Entrepreneur-speaker Joana Marie Lazaro dreams of becoming Oprah of the Philippines


At a glance

  • (When I was young and growing up in the slums, the only source I have at that time is television, but at that time, I already have a vision of who I wanted to be when I grew up, and one of the dreams that one day, I'm going to see myself in television doing talks.)


Joana Marie (Facebook) .png
Joana Marie Lazaro (Facebook)

Joining the second season of the show "Circle of Influencers" with a new segment, "A Journey with Joana Marie," CEO and host of the show, Joana Marie Lazaro, couldn't help to hide her excitement about taking a new adventure in her career.

During her intimate media conference at the Fin & Claw Restaurant last June 29, Joana shared it has always been her dream to become a host since she was young.

"Bata pa lang po and growing up in the slums, and meron lang po akong source that time is Television, but at that time I already have a vision of who I want to be when I grew up, and Isa po talaga sa pinangarap na one day I'm going to see myself in television doing talks," Joana said.

(When I was young and growing up in the slums, the only source I have at that time is television, but at that time, I already have a vision of who I wanted to be when I grew up, and one of the dreams that one day, I'm going to see myself in television doing talks.)

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From left: Director Jag Cruz and Joana Marie Lazaro during the media conference at the Fin & Claw Restaurant in Quezon City (Facebook)

For each episode, her guests will be industry leaders sharing their "passion and fashion" to benefit their chosen charities and foundations.

Making her debut as TV host, Joana mentioned that one of her biggest inspirations is Oprah.

"The person that I really look up to when it comes to hosting is Oprah, and the truth is when I manifested this to happen for the longest time, sinabi ko talaga I'm going to be the Oprah of the Philippines. I know that is a big goal, and I know din na marami pa akong kailangan gawin, and ayusin sa sarili ko," she said.

(The person that I really look up to when it comes to hosting is Oprah, and the truth is when I manifested this to happen for the longest time, I really said I'm going to be the Oprah of the Philippines. I know that is a big goal, and I also know that I still have a lot to do, and fix myself)

Joana Marie is a speaker, fashion designer, and a serial entrepreneur with businesses related to events organizing, fashion and clothing, and health and wellness.

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Joana Marie is the CEO and co-owner of Laurus Enterprises, an events company in the Philippines organizing internationally-recognized seminars and trainings related to personal growth and professional development like the Millionaire Mind Intensive, National Achievers Congress, TakeOff Summit, and Cashflow 101 Workshop.

Her “life hack” is simple: Be intentional with everything she does and show up with her best self – physically, emotionally, and mentally. This hack allowed her to land a great corporate job before building her own businesses.

For her, doing business is not just about making money: it’s providing value to people through her products or services and the relationships she builds with everyone she interacts with.

Mabuhay Philippines Digital Network for Light TV produced her show as a block time program. The show is conceptualized and directed by Jag Cruz, who also dabbles as a filmmaker and content creator.

The pilot episode of “A Journey With Joana Marie” will be aired on Saturday, July 8, 1:30 PM over Light TV network (sister station of A2Z).