Young and brilliant entrepreneurs were celebrated and honored at the Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards, a joint initiative organized by PHINMA and the De La Salle University (DLSU) RVR College of Business. The awarding ceremony was held on July 25, Tuesday, at The Fifth at Rockwell Events Hall in Makati City.
The honorees of this year’s RVR Siklab Awards came from diverse fields. The list includes Ralph Ray Chua, the Chairman of Immuni Global Inc., whose flagship product ImmuniPlus uses ingredients sourced from local farmers in rural and coastal areas. The second honoree, Stephen Co, is the founder of Nipa Brew Craft Beers which creates craft beers inspired by local flavors. He is also the co-founder and CEO of Worth The Health Foods which develops healthier protein alternatives of classic Filipino meat dishes. Finally, Anya Lim, founder of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, completes the list for uplifting weaving communities by preserving local weaving traditions and incorporating them into everyday wear.
Notable attendees present at the event were Maria Teresa Zeller, Director of PHINMA, Inc., Victor del Rosario, Director of PHINMA Corp., Jose Mari del Rosario, President and CEO of PHINMA Microtel Hotels, Inc., and PHINMA Hospitality, Inc., Miguel del Rosario, President and CEO of Toon City, and Br. Bernard Oca, FSC, President of DLSU and co-chair of the RVR Siklab Awards Board of Judges.
Also present were recipients of the Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building Ambassador Jesus Tambunting and Senen Bacani, and 2019 Siklab Awardees Melissa Yeung-Yap, JB Tan, and Gary Ayuste.
The RVR Siklab Awards was launched in 2018 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the late Ambassador and PHINMA Founder Ramon V. del Rosario, as well as the PHINMA Group’s 60th-anniversary celebration. Del Rosario was considered an icon in business and diplomatic service as he became the first Filipino General Manager of IBM Philippines, the first Filipino Executive Vice-President of Philam Life, and ambassador to Canada, Germany, and Japan.
As such, the RVR Siklab Awards aims to recognize young entrepreneurs between the ages of 25 to 40 who embody the ideals of its namesake and have proven to be exceptional leaders in their fields through sustainable enterprises that empower and uplift the lives of others.
Out of the 100 entries received this year, only three were chosen as standout winners. Aside from receiving a trophy, cash grants worth Php 50,000 will be provided to the honorees in support of their communities, as well as mentorship opportunities from seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals within the PHINMA network, including winners of the RVR Award for Nation Building.
“We are quickly seeing the rise of a new crop of business leaders and nation builders, and I believe it is appropriate that we who have the benefit of more experience and knowledge strive to empower this next generation of entrepreneurs to help them reach their full potential,” said PHINMA Chairman and CEO and RVR Siklab Awards Board of Judges co-chair Ramon R. del Rosario Jr.
“Our hope with the RVR Siklab Awards is that the efforts of these young businessmen and women are given their due credit, allowing them to take pride in what they do and earn the confidence they will need to transform our society for the better,” he added.