SGV Foundation announced yesterday its annual search for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines.
The program recognizes achievements of Filipino entrepreneurs who develop businesses that influence the way people live, help out local communities and support the economy.
Every year, SGV conducts the search to encourage more entrepreneurs to help bring progress to the country.
SGV foundation is attached to Ernst & Young’s local accounting affiliate, SyCip Gorres Velayo (SGV) & Co, which launched EOY in 1986.
This year, the award will have five categories: master entrepreneur, small business entrepreneur, industry-specific entrepreneur (agri-business), woman entrepreneur and social entrepreneur.
“Though there is no cash prize for these awards, winners will get to share their stories to other struggling entrepreneurs,” said Maria Madeira Vestil, partner of SGV Cebu during the launch at Interior Crafts of the Islands, which is owned by Kenneth Cobonpue, one of the winners of EOY last year.
Past Visayan finalists and winners include Steve Benitez of Bo’s Coffee, Wilson Ng of NgKhai, Jay Aldeguer of Islands Group, Vice Gov. Greg Sanchez of Lacto Pafi, Julita Urbina of Café Laguna and others.
In a video presentation of past finalists and winners, Glenn Soco of Coffee Dream said, “We are the most creative and ingenious people in the world and we can become the best entrepreneurs in the world.”
One of the winners of this year’s search will represent the Philippines in the World Entrepreneur of the Year (WEOY) to be held in Monte Carlo, Monaco on May 2011.
Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting, chairman and president of Planters Development Bank, won EOY Philippines 2009 and will be flying to Monte Carlo on June 1 to face other EOY awardees in different countries.
The last time the country got global recognition for WEOY was in 2004 when Tony Tan Caktiong, president and chief executive of Jollibee Foods Corp., won the award.
The SGV Foundation will be accepting nominees until June 15 and they will announce the finalists in September. Awarding of EOY is slated in October.