Megaworld founder to receive PRA President’s Award

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) will honor Megaworld Corporation founder and chairman, Dr. Andrew Tan with its prestigious PRA President’s Award this year. 

Tan will be officially included in the list of pillars and important contributors to the growth of Philippine retailing on February 25 during the gala night for the 18th Outstanding Filipino Retailers and Shopping Centers of the Year ((OFR - SCY) Awards at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria at Ortigas Center in Pasig City. 

The PRA Board unanimously decided to bestow upon Tan, who chairs the conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc., the title “Pillar of Mixed-Use Developments.” 

Tan expanded the realm of the retail industry with his signature “live-work-play” concept in the development of fully integrated havens like Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City and the McKinley Hill in Taguig. 

“Dr. Tan gave retailers premium sites for expansion with ready markets coming from the residential and office components of his integrated developments.  His invaluable contribution to the Philippine retail industry truly deserves PRA’s highest recognition,” PRA president Lorenzo “Enchong” C. Formoso, COO of Duty Free Philippines emphasized.  

Previous recipients of the President’s Award include Henry Sy (Father of Philippine Retailing), Fernando Zobel de Ayala (Pillar of Philippine Retail Development), Jorge Araneta (Pioneer of Philippine Retail Entertainment), Samie Lim (Pioneering Pillar of Franchising), Socorro Ramos (Matriarch of Philippine Retailing), John Gokongwei Jr. (Champion of Retail Entrepreneurship), Amb. Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. (Father of Luxury Retailing), Mariano Que (Father of Health and Wellness Retailing), and Teresita Sy-Coson (Philippine Retailing’s Woman Visionary Leader.)

Another highlight of the gala night is the conferment of the “Global Retailer of the Year” award to Golden ABC, Inc., owner of apparel brand Penshoppe, besting other homegrown retailers for the honor.  Golden ABC CEO Bernie H. Liu will receive the award.

Golden ABC Inc. was cited for successfully expanding its business internationally and established its brand on a global scale.

Also to be recognized during the PRA event are this year’s winners in the following categories: Full-Line Department Store/Hypermart, Food Retailer, Fashion, Services, Home Improvement Center, Most Promising Retailer, Regional Retailer, Specialty Retailer, Global Retailer of the Year, Shopping Center of the Year and Regional Shopping Center of the Year.

Evelyn Balmeo-Salire, PRA secretary general, said the annual awards serve as PRA’s way of inspiring industry players to recalibrate their operations to be globally competitive.

“Retailers have become more aware of the stringent criteria for evaluating and judging the candidates and they know that when a company is awarded, they are truly world-class. This is why in the many years that we have been presenting the awards, the number of nominees, including self-nominations, has consistently increased,” Salire stressed.

For inquiries, call the PRA secretariat at 6874180, 6874181, 6874985, or email [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], or visit its website at www.philretailers.com.