Fastfood chain founder among this year's TOYM awardees

MANILA, Philippines - The 34-year-old billionaire who founded the fastfood chain Mang Inasal is among this year’s Ten Outstanding Young Men awardees. 

Edgar Sia II is the youngest in Forbes Asia’s list of 40 Richest Filipinos this year.

Before starting his own business in the ’90s he learned the ropes of running a business by working in his family’s supermarket in Roxas City, Capiz. 

He popularized the Ilonggo-style grilled chicken to carve a niche in the Philippine fastfood industry. 

Mang Inasal, which became an instant hit, was eventually bought by Jollibee Foods Corp. for P3 billion. 

The other awardees are biotechnologist Maria Antonia Arroyo, Valenzuela City Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Calapan City Mayor Paulino Salvador Leachon, musician Gerard Salonga, physician Raul Destura and business executive Antonio Tiu.  

Only seven awardees were chosen this year.

President Aquino presented the awards in Malacañang yesterday. 

Arroyo, daughter of Sen. Joker Arroyo, was cited for her “spunk and infectious enthusiasm” in her advocacy for biotechnology. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Hybridigm Consulting, the first biotechnology consulting firm in the Philippines. Her company, which is engaged in developing policies for the government, facilitated over $4 million in biotech investments and trained 15,862 aspiring entrepreneurs.

Arroyo obtained her bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of the Philippines. She was part of the pioneering class of Master’s in Bioscience Enterprise, a professional practice program developed by the University of Cambridge. She also received a British Chevening Scholarship.  

Gatchalian, awarded for public service, was cited for his commitment to education and community development.