CCCI Honors Exemplary Leadership, Visionary Entrepreneurs and Business Icons

The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) proudly recognized exemplary and outstanding business leaders during the most prestigious Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night, held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Cebu City.

This year’s awards showcased outstanding business leadership and corporate excellence, highlighting visionary strategies, exceptional business acumen, and an unwavering commitment to driving growth, innovation, and transformative impact within their industries across the region.

Topping the list is Barbara “Bambi” Gothong-Tan, President and Chairman of A.D. Gothong Manufacturing Corporation as the Entrepreneur of the Year; Giorgio Bernardo “Gio” Visitacion, Founder of Good Cup Coffee Company as Socially Responsible Entrepreneur of the Year; Alvin S. Hing, President/Owner/Founder of Excelsior Farms, Inc. as Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year; Kyle Alexander C. Aznar, President/CEO of E.B. Aznar Holdings, Inc. as Young Entrepreneur of the Year; Bobby Adan, Jr., President of Prutasan ni Adan as Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year and Christhea Tim “Timmy” V. De Jesus, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Payruler as Technopreneur of the Year.

Moreover, a Special Citation was conferred to Atty. Anastacio T. Muntuerto, Jr. and Madam Nora Muntuerto, Managing Owner of JDM Marketplace in Carcar City, South Cebu as well as Jamaica B. Diamante, COO of Tuburan 360 in Tuburan, North Cebu for their unwavering commitment to excellence; inspiring and uplifting Cebu’s business landscape with outstanding contributions that advance Cebu as a premier destination for investments and tourism – a PARADISE DESTINATION, a corporeality aligned with the Chamber’s call “Invest in Cebu: Prosper in Paradise”.

Likewise, a Special Recognition to Julius G. Neri Jr., General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) for his transformative work at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) with its exemplary contribution to the economic growth and development of Cebu. Under his leadership and direction, MCIA has been recognized as Asia’s Best Airport in the “Under 5 Million Passengers” category at the Routes Asia Awards 2023; distinguished further with a Platinum Award for its sustainability initiatives at the Airports Council International (ACI World) Annual General Assembly. These achievements are testaments of his dedication and commitment to enhancing airport operations, boosting passenger traffic and promoting sustainable practices post-pandemic, a corporeality aligned with the Chamber’s call “Invest in Cebu: Prosper in Paradise”!

Dazzling the night were the past Entrepreneurs of the Year, CCCI Past Presidents and local business leaders who took center stage, among them were Bunny Pages (2015 Entrepreneur of the Year), Engr. Carlos Co (2014 Entrepreneur of the Year), Benito Gaisano (2010 Entrepreneur of the Year), Michel J. Lhuillier (2007 Entrepreneur of the Year), Dr. Wilson Ng (2004 Entrepreneur of the Year) and Madam Julita Urbina (2002 GCA Entrepreneur of the Year).

Through the Grand Chamber Awards, companies and leaders unite to not only showcase their leadership achievements but also to engage in knowledge sharing, build valuable networks, and explore forward-thinking ideas that promote business stewardship and exceptional leadership in Cebu.

CCCI President Jay Yuvallos praised this year’s honorees, stating that the awards serve as a testament to the entrepreneurs’ resilience, innovation, and drive. These awardees exemplify the true spirit of Cebuano entrepreneurship. They have shown the courage to face challenges, the perseverance to overcome obstacles, and the ability to balance their business success with a deep commitment to the community as well as self-care. “They are the movers, shakers, and game-changers of our beloved island province of Cebu,” Yuvallos said.

For over 26 years, The Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night has served its purpose of paying tribute to the exceptional efforts, time, service, and resilience of our entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to the economic growth and development of the community– aligned to pursue envisioning being the Engine of Cebu’s business growth

The Chamber acknowledged the immense support from sponsors. Gold Sponsors, VIVANT CORPORATION and ROCKWELL LAND CORPORATION. Silver Sponsors, AYALA CENTER CEBU and QUALFON PHILIPPINES, INC. Bronze Sponsors namely AUTOCOUNT PHILIPPINES, DITO TELECOMMUNICATION, LEXMARK RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, MARCO POLO PLAZA CEBU, MENCA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (Papakit’s Marina & Fishing Lagoon, Estaca Bay Resort, Nalusuan Island), PAYRECON PHILIPPINES, PILMICO FOODS CORPORATION, PHILINSURE AND D+B WINES, and RAMON F. GARCIA & COMPANY, CPAS (CEBU BRANCH). With Special Thanks to: DEVELOPMENT BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES (DBP), E.B. AZNAR SHIPPING CORPORATION, MLHUILLIER FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., SLIMSTOCK INVENTORY OPTIMISATION, WATERFRONT CEBU CITY HOTEL AND CASINO, and ZTE PHILIPPINES, INC.

For more information about the Grand Chamber Awards or the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, please feel free to call the chamber at 232-1421 to 24 or visit https://cebuchamber.org/ (MCN)