Benedicto Bags CCCI’s Entrepreneur Award 2013

“My family is my inspiration and driving force of my life.” This is  what Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Entrepreneur of the Year Awardee Consul Enrique Benedicto said in his acceptance speech in  the Grand Chamber Awards & Fellowship Night. “There is no formula for  business success but vision, passion, determination, hardwork, focus  and courage, even odds are against you,” he added.

Enrique, as he is fondly called by his colleagues, is the chairman of  the Mabuhay Filcement, Inc., a byproduct of the entrepreneur’s firm  belief on Cebuano entrepreneurial and pioneering spirit. It is built  with 100 percent Filipino ingenuity and engineering capabilities.

Aside from being an entrepreneur, Benedicto is also Honorary Consul of  Belgium in Cebu, a post he has held for 26 years already. He has  received numerous awards from the Belgian government such as ‘Officer  in the Order of Leopold II’ by his Majesty Baudowin King of the  Belgians; ‘Officer in the Order of Leopol’ by his Majesty King Albert  II of the Kingdom of Belgium. The latter is the highest award given to civilians, Belgian or non-Belgian.

Benedicto was also awarded with several local awards namely the ‘Garbo  sa Sugbu’ Award by the Province of Cebu for his outstanding achievement  in international relations, ‘Most Outstanding Cebuano citizen’ per Cebu  City council, ‘Great Cebuano Award’ conferred by the Province of Cebu  and Sugbuanong Kumintaristang Nagpakabana (SUKNA), and Kapisanan Ng  Mga Bradkaster Ng Pilipinas (KBP), among others.

CCCI’s CBM Power Team closes the Awards Night with a song number by Cebuano talents Sakdap and Anna Fegi(Photo by Daxine Abala, USC-CAFA Intern)

He also sits as the President of Benedicto & Sons Co., and  Berben Wood Industries, Inc., and chairman of Enrison Holdings, Inc.,  Benedict Venture, Inc., Cebu Grand Industries Corporation Grand Steel,  Inc., and Enrison Land, Inc.

“Courage go to all entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs. Afterall, we  are all our own bosses, the master of our lives. As for legacy I have  to Cebuanos, it is for Cebuanos to know that Cebuanos can. Cebuanos  know courage and innovation,” Benedicto enthused.

Among the other awardees in the CCCI Chamber Awards Night were IPI  Foundation, Inc. for CSR Institution of the Year, Chilo James Delator,  managing proprietor of Chilen Chicharon for Small Business  Entrepreneur of the Year, Vito Angelo Selma, design director of  Stonesets International, Inc. for Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and  Sergio Antonio Paras, Jr., president of Shamrock Bakery & restaurant  Corporation for Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year.

VIP guests and friends were treated with leisure prizes, and  entertainment by Cebu’s talents. GMA Network’s talent Jennelyn Mercado  serenaded the crowd, while Filipino BBC reporter Rico Hizon hosted the  evening’s event. CCCI Grand Chamber Awards & Fellowship Night was held  last june 28 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. (With Press  Release)