Cebu’s finest Honored: ProgreCebu Awards marks 2nd year

CEBU, Philippines — As The Freeman marks its 106th year as Cebu’s oldest-running newspaper, it has partnered once again with the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to institutionalize a recognition platform that honors the individuals, institutions, and destinations helping shape Cebu into a dynamic economic and cultural powerhouse in the Philippines.

Now on its second year, the ProgreCebu Awards—a joint initiative by The Freeman and MCCI—has emerged as a prestigious platform to celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership across key sectors.

The awards night, held at the NuStar Resort and Casino, brought together Cebu’s top business leaders, public officials, and community builders to pay tribute to transformative contributions to Cebu’s development trajectory.

Among this year’s awardees was Atty. Augusto “Gus” Go, founder and chairman of the AWG Group of Companies, who was named Most Distinguished Individual for his decades-long influence in education and entrepreneurship.

Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen received the Most Distinguished Destination award for its role in rebranding northern Cebu as an eco-tourism hub, attracting thousands of domestic and foreign tourists each year.

The Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) was lauded as Most Distinguished Institution for its infrastructure upgrades and consistent performance in regional aviation, further anchoring Cebu as a central gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Meanwhile, the Visayan Electric Company, Inc., one of the country’s oldest energy providers, received the ProgreCebu Excellence Award, recognizing its continued investments in reliable power systems that support Cebu’s expanding urban landscape.

PhilStar Media Group president and CEO Miguel G. Belmonte highlighted how Cebu’s narrative of progress reflects not only physical and economic transformation but also the deepening of civic pride and cultural resilience.

“Cebu is no longer just a leisure destination—it is an investment magnet, an innovation hub, and a model of provincial urbanization,” said Belmonte during his keynote remarks.

“This partnership with MCCI goes beyond recognition—it is a commitment to support and amplify the voices building Cebu’s future,” Belmonte added.

For MCCI President Mark Ynoc, the initiative represents a collective vision that aligns both public and private stakeholders toward nation-building.

“The name ‘ProgreCebu’ captures the essence of this endeavor. It’s a tribute not only to achievement but to the spirit of community, excellence, and sustainability,” Ynoc noted. “From conceptualization to execution, our priority was credibility and inclusivity. We aim to make this celebration a permanent fixture in Cebu’s development calendar.”

The Freeman’s Vice Chairman Johnvic Gullas reiterated that the awards are not merely symbolic. “This is a call to action—for leaders, entrepreneurs, and every Cebuano—to contribute to building an innovative, future-ready Cebu anchored on community values.”

Since joining the PhilStar Media Group in 2004, The Freeman has not only chronicled Cebu’s milestones but has also taken an active role in civic leadership.

The ProgreCebu Awards, its flagship initiative with MCCI, reflects a pivot from traditional journalism to nation-building through strategic partnerships.

As Cebu positions itself at the forefront of regional development in the Philippines, the convergence of media, business, and local governance—as embodied in the ProgreCebu platform—offers a replicable model of how legacy institutions can drive localized economic momentum with global impact.