291 October 13, 2025
I started my journey as an entrepreneur when I established my micro enterprise called Laraβs Gifts & Decors , named after my wife Lara , that started with β±15,000 capital, just my wife and 3 employees in a 50 sqm office.
Today, that same dream grew into β± billions in annual revenues, a 50,000 sqm factory, and offices in Hong Kong
and the USA
β creating over 7,000 jobs for Filipinos, many of them Bicolanos. 
When I became Governor of CamSur in 2004, halos walang turista.
But by 2010β2012, we became the No. 1 Tourist Destination in the Philippines β thanks to the CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) and Gota Beach developments we built from the ground up. 
From being the 39th poorest province, we rose to become the 3rd richest and Top 2 in revenue growth in the entire country now
.
At the 11th Regional Youth Entrepreneurship Congress, I shared one clear message:
The next billion-peso idea could start right here β with YOU.
And now, more than ever, Iβm telling our youth β learn AI.
AI isnβt just the future β itβs your advantage today.
Artists can design faster.
Developers can build apps in days.
Architects can create smarter cities.
Creators can produce cinematic videos.
Entrepreneurs can automate and scale globally.
If global innovators like Sam Altman (OpenAI), Alexandr Wang (Scale AI), and self-taught AI creators can build billion-dollar companies from their laptops β kaya mo rin mula sa CamSur
!
The world is changing fast. Learn AI. Use AI. Lead with AI. 
Letβs make CamSur the light that will spark the whole nation. 

#NextGenCamSur #AIReadyCamSur #RYEC2025 #GovLRay #DreamBigStartSmallNeverStop #YouthPower #EntrepreneurMindset #CamSurVibe #AIForAll #InspiringCamSur #camsurGovLray #praiseGOD #ToGodBeTheGlory