Cokaliong named Entrepreneur of the Year

CEBU, Philippines - His success story is worth emulating this is why Southern Philippines’ shipping magnate Chester Cue Cokaliong was able to take the spotlight in this year’s Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (CCCI) “16th Grand Chamber Awards” as the “Entrepreneur of the Year.”

Having been able to weather the storms of the challenging shipping industry in the Philippines, Chester is one of the bravest shipping players in the country today who stood his ground well, in fact his vision includes pushing not only his company further, but also strengthening the fragile shipping sector.

“This award is not for me—this is for the entire shipping industry that has been able to withstand the great and never ending challenges. The shipping industry is always not being recognized. I am happy that the entire business sector has seen the hard work of the industry players keeping the shipping transportation alive despite various hurdles being faced by the players,” said Cokaliong on the sidelines during the Chamber Awards held Thursday night at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Cokaliong further added that the shipping industry is the backbone of the economy of the entire country as shipping is still the easiest and cheapest mode of transportation.

He cited that the shipping industry plays a crucial role in the transportation of basic commodities as a major bulk in the country’s trade is done via sea travel.

“We can just imagine what will happen to cities and municipalities that don’t have a certain port of call. What will happen to these areas? It will definitely affect the transportation of goods considering that not all areas in the country have airline services,” Cokaliong said.

With this, Cebu has again produce another role model in the field of entrepreneurship—as his business culture shines through in valuing hard work, deep sense of passion, and daily commitment to business.

At an early age of 28, Chester decided to purchase a shipping vessel from a borrowed capital from his sister company in order to diversify and set his sail in an unfamiliar but challenging territory, shipping.

He saw the potential of the shipping business considering that the country is an archipelago of 7,107 islands.

After getting the blessing from his very supportive mother, Mrs. Gregoria Cokaliong, he pursued his dream, armed only with a passion to learn the ropes and the determination to excel in the shipping business, he established Cokaliong Shipping Lines, Inc (then known as Edgar Cokaliong Shipping Lines) in December 1989.

Today Chester has emerged as this generation’s “Shipping-Lord,” as he successfully built his shipping business some 22 years ago, bravely entering the challenging world of shipping, which was then, dominated by the veteran players operating inter-island shipping operations in Visayas and Mindanao and in Luzon, using Cebu as a hub.   

For the past twenty-two years the shipping company enjoyed continued growth in providing public sea transportation in various destinations in Visayas and Mindanao since December 1989.

Presently, it has a fleet of nine (9) vessels, and is serving fourteen (14) ports of call. All his vessels are accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and were awarded as the “Cleanest Ship” in their respective categories by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Bureau of Quarantine.

Cokaliong Shipping Lines Inc. (CSLI) has now become a strong and formidable force in the shipping industry and is now a billion-peso business enterprise.

With strong mandate from ship owners, he served twice as President of the Visayan Association of Ferryboat and Coastwise Service Operators (VAFCSO), a potent organization of shipping operators who make their concerns addressed by the Government in its policy making.

He is a recipient of several awards in recognition of his outstanding performance in his shipping business. He was awarded by his college and high school alma maters as Most Outstanding Alumnus in the Field of Shipping Industry on 28 August 2004 by the Carolinians, Inc., the alumni association of the University of San Carlos, and on 07 November 2010, by the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Association.

On February 5, 2008, Chester became the lone Cebuano finalist in the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2007.

Under his stewardship, his Company is a recipient of various accolades from both the government and non-government sectors. Among them is that on 02 December 2009 MARINA awarded his Company as the “2008 Coastwise Domestic Shipping Company of the Year”.

To give back to the community, Chester focuses on education by sponsoring scholars through the Edgar Cokaliong Foundation which he founded in 2004.

The company envisions itself to be the country’s ideal shipping operator in the domestic shipping industry

“Self-discipline, passion for work, commitment and word of honor are the keys to achieve your goals,” Cokaliong gives his advice to next generation’s entrepreneurs.

Truly, a perfect role model of an entrepreneur, who despite the difficulties faced by the industry he is in, he excels in bringing up his company and the industry above water. He simply becomes a pride to every Cebuano.

Other awardees during the 16th Grand Chamber Awards include; Diane Rose U. Ang of fashion retail boutique “What A Girl Wants,” as Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Three-Sixty Pharmacy chain’s Antonio S. Yap who bagged the “Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year” award; Ramon L. Chiu of Coastal Highpoint Ventures Inc. as Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Countryside Entrepreneur Award was given to Rolito D. Villo of Lolo Tinong’s Bakery, while the Small Business Entrepreneur of Year category was awarded to Mary C. Sy of Cebu La Fortuna Bakery Inc.

Grand Chamber Beyond Boundaries award for Foreign Service was given to Philippine Ambassador to China Francisco L. Benedicto, while Rodrigo E. Rivera, Sr. of RD Fishing Group was awarded the Grand Chamber Beyond Boundaries Award for International Industry.

The Grand Chamber Award of Distinction was given to the country’s tycoon Henry S. Sy Sr., for SM Group of Companies. (FREEMAN)