Cebu’s business leaders honored in grand event

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the super active organization that never runs out of projects for the betterment of the community, once again recognized and honored deserving individuals and innovative establishments that have significantly contributed to the development and growth of the regional economy.

Held at the Pacific Ballroom of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel, the Grand Chamber Awards capped the successful month-long celebration of the Cebu Business Month.

Recipients of the 2006 Chamber awards, after discussions and deliberations by a panel of reviewers composed of past presidents among them Hernan Streegan, Geronimo Sta. Ana, and Anastacio Muntuerto, include the following:

•Frederick Ong of Ong King King and Co. was named Entrepreneur of the Year for establishing what is today a multi-million conglomerate that started from a retail store selling agricultural products and baking supplies. After 45 years, the business has diversified and expanded, and now includes shipping, chemical trading, paper making, and real estate, among many others.

•Derek Dytian, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, is this year’s Young Entrepreneur awardee. At 33, in addition to personally managing and overseeing the family-owned Creative Cuisine, which is without a doubt the island’s foremost in catering services, he has successfully established two restaurants, Big Mao that specializes in Chinese cuisine and Chikaan, which is home to excellent Filipino cooking.

The Chamber’s Emerging Entrepreneur Award went to Johnie Lim of Body and Sole Spa. With over 30 branches in the Visayas and Mindanao, Lim is a firm believer that health is wealth, offering wellness and total relaxation at truly affordable prices.

Eighty-seven-year-old Victoria Congmon is the recipient of the much-coveted Small Business Entrepreneur Award. Driven by the need to support her eight growing siblings, she started a small family business 35 years ago, cooking chicken simply called Sunburst. Today, Sunburst Restaurant has 10 franchised outlets nationwide.

Lacto Bacillus, PAFI Techno Resources, a company that promotes the utilization of probiotic products and likewise provides extensive support mechanism that serves as its outreach program, was this year’s Socially Responsible Corporation.

Special citations were given to the following: The Academy for Creating Enterprise, for developing and training micro-entrepreneurs from among poor but deserving Filipinos; the Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort, for being the pioneer internationally renowned resort in Cebu and for its excellent service and facilities; the Sykes Asia for being the pioneer call center locator in Cebu providing global customer support solutions as well as the best technical product support experts for many of the world’s leading brand names; NEC Telecom Software Philippines for being the pioneer offshore software developer in Cebu serving people through technological innovation; and Dash Engineering Philippines Inc. for its continued commitment to create and provide high quality engineering product designs that bring out and showcase the best local talents.

The highlight of the evening was the traditional waltz performed by the club’s active members led by its president Francis Monera, CBM chair Wilson Ng, Awards chair Tess Chan, ably assisted by Melanie Ng and the participation of special guests.