by Lorie Ann A. Cascaro
One of the most prestigious events of the country’s business community, the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2011, is accepting nominations until May 31. This was announced during last week’s (Wednesday) Club 888 Forum at The Marco Polo Davao by SGV & Co. Davao partner, in-charge, Alvin Pinpin.
Pinpin gave a brief overview of the global program, even as he hoped that more businessmen from Mindanao would join the search this year. He named two of the Mindanao finalists in 2010–Remegio Salanatin of the RG Salanatin Construction, and Ireneo Dalayon, chief executive officer of the Federation of ARB/Banana-Based Cooperatives of Davao (FEDCO).
Established in 1986 in the United States by Ernst & Young, a professional services firm, the program was introduced in the Philippines only in 2003. The first awardee was Tony Tan Caktiong, president and CEO of Jollibee Foods Corporation, who also won the 2004 World Entrepreneur of the Year in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Last year’s winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines was Tennyson Chen, president of Bounty Fresh Foods, Inc. Other awardees were Socorro Cancio-Ramos, founder and general manager of National Book Store (2004); Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of Cebu Air, Inc. (2005); Senen Bacani, chairman and president of La Frutera, Inc. (2006); Wilfred Steven Uytengsu, Jr., president and CEO of Alaska Milk Corporation (2007); and Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and president of Planters Development Bank (2009).
Having for its theme “Shine” for the 2011 program, the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2011 “salutes the courage, spirit and determination of our Filipino entrepreneurs, and the indispensable contribution that they make to our people and our economy.”
The theme recognizes that to be an entrepreneur is to be “a beacon, a shining ray of hope and inspiration; to have dreams that burn bright with passion; and to blaze the trail, that others may follow in their footsteps.”
With SAP Philippines as major sponsor, the program is co-represented by the SGV Foundation, De La Salle University, Development Bank of the Philippines, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, the Philippine Stock Exchange, and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
Beyond recognition
Aside from recognition, Pinpin said, the award provides a venue for entrepreneurs to promote public relations and marketing; enhanced rating from suppliers and customers; and, boosting the morale of employees.
He said the main factors to be considered in the criteria for judging are the extent of the impact of the business on a community, innovations generated and as business model of the entrepreneur. “The judges have to hear the story of every entrepreneur, not just the financial side,” he added.
Open to all Filipino entrepreneurs, the program accepts a Filipino business owner or founder who is primarily responsible for the growth of his or her company. The nominee must still be active in business, which must have been in operation for at least the pasr two years. A completed nomination form, audited financial statements for the last three years, and other documents are required for a nomination to be considered for further judging.
This year, the program will present five awards: Master Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Wo-man Entrepreneur, Tourism Entrepreneur and Social Entrepreneur. From among the finalists will be selected the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2011, who will represent the country in the 2012 World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards to be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco in June 2012.
Nominations will end on May 31 while the announcement of finalists will be in September, and October 12 has been set aside for the awards night. For nomination forms and other information, one may call the secretariat at 891-0307 local 7766 or e-mail at eoy.info@ph.ey.com.
The awardees last year were Tennyson G. Chen for Master Entrepreneur; Antonio P. Meloto — Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation for Social Entrepreneur; Edgar J. Sia II — Mang Inasal Philippines Inc. for Small Business Entrepreneur; Lyndon C. Tan — Basic Necessity Inc. for Agribusiness Entrepreneur; and Esther A. Vibal — Vibal Publishing House Inc. for Woman Entrepreneur.
