21 STARpreneurs honored at summit

MANILA, Philippines –  The Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE) awarded 21 “STARpreneurs” that included Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto and cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo for their contribution to entrepreneurship in the country.

The successful women entrepreneurs were recognized during the 3rd Go Negosyo Women’s Entrepreneur Summit Friday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City spearheaded by the PCE, in partnership with The STAR and GMA Network.

Joey Concepcion, founding trustee of Go Negosyo, said the summit “aims to honor roles of several inspiring women entrepreneurs and enablers who have made a difference in their fields and have become role models as women with positive enterprising mindset, passion and innovative skills.”

The three-day event which ends today coincided with the celebration of Women’s Month. Concepcion, GMA-7 chief executive and chairman Felipe Gozon, The STAR executive vice president Grace Glory Go, and Trade Undersecretary Merly Cruz presented plaques to the awardees.

Recognized as the 2011 Go Negosyo Filipina STARpreneurs in the large enterprise category were Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, founder and president of the Southville International School and Colleges; Zenaida Tantoco, president of Rustan’s Commercial Corp.; Nelia Siggaoat, president of Manels Leathergoods Corp.; Elizabeth Lee, chief operating officer of Universal Motors;

Myrna Yao, founder and COO of Richwell Trading; Natividad Cheng, chief executive officer of Uratex Group of Companies; Rosalinda Hortaleza, chairman and CEO of HBC Inc. and Belo, medical director of Belo Medical Group.

For the small and medium enterprise (SME) category, the awardees were Merle Alferez, founder of MSA Academic Advancement Institute; Sara Black, owner of Sara Black Photography; Lydia de Roca, owner of Lydia’s Lechon; Mary Grace Dimacali, president Mary Grace Foods Inc.; Emma Guerrero, president Bioessence; Grace Gupana, CEO Abs Bitter Herbs; Marlyn Montano, owner of Holy Cow Animations; and Teresita Ngan Tian, founder and president of Lot’s A Pizza.

Recipients of the award under the social enterprise/entrepreneurship enabler category include Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto; Ruth Callanta, president of Center for Community Transformation; Pacita Juan, founder of Echostore; and Alegria Limjoco, CEO of Francorp.

Go Negosyo is an advocacy campaign of the PCE that aims to instill a mindset of optimism and a culture of entrepreneurship among Filipinos.