Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Citi Foundation and Microfinance Council of the Philippines (MCPI) awarded nine outstanding Filipino microentrepreneurs at this year’s 16th Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards (CMA).
Winning the national award was (second row, center) Erwin Ramos, owner of Erwin and Lanie’s fishball from Bulacan.
The regional winners were (second row, left to right) Rosario Amoroto of Island’s Best Foods for Visayas, Maria Elena Estadola of New Life Crafts – Infinito for Luzon, and Arnold Viado of Bam and Jhon Balut Maker for Mindanao. Mary Grace Bayalas (top row, second from left) of Bayalas Birthing Home and Family Planning won the Youth Microentrepreneurship Award.
Special awards were given to (top row, left to right) Romeo Ponio, a corn and vegetable farmer for Agri Micro-business; Jessette Oquendo of Surublien for Community Leadership; Estrella Balnao, a coffee farmer and producer for Agri Micro-Business; and Marisa Ganding of Azul Massage Suites and Wellness Center for Startup Micro-Business.
The 16th CMA National Selection Committee included (front-row, left to right) BSP deputy governor Chuchi Fonacier, Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed, Marixi Rufino-Prieto and Joey Concepcion.