Cebu Chamber of Commerce fetes oustanding Cebuanos

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which was founded in 1903, continues to recognize and honor outstanding entrepreneurs and creative industries that have become role models by awarding them the Grand Chamber Awards.

This year, the awarding ceremony was held at the Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel.

 Special citations were given to 16 academic institutions that have made Cebu the center of education in southern Philippines. Among the awardees were Cebu Doctors University, a premier health science university that provides modern and state of the art facilities and equipment. The Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion,  the first catholic school that compassionately served Cebu for 133 years, has been producing well rounded professionals empowered by Christian formation,  academic excellence, and professional competence. 

 The University of San Carlos is the oldest in the country and  regarded as one of the leading tertiary institutions. It was commissioned to develop relevant, timely and transformative academic programs that embody the principles of St. Arnold Janssen. Another awardee is  The University of Cebu, which has evolved into a world-class university in Asia Pacific, holds true to its philanthropic mantra, “No Tuition Fee Increase.”

 The University of the Visayas founded by the late Vicente Gullas, is managed by Filipino educators and is committed to the ideal of service, humanities and leadership. Through the years it has produced distinguished graduates who have become prominent figures in government service and public administration.

 The IPI Foundation Inc. was the recipient of the Institution of the Year award. One of its successful programs is the “Trash to Crafts” livelihood project that addresses the solid waste problem of the community. It supports partner agencies in various livelihood programs that help less privileged members of the community to make them responsible and productive individuals.  

 Chilo James Delator, managing proprietor of Chilen Chicharon is this year’s Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year awardee. Chilen improved the production process, developed several chicharon variants such as beef and chicken and introduced the first less-fat, less cholesterol  chicharon in the market .

 Sergio Antonio Paras Jr. is Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year. He manages the Shamrock Bakery which  is best known for OTAP, a crisp, flaky and saccharine-coated biscuit ideal for pasalubong.

Vito Anglo Selma, design director of Stonesets International is the recipient of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. He represents the new breed of furniture designers and holds 14 industrial design patents.

 The highlight of the evening was the Entrepreneur of the Year award bestowed on Enrique Benedicto, chairman of Mabuhay Filcement Inc.  He established the company in 2003 and is committed to deliver excellent cement products and related services. He is a recipient of several awards among them, Garbo sa Sugbu and Great Cebuano Award conferred by the province of Cebu and Most Outstanding Cebuano by the Cebu City Council.  

 The well-attended event was hosted by Rico Hizon, a business news anchor with BBC World News. Singer Jennelyn Mercado and Cebu’s very own Anna Fegi, provided the entertainment.