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• Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year (FEOTY)

Each year since 1989, the Filipino Chamber has bestowed the honor of “Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year” to the most outstanding businessperson of Filipino ancestry who is also committed to community service.

Creating a buzz.  In 1988, Filipino Chamber President Cecilia Villafuerte developed an idea that would create a buzz in the Filipino business community–honoring the outstanding businessmen and women of Filipino ancestry and selecting the most outstanding as the Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year.  The idea was presented to the Board of Directors, which gave its approval, and the committee, co-chaired by David Paco, Randall Francisco, and Edna Alikpala, began its work under the careful eye of Villafuerte.

Setting criteria.  The first task was to come to an agreement as to the selection process.  The concepts of innovation, profitability, and growth were easy factors to agree to.  The last criteria, however, brought some discussion--community service.  Those who were in favor of including community service as a criteria said it was easy to make money but it was also important to give back to the community.  The committee decided community service would be a significant component–twenty five percent.

Recruiting nominees.  The committee knew of many qualified individuals; some declined, however, due to their desire to keep their business affairs confidential.  In the end, ten were nominated for the first award.

The inaugural Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year.  The event was held on April 21, 1989 in the Pacific Beach Hotel.  Approximately three hundred people were in attendance.  The winners, Theo and Elena Butuyan of Elena’s Restaurant, Inc.,  were previously disclosed so there was no suspense.

Subsequent awardees.  The following have received the prestigious award: C. Don Manuel of Benjamin Notkin Engineering (1991); Eddie Flores of Sun Pacific Realty (1992); Luis and Belen Butay of Loulen (1993); Amor Nino of Amor Nino Foods (1994); Edmund Aczon of Aczon Construction (1995); Lito Alcantra of Group Builders (1996); Arthur Lo of ATLO (1997); Violet Arnobit of Ace Medical Services, Inc. (1998); Abner Undan of Trees Hawaii (1999); William S. Julian of Pride of Kapoho (2000); Joseph and Susana Berardy of South Sea Mercantile (2001); Gloria Uy of Golden Coin (2002); William Caliedo of C&S Services, Inc. (2003); Beth Hoban of Primecare (2004); Nicanor Joaquin of Nicanor Joaquin, M.D., Inc. (2005); Michael Rabe of Creations in Catering (2006); Maria Etrata of Home & Community Services of Hawaii, Inc. and Preferred Home & Community Based Services, Inc. (2007); and Agnes Reyes of Case Management Professionals, Inc. (2008).

Launching of the Young Filipino Entrepreneur.  Interestingly, during the inaugural event in 1989, one of the ten nominees for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award was a young man, Roy Pena, who was owner of P.I. Express Services, Inc.  The committee was so impressed with his entrepreneurial skills, being less than thirty years old, that the committee gave him a special award titled “Young Entrepreneur of the Year”, even though such an award was not anticipated.  Ten years later, during the administration of Elias Beniga, Villafuerte proposed that in addition to recognizing the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Chamber recognize the entrepreneurial achievements of those under thirty five years of age.  With the revival of the Honolulu Filipino Junior Chamber of Commerce, there was a potential source of awardees.  In 1999, Aldrin Villahermosa of AMV Air Conditioning and Service, Inc. became the first Young Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year.

Subsequent Young Filipino Entrepreneurs.  The following have been bestowed the honor: Nathan Venzon of Vital Travel (2000); Nicole Santiago Vierra of Ampy’s and Grelyn Rosario of McDonald’s Maui (2002); Jason Ulep of Hypersquad Dance Company (2003); Lincoln Jacobe of Pacific News.net (2004); Marlene Baldueza of ProComm (2005); John and Julie Dimitrion of Mortgage Alliance (2006); Franz Juan of the Law Offices of Fran Dominic Juan, LLC and Juan & Associates (2007); and John Vincent of Landscaper's Best, LLC (2008).

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