Grand Chamber Awards

Cebu's pioneer investors and entrepreneurs in the trade and tourism industry, fashion and technology were honored by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry during the Grand Chamber Awards night held recently at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. The event capped the celebration of the annual Cebu Business Month.

The following Cebuanos and institutions were named 2005 Chamber Awardees after careful study by a panel of reviewers:

Tourism Entrepreneur Of The Year was conferred on Austrian Consul General Arcadio Alegrado, for his entrepreneurial skills in developing the Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort from a modest beach house to a premier Class AAA resort, consistently maintaining the standard of excellence. His extensive support of tourism related programs contributes substantially in accelerating tourism arrivals in Cebu, thus making a mark in the global market.

Success Story In Entrepreneurship was given to Steve Benitez for his passion and entrepreneurial energy, as well as youthful dynamism, which gave birth to BO's Coffee Club, a chain of specialty coffee shops with 22 outlets all over the country.

Lifetime Achievement Award was for Anos Fonacier, as the exponent of the travel and tourism industry, specifically in Cebu, having pioneered the establishment of the Cebu Plaza Hotel, the first premier hotel in Cebu and the chain of resort hotels: the Tambuli East and West Beach Club, Cebu Beach Club, as well as the Argao and Bohol Beach Clubs - setting the trend in world-class hotel, resort and restaurant industry.

Special Distinction Awards went to Monique Lhuillier, for her impeccable talent in fashion craft and entrepreneurship which placed Cebu in the prestigious international couture scene; The Aboitiz Group of Companies - the Cebu-based conglomerate in the country today that continues to lead in quality and excellence in all its businesses that include various industries such as power generation and distribution, banking, transportation and logistics, food production, construction and shipbuilding; Ayala Group of Companies for believing in the potentials of Cebu as a business destination and in the Cebuano's entrepreneurial spirit. Ayala is helping the island meet the challenges of the global economy.

Special citations were conferred on three establishments, namely: The Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau, for its worthy concept of branding Cebu as a Convention and Events Destination; Big Foot Global Solutions, Inc. for its long-term investment in Cebu to promote IT-related projects; and the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, for having built and maintain world class facilities and resources with concern for ecology and the protection of the environment.

The highlight of the evening was the well-applauded dance interlude led by Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Robert Go and his supportive wife Judith. We could not help but notice Grand Chamber awards chair Tess Chan, Cebu Business Month chairman Francis Monera and consultant and over-all director Mila Espina beaming with pride for the affair was truly a resounding success in every possible way.