A night of awards

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce envisions itself as “the engine of Cebu’s business growth towards global competitiveness.” With more than 800 member-companies from different sectors, it sets activities and events that highlight the importance of innovation in all aspects of business.

One of its annual flagship projects is the Cebu Business Month (CBM), where leading stakeholders come together to discuss new ideas to help the business community in Cebu and it neighboring islands achieve and sustain growth and development. At the helm of these activities and events are the driven CCCI president Antonio Chiu and dedicated CBM chairman Benny Que.

The CBM culminated with an outstanding Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night held at   the Oakridge Pavillion.

Mario King (fourth from left) and his son Joseph (third from left) receive the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from Prudencio Gesta, Tess Chan, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, president Antonio Chiu, Melanie Ng, Lito Maderazo

Six individuals, being catalysts of change and role models in business, were recognized for their remarkable contributions  to Cebu’s vibrant economy. This year’s  recipient of the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year was Mario King, president and chief executive officer of Nito’s International Ventures. Fe Barino, vice chair of the Duros Group of Companies, was Most Inspiring Woman Entrepreneur while Alfred Dy Relucio, chief executive officer of Cebu Iron Foundry Corp., was Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year; Completing the list of awardees were  Chester Lim, vice president for administration of Belmont Hardware Depot, as Innovative Entrepreneur; Paulette Liu, chief operating officer of Primary Structures Educational Foundation Inc., as Socially Responsible Entrepreneur, and Ma. Elena Limocon, general manager of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative, as Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year. CCCI also honored Go Negosyo, represented by Jay Yuvallos, with the Business Enabler citation.

During the Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night, guests were entertained by the world-class performance of shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra, the grand champion of the first season of TV show Asia’s Got Talent. 

Grand Chamber awardees Chester Lim, Paulette Liu, Elena Limocon, Mario King, Fe Barino, Alfred Dy, Jay Yuvallos