Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards Recognizes Leading Entrepreneurs in the Philippines

MAKATI, Philippines, Dec. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Twenty of Philippines leading entrepreneurs and business leaders were named as this year's recipients of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2016 at an awards ceremony in Makati, Philippines.

Over 300 attendees were present at the by-invitation only event, comprising of industry leaders, leading entrepreneurs, dignitaries and the who's who of the business world, including, Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, chairman of Enterprise Asia, Congresswoman Gwendolyn F. Gracia, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines and advisor to Enterprise Asia, and Dato' William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia.

The Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards, better known as APEA, is a regional recognition program organized by Enterprise Asia, the region's foremost association and think-tank for entrepreneurship. The Awards are presented to a handful of entrepreneurs across Asia Pacific each year, with award ceremonies held in over thirteen countries every year.

The Awards is often compared to the Olympics for the stringent entry criteria and highly competitive judging parameters.

Nomination is by-invitation only with each nominee subjected to a rigorous judging process, including financial verification by an appointed audit firm and mandatory physical site audit and interview, culminating in a confidential balloting process by Enterprise Asia's committee.

"We can say with certainty that the recipients of the APEA are like none others. Not only do they have to prove their entrepreneurial skills and experience in one of the toughest contests in the world, they also subject themselves to a pledge to uphold the highest standards of entrepreneurship, which includes allegiance to the two founding pillars of Enterprise Asia, namely Investment in People and Responsible Entrepreneurship", says Dato' William Ng, President of Enterprise Asia.

Among the recipients were business magnate and philanthropist Henry Sy Sr., chairman of SM Investment Corporation who received the iconic Lifetime Achievement Award. Edgar Injap Sia II, chairman and CEO of Doubledragon Properties Corporation and Dr Milagros O. How, executive vice president of Universal Harvester, Inc were both honoured with the APEA 2016 Philippines Entrepreneur of The Year for their remarkable achievements in their respective industries.

In receiving the award, Sia said, "In whatever you choose to do, pursue it with intense passion, and make sure it is able to uplift the lives of others".

Dr. How, said, "a successful entrepreneur is like a farmer. He is the epitome of resiliency - willing to bend, but will never be broken. His heart is filled with the seeds of innovation and commitment. And he waits patiently for the time when he can reap the bountiful rewards of his hard work."

Mr. Ng explained, "the APEA is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship. Beyond recognizing the efforts of these entrepreneurs, we hope to encourage them to continue taking their businesses to the next level, and in the process, providing more job opportunities to the people in the region, and help to drive the economy forward".

Recipients of this year's APEA in the Philippines hail from various industries, but all agree that determination and risk-taking are essential for success in business.

"Make sure you have a clear goal in mind and put everything behind that goal. Don't give up so easily, because sheer determination and passion can get you through the challenges of starting a business," said Nikki Tang, CEO of DMark Corporation.

President & co-founder of Organique Inc, Joseph Elton T. Salimbangon said, "we didn't see it merely as a business but as a mean to improve the health of our kababayans (countrymen)".

Dr Henry Lim Bon Liong, chairman & CEO of SL Agritech Corporation believes that, "the biggest risk of an entrepreneur is not to take risk at all".

"It is an honour to be recognized in the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards alongside the country's most hardworking and passionate leaders. This award further inspires us to continuously innovate, practice responsible entrepreneurship, and do all that we can brighten the lives of people across Asia," said Rizalina G. Mantaring, president & CEO of Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc.

Full list of recipients of APEA 2016 Philippines

Lifetime Achievement Award

Henry Sy, Sr., Chairman, SM Investment Corporation

Entrepreneur of the Year (Property)

Edgar Injap Sia II, Chairman & CEO, Doubledragon Properties Corporation

Entrepreneur of the Year (Agriculture)

Dr. Milagros O. How, Executive Vice President, Universal Harvester, Inc.

Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2016 Recipients

Takashi Sumi, President & CEO, Atlas Fertilizer Corporation

Maria Estela O. Nievera, President and CEO, Cabalen Management Co., Inc

Lim Kok Hin, President & CEO, Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc

Ricardo R. Chua, President & CEO, China Bank Corporation

Aftab Ahmed, CEO, Citibank

Harold Thomas Pernikar, Jr, Group Director- Concepcion Industrial Corporation

Beverly Morales Dayanan, Founder, CEO & President, Contempo Property Holdings Inc.

Nikki Tang, CEO, DMark Corporation

Jing S. Lagandaon, COO, Globallink MP Events International Inc.

Robert G. Hayes, Country Manager, Philippines, LizardBear Tasking Inc.

Dante M. Abando, President, Makati Development Corporation

Joseph Elton T. Salimbangon, President & Co-Founder, Organique Inc

Eulalio B.Austin Jr, President & CEO, Philex Mining Corporation

Roland C. Delantar, President & CEO, RCD Land Inc.

Roman Felipe S. Reyes, Chairman, Reyes Tacandong & Co.

Dr Henry Lim Bon Liong, Chairman & CEO, SL Agritech Corporation

Rizalina G. Mantaring, President & CEO, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc.

For further information, visit www.apea.asia.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is the leading pan-Asian association of entrepreneurs, formed by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Enterprise Asia champions sustainable entrepreneurship and a fair and equitable framework for entrepreneurship across the region. For more information, visit www.enterpriseasia.org. 

Media Contact: Kaucy Raymond, Enterprise Asia, +60378030312, k.raymond@enterpriseasia.org

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SOURCE Enterprise Asia