayanOfwExpo

The event is produced and organized by Exlinkevents. Exlinkevents is one of the top professional congress and exhibition organizers in the country. It is recognized by the Department of Tourism.

“Celebrating and recognizing the contributions of more than 10 million OFW and Balikbayans being the modern heroes of today to Philippines progress and development, is perhaps one of the most meaningful programs that we have for the year.”

Mr. Cesar C. Canabal, Sector Head- Eurotel Group of Hotels, said Tuesday during the meeting with ExLink Events Management Corp.

Each OFW has a beautiful story of courage and patience. And we join hands with key institutions like ExLink Events to give due acknowledgment to outstanding overseas Filipino Workers and Balikbayans during the OBRA Awards to be held on December 7, 2012 at the Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.

The 4th Outstanding OFW and Balikbayan Reputation Award (OBRA) is a recognition given to OFWs and Balikbayans who are deserving to be models and inspiration of millions of OFWs and Balikbayans in terms of the following areas in life business success, family building, community service, work ethics and personal characters.

In addition, this year OBRA recognizes bloggers who promote and inform the public about the OFW conditions around the world.

Bloggers have played a vital role in information dissemination because of the explosion of social media.

For more details about OBRA call 643.3887 or email info@exlinkevents.com.

The 3^rd Outstanding OFW and Balikbayan Reputation Awards (OBRA) Awardees for 2011 received praises from the attendees last December 14, 2011 at SM Megatrade.

The 2011 awardees are Mr. Ronaldo M. Velasco and Ms. Gundelina L. Sale for Outstanding Community Builder; Mr. Randy Ahorro and Ms. Myrna Y. Padilla for Outstanding Entrepreneur; Mr. Rogelio San Andres and Mr. Prudencio S. Garcia for Outstanding Positive Character/Good Deed; and Mr. Carlito L. Astillero for Outstanding Family Builder.

The event was attended by Under Secretary Mary Grace Tirona of the Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO). She was joined by Mr. Victor Fernandez, President, Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc. (PASEI); Ms. Marissa del Mar, Anchor, Buhay OFW.

“OBRA aims to show to the OFWs and Balikbayans that they can live the right way and  be successful. Most importantly, that there are people like them that has successfully accomplished the feat”, said Mitch Ballesteros, CEO of Exlinkevents.

OBRA is supported by Ritemed, Buhay OFW, Asenso Pinoy, PASEI, OFW Advocates and Businessworld.

OBRA is organized and produced by Exlinkevents as an annual advocacy event for OFWs and Balikbayan. For partnerships and more details call tel.no. 643.3887. 

The Outstanding OFW and Balikbayan Reputation Award (OBRA) for 2012 will be revealed this coming December 9, 2011 at the Megatrade, SM Megamall.

OBRA is now on its 3^rd year and is an awarding platform where OFWs and Balikbayans are awarded and recognized for their important contribution in the society.

Since its inception, there have been 20 awardees already and this year’s eight awardees will be a welcome addition to the growing list of OFW and Balikbayan models that we can emulate because of their good characters and deeds.

OBRA has five categories namely: Outstanding Entrepreneur, Outstanding Community Builder, Outstanding Positive Character/Deed, Outstanding Family Builder, and Outstanding Work Ethic.

OBRA is supported by Ritemed.

For more information about the event call tel.no. 643.3887 or like and follow Facebook/OBRAwards or email events@exlinkevents.com.

The search for the Outstanding OFW and Balikbayan Reputation Award (OBRA) is on. An annual event held in conjunction with the Megabalikbayan and OFW Expo (MBOX), OBRA aims to recognize OFWs and Balikbayans who are worth emulating by our countrymen because of their exemplary actions.

Now on its third year, OBRA has the following categories:

Outstanding Entrepreneur, Outstanding Community Builder, Outstanding Positive Character/Deed, Outstanding Family Builder, and Outstanding Work Ethic.