‘Efficiency, passion for business’

Outstanding Cebu businessmen and organizations were honored in Friday night’s 2013 Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night capping Cebu Business Month.

Enrique L. Benedicto, chairman of Mabuhay Filcement Inc., was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year.

“An entrepreneur is someone with the efficiency of Jack Welch, innovative style of Steve Jobs, competitiveness of Richard Branson and the work ethics of may late father Bernardo Benedicto to whom I dedicate this award,” said Benedicto in his acceptance speech at the ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

His company was established in 2003. Benedicto said he saw the need for a local cement producer to cater to the needs of the country’s construction industry.

“I believed in my passion and pushed through with the decision to set up the company even though foreign brands were then dominating the market,” he said.

Ten years later, the Mabuhay brand of cement – made with 100 percent Filipino technology – is one of the pillars in the industry.

“Passion, vision and seeing it through is what being an entrepreneur is all about,” he said, “even when the odds are against you.”

Benedicto is the honorary consul of Belgium, a post he’s served for 26 years.

He also serves as an independent director of Cebu Holdings Inc. and is chairman of Enrison Land, Inc., Enrison Holdings, Inc., Berbenwood Industries, Inc., Benedict Ventures, Inc.

He was chosen for his proven expertise in all aspects of entrepreneurship such as management, finances, marketing, and production, said Geronimo Sta. Ana, chairman of the board of judges.

“The awardees were chosen for being good examples for other businessmen in Cebu, for showing social responsibility and being able to harness all these elements into a successful entity,” said Sta. Ana, a past president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Criteria for the various awards included contribution to the community, credibility, and and excellence in one’s field.

Trophies were handed out by Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale and CCCI president Lito Maderazo.

Chilo James P. Delator, managing proprietor of Chilen Chicharon, is this year’s Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year; Sergio Antonio V. Paras, Jr., president of Shamrock Bakery and Restaurant Corp. is Countryside Entrepreneur of the Year; Vito Angelo D. Selma, design director of Stonesets International, Inc. is Young Entrepreneur of the Year; and, IPI Foundation, Inc. is CSR Institution of the Year.

Other members of the board of judges are Efren S. Valiente, Anastacio Muntuerto, Jr., Carlos Co, Francis Monera, Consul Samuel L. Chioson and Prudencio J. Gesta.

Special citations were also given to academic institutions.

“Long before Cebu was known as a trading center and a top tourism destination, Cebu was already a mecca for education, where students from neighboring provinces came to attend school here,” said Teresa Chan, 2013 Grand Chamber Awards chairperson.