University president in Cebu bags ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award

By Wilfredo Rodolfo III

UNIVERSITY of Cebu (UC) president Agusto Go was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” during the Grand Chamber Awards of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on Monday.

Go was credited for turning his then-modest Cebu College of Commerce in 1964 with 500 students to UC, with more than 46,000 enrolled students this year. “The University of Cebu has produced students with skill, attitude and value and are now living a meaningful life,” Go’s citation read.

Known for producing the country’s entrepreneurs into business giants, the Grand Chamber Awards is on its 13th year.

Recent winners include Michel Lhuillier of M. Lhuillier Pawnshops Inc., Frederick Ong of Ong Kin King and Co. and Wilson Ng of Ng Khai Group of Companies.

In his speech, Go, who is also honorary consul of South Korea to Cebu, said the secret to success is hardwork. “It’s hardwork, more hardwork and at the end of the day, with God’s help, you will be successful,” he said. The GCA Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a search for outstanding Cebuano or Cebu-based businessmen from diverse industries.

According to CCCI, “it recognizes vital contributions among leaders and catalysts of change who build and sustain world-class businesses. A testament to vision, leadership and achievement, they create employment, new products and industries; enrich individual lives; and contribute to the vibrancy of economies.”

The other awardees were Jane-Jane T. Ong of Leona Cakes and Pastries as “Small Business Entrepreneur;” Philip N. Tan of Wellmade Motors & Development Corp. as “Socially Responsible Entrepreneur”; Nestor  Archival Sr. of NA Systems Inc. as “Environmentally Responsible Entrepreneur”; and Mario Patricio Barcenas of MatMat’s Chicharon as the “Countryside Microentrepreneur of the Year.”

A Grand Chamber Special Citation was also given to barangay Luz (Cebu City) Homeowners Multipurpose Cooperative, represented by its barangay captain Nida Cabrera, for its active efforts in pursuing environmental conservation through its solid waste-management program “Kwarta sa Basura.” 

Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative, represented by its general manager Ellen Limocon, was also cited for having successfully managed and sustained its grassroots organization and by setting an example on how cooperativism can enhance people’s lives through initiatives toward self-sustenance and self-reliance.

CCCI also presented the first-ever Grand Chamber Award of Distinction to Handwerkskammer Kassel  (HWK), Germany, represented by its former executive director Nikolaus Schuchhardt, for being “the catalyst and partner in the development of CCCI into an outstanding, professional business organization through the Philippine-German Chamber Cooperation Program (P-GCCP) and the Regional Chamber Development Program (RCDP).”

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University president in Cebu bags ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award

UNIVERSITY of Cebu (UC) president Agusto Go was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” during the Grand Chamber Awards of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) on Monday.