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Reflection paper for Social Entrepreneurship articles and the life and works Muhammad Yunus
By: Micah Garcia Alvarado

Social entrepreneurship is attracting growing amounts of talent, money, and attention. But along with its increasing popularity has come less certainty about what exactly a social entrepreneur is and does. I’ve come across this term rarely and entrepreneurs globally had given vague definitions regarding to what it really entails.

The Philippines has rampant and numerous maturing entrepreneurs that have been helping the economy rise from its stagnant state since the end of martial law. We have to recognize that it is never too early to dream big and take action. Once a great innovative idea has been brought up, it should be nourished. Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines is institutions that consoles young entrepreneurs in their business venture. An example of this is the Philippine Youth Business Foundation (PYBF) which caters which caters capital loan providing a start up funds from P15, 000 to P200, 000 to deserving would-be entrepreneurs between the ages 18 and 30 who have clear business ideas. Junior Association of the Philippines Institute (JAPI) is also a non profit firm that was established by multibillion corporations such as Petron and Smart which brought student entrepreneurs nationwide including Miriam College has sought out to train business leaders and movers in the society. This particular program entails 12 to 30 students with a professional mentor which they will be producing a unique or premium service/ product that shall be distributed to the market.

I am proud to say that Filipinos are challenged to survive in an economy with uprising unemployment and inflation but we could cope up with these circumstances as we’ve always been an independent nation.

Muhammad Yunus is a philosophical and ethical person. I believe that the only difference he has with other entrepreneurs is his dreams for the world as a whole and not solely for one’s gain. Although monetary terms is important in the life cycle of a product/service, He believes that it is the absolute end of a person is the ultimate goal in life thus this objective lead people to recognize His purest intentions and so his firm grew. Profit was not his ultimate purpose but to be of service. I can see the millions of people affected by the Grameen Bank for entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.

I was very fond of the article: Rags in Fashion, which was for the purpose of helping “payatas” woman gain profit from what disposable income they have left from making rags. In collaboration with Ralph Laurel, a top Asian fashion designer has prompted buyers from higher class societies. The event explicated the needs to be socially aware that there are people suffering around us and it would be a shame as to do nothing while we have the resources and influence. I want to encourage these types of activities that will help people who are financially challenged that they may be given opportunities because that alone is enough. We are able to interact with our people. Not only does this generate profit but it has an absolute end of helping others in need.