THREE Dabawenya entrepreneurs were among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Outstanding Women Entrepreneur awardees during the Asean 2017 Business Conference held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Last August 31, Dabawenya entrepreneurs Mary Ann Montemayor of Villa Margarita Hotel, Joji Ilagan Bian of the Joji Ilagan International Schools, and Charita Puentespina of the Malagos Chocolate were awarded as among the Asean Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs.
The conference is simultaneous with the Great Women Asean Trade Fair which ran from August 28 to 31, 2017. The awarding was organized by the Asean Women’s Enterprise Network and the Women’s Business Council.
“They awarded 10 women leaders per country to represent the 10 member countries of Asean. Total of 10 awardees from the Philippines and three are from Davao. That’s a feat for us. I am just truly grateful to have this opportunity to represent Davao and Mindanao,” said Montemayor.
“The award is a seal of approval that Mindanao truly has its rightful share in the Asean pie,” she added.
Aside from her hotel business, Montemayor is also known for her KAAYO Modern Mindanao, a social enterprise which showcases the unique Mindanao-designed fabrics and garments.
As for Bian, she believes that the award given to the three of them is an indication that Davao City is a home to many successful women entrepreneurs, and that they are also an integral backbone of the city’s economic growth and prosperity.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized in the Asean level as an outstanding woman entrepreneur and be recognized for the business that I started and the vast experiences and challenges I had gone through. I am humbled to know that my entrepreneurial journey continues to inspire many women who want to succeed in business. The recognition will provide me greater avenues of networking and of reaching out to more women in the Asean,” Bian said.
Being in the academic industry, she said the award is also significant for her schools as it will serve as an access to opportunities for younger people that may result to integration of the different economies.
Puentespina, during the awarding was represented by her daughter-in-law.
Puentespina’s Malagos Chocolate had been recognized worldwide and had been a recipient of prestigious awards in Europe. Since then, their chocolates had gained a certain reputation putting Davao City and the cacao farmers yet again in the limelight.