Top 20 Revealed in MCCI’s Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs Season 4

The Mandaue Chamber of Commerce & Industry launched the Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs (Women In Need, Now Entrepreneurs and Rolemodels) last July 26, 2014 at the Benedicto College Campus.

Now on its fourth season, the Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs is MCCI’s quest for model women micro-entrepreneurs from Mandaue City who are supporting their families and are struggling to rise from poverty through their business ventures. Their stories of perseverance and creativity will hopefully inspire other women to be empowered. The Search for Winners is chaired by MCCI Vice President, Ms. Carmel de Pio-Salvador and co-chaired by Ms. Alice Uy.

Forty seven (47) micro-entrepreneurs representing the barangays of the City of Mandaue went through the Basic Entrepreneurial Skills Training conducted by Benedicto College Business Administration Department and Basic Banking provided by RCBC. During the pre-judging 20 women micro-entrepreneurs made it through the interview of the panels of judges composed of MCCI Trustees, women in business and media partners.

“The 20 micro-entrepreneurs went through the rigorous selection process and were judged based on their Business Plan (creativity & comprehensiveness of plan presented) which is 30%; Story (courage, perseverance, creativity, character) which is 50%; while 20% goes to their Q & A (quality of response, conversational skills, self confidence)”, Carmel de Pio-Salvador said.

The following made it to the top 20 slot and will get the chance to qualify for the Grand Finals to be held at the Mandaue City Sports Complex on August 27, 2014. They are: Maria Fe Alcala who owns Aisha & Kaila Eatery from Brgy. Paknaan ; Ginna Villamor a store/parlor owner from Brgy. Pagsabungan; Cirila Amoren a sari-sari store owner and Sarah Mae Pongasi a soft-drinks distributor from Brgy. Looc ; Flordelyn Patigayon who owns Babel Landscape & Maintenance Services from Brgy. Canduman; Leah Talle of Brgy. Banilad who is into shell-craft business; Luchille Lumapas Mediola of Brgy. Alang-Alang who owns Zenel Xyrone Eatery/Agrivet; Marites Tilacas from Brgy. Cubacub an Avon dealer; Jocelyn Rotilles a sari-sari store owner and Reynalen Delmar a supplier of feeds from Brgy. Cambaro; Mary Claire Abarquez who is into direct selling from Brgy. Guizo; Rolliet Barrientos from Brgy. Tabok a sari-sari store owner; Maria Carmena Monino from Brgy. Cubacub is into online shopping business; Juvy Arcenal from Brgy. Casili is into internet cafe business; Erlinda Ociler from Brgy. Tipolo into gown and costume rental business; Ma. Teresita Limbaring a sari-sari store owner from Brgy. Cabancalan; Jojet Galendez from Brgy. Subangdaku has carenderia business; Both Marietta Martillan and Roselyn Abing from Brgy. Basak is into direct selling / networking; and lastly Sarah Tunacao from Brgy. Umapad is into sari-sari store and internet cafe business.

The Search for W.I.N.N.E.Rs Season 4 has lined up activities before the final round. The Top 20 will undergo a Personality Development Training by Fashion Institute of Design & Arts (FIDA) on August 7 at FIDA office. The participants will also undergo Make-Up Training to be conducted by Jay Castillo. Other activities include: Business mentoring on August 9 at Benedicto College and Magnolia cooking demonstration which will be held at J Centre Garden on August 12.

They will also have their sponsors’ tour on August 16 where the candidates will also get the chance to shop and choose their own gowns and accessories courtesy of Gaisano Grand Mall Mandaue and will fit their own shoes courtesy of Lipstick company of Ms. Alice Uy. On the same day, the Top 20 candidates will be presented to the press.

The Top 20 finalist stories will be featured in ABS-CBN’s local entertainment program MagTV and will also be published in the Souvenir Program to be distributed during the Grand Finals. Out of the 47 micro-entrepreneurs, ten (10) of them will represent in ABS-CBN’s local game show “Kapamilya Mas Winner Ka”.

The Mandaue Business Month 2014 Celebration is supported by the Cebu Provincial Government and the Mandaue City Government.

Photo above: The Top 20 candidates from Mandaue City vying for the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s Search for WINNERs (Women In Need Now Entrepreneur & Role Models) Season 4 in celebration of the Mandaue Business Month 2014. (Contributed Photo)