CEBU, Philippines — SGV Foundation is looking at rising Cebuano entrepreneurs to become nominees in this year's search for the Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur of the Year.
In an interview on Wednesday afternoon at the launch of the search in Cebu City, Marlu Balmaceda, senior director for communications at SGV, has invited Cebuano nominees for the 2019 search.
Cebu has been a hotbed for entrepreneurship, being home to some of the country's successful business tycoons such as John Gokongwei and the Aboitiz Group, among others.
Balmaceda noted Cebu has been a good source of nominations since the Philippines' search started back in 2003.
Since then, several Cebuano entrepreneurs had already won in various categories, such as Cebu Landmasters CEO Jose Soberano III being the 2017 Industry Entrepreneur; Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue as Innovation Entrepreneur 2009; and Profood International president Justin Uy as Manufacturing Entrepreneur 2009.
Also among the Cebuanos who already won include Cafe Laguna owner Julita Urbina as Small Business Entrepreneur 2006; Islands Souvenirs president Jay Aldeguer as Small Business Entrepreneur 2005; and Erramon Aboitiz as Entrepreneur of the Year 2011.
"We hope a lot," Balmaceda said when asked on the expectations for Cebuano nominees.
She particularly cited the potential of the new generation Cebuano entrepreneurs who are taking over family-run businesses, as well as businesses emerging on the digital space.
She explained that over the years, entrepreneurship has become an alternative career especially for the young people.
"It's no longer just a 'mom and pop' business. It has become a serious and legitimate career," she said.
Aside from Cebu, nominations may also come from the different provinces in Visayas.
Nominations for the 2019 EOY, which can be done online through the SGV website, are now open until May 31, 2019.
The EOY Philippines program honors entrepreneurial leaders who transform businesses, products and services with foresight, courage and compassion.
The award categories include Master Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Woman Entrepreneur and Young Entrepreneur.
From among these category winners will emerge the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2019 who will represent the country in the 2020 World Entrepreneur of the Year in June next year.
The Philippines EOY 2019 awarding event will be in October this year in Manila.
The EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards program was created in the United States by Ernst & Young in 1986 to honor entrepreneurs whose ingenuity and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing ventures. The EOY is celebrated in 145 cities across 60 countries.