Top 23 revealed in MCCI's search for W.I.N.N.E.RS

CEBU, Philippines -  The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs (Women In Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Rolemodels) has chosen the Top 23 micro-entrepreneurs representing the Barangays of the City of Mandaue during the pre-judging of the 72 candidates held at the event partner school St. Theresa’s College Campus last July 23, 2011.

The search is a quest for model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are supporting their families and are struggling to rise from poverty through their business ventures. Their stories of perseverance and creativity will inspire other women to be empowered. The Search for Winners is chaired by MCCI Trustee Ms. Carmel de Pio-Salvador and co-chaired by MCCI Trustee Ms. Marylou Ngo-Ang.

"The 23 micro-entrepreneurs were judged based on the comprehensiveness of the information presented on their business plan which is 30% of the criteria; Q & A responses (conversation skills and self confidence) which is 20%; while 50% goes to their inspirational stories of courage, perseverance and creativity", Salvador said.

The fifteen (15) panel of judges was composed of MCCI Trustees, event sponsors and media partners. The following made the top 23 slot who will get the chance to qualify for the final round to be held at the Cebu International Convention Center on August 24, 2011. They are: Gionivie Pano a fish vendor from Brgy. Upper Casili ; Germocila Divibar Sabello a sidewalk vendor from Cubacub; Baby I Gene Abayon Ortega a fish & frozen delight vendor from Basak; Amor L. Lacaba a street vendor from Looc; Genalyn C. Patalita who is into carenderia business from Guizo; Maridel C. Aloria from Centro who is into buy & sell fish; Norma Dichos of Brgy. Bakilid who is into sari-sari store business; Esther Simbajon of Casuntingan who is into carenderia business; Charito Cabatingan of Cabancalan who has eatery and BBQ haus; Rhea G. Maroliña of Cambaro a fruit and vegetable vendor; Maricel Formentera Ygoña who has a sari-sari store business in Tingub; Leonora C. Canillo a food and fish vendor of Maguikay; Gina Militante a broom maker in Paknaan; Luzviminda Sayson of Subangdaku who is a junk collector; Sevelina Besabella To-ong who has a BBQ eatery/ sari-sari store in Labogon; Editha Bonghanoy a vegetable and plastic vendor in Umapad; Meliza Cortes Posadas of Canduman who sells mangos and RTWs; May T. Poloyapoy a candle vendor in Pagsabungan; Marilyn G. Cuanan who has a carenderia in Brgy. Ibabao; Catherine Borres Calleno a BBQ vendor in Alang-Alang; Sarah Y. Dellosa a fish vendor in Tipolo; Remedios S. Rodriquez a fish vendor in Banilad; and lastly Elvira B. Rosaroso from Brgy. Tawason who has a carenderia and sari-sari store business.

Selected Mass Communication students of St. Theresa’s College were tasked to write the life stories of the Top 23 in tandem with Taga Mandaue Inc. who will do the verification of facts of the stories. Each story will be featured in ABS-CBN’s local entertainment program MagTV and will also be published in the Souvenir Program to be distributed during the final round.

The Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs have lined up of activities before the final round. Last July 16, the USC College of Commerce Alumni Association, Inc. KNN Project through the USC – School of Business and Economics Center for Entrepreneurship & Lifelong Learning conducted a Business Planning Seminar and mentoring to the 79 micro-entrepreneurs representing the 27 Barangays of Mandaue City as part of advocacy of empowering people through education and entrepreneurship. Out of the 79 micro-entrepreneurs, forty (40) of them will represent in ABS-CBN’s local game show “Kapamilya Winner Ka”.

Meanwhile, the Top 23 will have their sponsors' tour on August 02 such as at the International Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Salon de Rose Ayala where they will be treated for a haircut, manicure & pedicure; Red Logo Direct Sales who will provide a personality development seminar then the last stop will be at Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan who will provide for their dresses. The candidates' shoes is courtesy of Lipstick company of Alice Uy. On the same day, the Top 23 will be presented to the press during the press conference which will be held at the Diamond Hotel and Suites, the event venue sponsor.

Other activities include: livelihood training courtesy of Loreal, business plan mentoring by USC-Kapamilya Negosyo Na, seminar on banking by RCBC. During the Coronation Day on August 24 at the Cebu International Convention Center , expect a total make-over of the candidates.

The Cebu Provincial Government and the Mandaue City Government also provided financial assistance to MCCI for the Mandaue Business Month Celebration. Other event sponsors include: Virginia Foods Inc., Diamond Hotel & Suites, Salon de Rose, Red Logo Direct Sales, Gaisano Grand Malls soon to open their Mandaue Branch, Backspace Studio, St. Theresa’s College, USC College of Commerce Alumni Association Inc., Kapamilya Negosyo Na, USC – School of Business and Economics Center for Entrepreneurship & Lifelong Learning, Loreal, Lipstick, RCBC. Media Partners are ABS-CBN, Skycable, Sunstar, The FREEMAN, Cebu Daily News and Cebu Blogger Society. (FREEMAN)