Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Cebuanos vie for world entrepreneur title
TWO Cebuanos are among those vying to represent the Philippines in the World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards to be held in Monaco in May.
According to Business-World, Jay Aldeguer, president of Islands Souvenirs, and Steve Benitez, president of Coffee Centrale, the Bean Co. Inc., are among 18 finalists in the first-ever Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Philippines competition.
The winner of the EOY Philippines awards, to be named last night at Makati Shangri-La, would represent the country in the world awards.
Aldeguer was cited for making souvenir shirts and promoting these to the world, while Benitez, who operates the Bo’s Coffee Club chain, was recognized for using his coffee experiences from abroad to please hometown customers.
The EOY Philippines is a project of the SGV Foundation, Department of Trade and Industry, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Philippine Stock Exchange and the University of the Philippines College of Business Administration to search for the country’s most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs.
The other finalists included the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Alexandra Prieto-Romualdez, AMA’s Amable Aguiluz V, Summit Media’s Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, Magsaysay Maritime Corp.’s Doris Magsaysay Ho, Yehey! Corp.’s Juan Chua and Figaro’s Pacita Juan.
Some 35 countries participate in the World Entrepreneur of the Year, launched by global services Ernst & Young, the publication said.
As of last year, Islands Souvenirs had five franchisees outside the Philippines. Its domestic network included 27 free-standing stores in major cities, 37 department store outlets and 12 outlets in beach resorts, hotels, airports and ports.
Bo’s Coffee Club has 16 branches nationwide. CTL
(March 24, 2004 issue)
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