CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) recognized Mr. Benito Sy Gaisano, Chairman & CEO of Gaisano Grand Group as the Entrepreneur of the Year during the 15th Annual Grand Chamber Awards held at the Pacific Grand Ballroom Waterfront Cebu City Hotel last June 25.
The award was conferred by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Special Guest of Honor, assisted by CCCI President Samuel Chioson, CBM Chairman Felix Taguiam, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, PCCI President Ambassador Francis Chua, PCCI Chairman Emeritus Atty. Miguel Varela, Awards Committee Chairman Jose Ng and Mr. Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala.
Benito Sy Gaisano is the man behind the success of the Gaisano Grand Mall chain in Cebu and other Southern Philippines provinces. He also owns and operates the Grand Regal Hotel chain, warehouse complexes and other property developments in the region. In his acceptance speech, Gaisano emphasized on the full support of his wife Gina and the dedication and hardwork of his five daughters who were actively involved in the business and contributed a lot in the growth of the Gaisano Grand Group.
Delegates from the Chambers of Commerce all over the Visayas, as well as the Philippine Chamber of Commerce, attended the awards night which was in time for the 19th Visayas Area Business Conference Gala Night, hosted by CCCI. Diplomats, local government officials and friends from the media also graced the evening of camaraderie as CCCI continues to foster an atmosphere of excellence and dynamism in the business community. The Gaisano family, their suppliers and the CCCI-South Africa & Macau Business Council were in full force to show support to Benito Gaisano during the affair.
CCCI also recognized businessmen who have made valuable contribution to the business community. The Grand Chamber Award of Distinction 2010 was given to Ayala Corporation represented by its Chairman and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala for its exemplary and conscientious adoption of sustainable development in all its strategies, practices and activities as exemplified by its distinction for being the first ever group of companies to issue a GRI-complaint sustainability report in the Philippines.
CCCI also granted the Emerging Entrepreneur award to Mr. Wesley Chiongbian, President & CEO of Mynimo.com; Mr. Edgar Sia, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Mang Inasal Philippines, Inc. for the Young Entrepreneur; Mr. & Mrs. Peter and Susan Holaysan, Proprietors of Sta. Fe Resort for the Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year; Mr. Rey Calooy, Proprietor & President of RNC Marketing for the Small Business Entrepreneur and Architect Lourdes Martinez Onozawa, CEO of Environment Design, Inc. as the Environmentally Responsible Entrepreneur.
Special Citations were also given to Engr. Rey Mercede, General Manager of Amcha Toledo Multi-Purpose Cooperative and USC Kapamilya Negosyo Na! for being the vehicle of social transformation in promoting entrepreneurship and developing the individual’s self-reliance and business acumen.