The 3nd edition of the annual ICCPI Leadership Awards was held last Friday, November 18, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Fairmont Hotel Makati. The ICCPI Leadership Awards was not merely an event; it was a platform where excellence was celebrated, inspiration was cultivated, and the torch of leadership was passed on to shape the future of business and innovation.
The event epitomized the definition of leadership celebrating those who have demonstrated exemplary contributions, outstanding practices and global excellence in their respective fields. Beyond a mere celebration of achievements, the event aspired to cultivate a culture of empowerment and inspiration, instilling a sense of encouragement for the next generation of leaders. The deliberate choice of the tagline reflected the broader mission of the ICCPI Leadership Awards, emphasizing the transformative power of leadership in nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and steering enterprises toward sustainable success.
The event garnered a total thirty (30) nominees for 10 different awards categories including, (1) Woman in Business of the Year, (2) Exceptional Entrepreneur Award, (3) “ItalPinoy” of the Year, (4) Restaurateur of the Year, (5) Emerging Entrepreneur, (6) Sustainability Business/ Entrepreneur, (7) Innovation Champion, (8) Young Business Leader, (9) Outstanding Leadership, and (10) Italian Executive of the Year.
This event was graced by the presence of his Excellency, the Honorable Ambassador of Italy to the Philippines, Hon. Marco Clemente and the Chairman of the Philippine National Railways, Chairman Michael Ted Macapagal.
The panel of judges include Dante Ang- Chairman and CEO of the Manila Times, Mike Guarin- Partner at KMPG Philippines,Spanky Enriquez- RestoPH, Director of Communications, Dr. Gwendolyn Pang- Secretary General at Philippine Red Cross and Dr. Jikyeong Kang- President, CEO & Dean of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) who was simultaneously elected as head of the panel. The attendees of the ceremony witnessed the performance of renowned Filipino singer and songwriter Ice Sueguerra.
The Sustainability Business/Entrepreneur of the Year was given to Arch. Romolo Nati the Chairman/CEO of ItalPinas. This award recognizes Nati as an individual who has demonstrated best practices for environmental protection and sustainable development. The nominees for this award include Sylvester Wong- Vice-President, Liza Morales- CEO of Philippine GeoGreen.
The ItalPinoy of the Year was awarded to Romolo Nati the Chairman and CEO Italpinas Development, Inc. This award was given to an individual who has proven their capacity and contribution to create business opportunity for the love of Italy and the promotion of Italian/Filipino relations. The nominees for this award were Werner Berger there CEO of Santis Delicatessen and Luciano Zanirato, the Director of Silver Secrets, Inc.
The Emerging Entrepreneur Award was granted to Miles Ballestar- Managing Director of iONTEK Power Solutions Corp. Ballestar is recognized as an up-and-coming entrepreneur who has begun iONTEK and is now expanding their operation with great flair and professionalism. Despite being in the early years of establishment, iONTEK is already on the ideal route to success after starting to accomplish goals based on a clear vision. Nominees for this award included Hon. Lota Lazarte-Manalo-President of Ginga Agrifood Manufacturing and Michael Villostas Maranan-Founder/CEO of Taal Maranans Farmville.
The Innovation champion award was given to Cereal C. Donggay, CEO of Green Energy Development Corporation. This award was given to an individual who tirelessly moves the industry forward, pushing existing boundaries and establishes new foundations, building upon those that are both equitable and sustainable. The nominees for this title included Ingga Cabangon, CEO of Crosta Pizzeria and Alejandro Mañalac, the Chairman and Co-Founder of Havitas Developments and Real Estate News PH.
The Restaurateur of the Year was awarded to the Co-Founder and CEO of Mama Lou’s Hospitality Group, David Sison. This was given to an individual who consistently demonstrated exceptional hospitality, creativity, culture and service throughout the year. The Restaurateur of the Year nominees included the CEO and President of Parmigiano and Mamma Mia, Giulius Iapino and the Founder of A Mano, Amado Fores.
The Sustainability in Business or Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) Award was given to the Founder and President of Sunsmart Solar Power Technology Inc., Jenny Lin G. Maaño. The nominees for the ESG award were the Vice-President and Head of Communications and Sustainability of ACEN Energy, Irene Maranan and the President and CEO of Aboitiz Infracaptital, Inc., Cosette V. Canilao .
The Woman in Business of the Year Award was given to Elizabeth Carlos-Timbol-CEO of Elti Group of Companies, Inc. for acting as the leading voice of women in commerce, inspiring and empowering women in the Philippines. The Woman in Business of the Year Nominees include the CEO of Staffing Expert, Indu Badlani and the Managing Director of A. Menarini, Melissa Ellen Belvis. CEO
The Young Business Leader Award was given to the Chief Commercial Officer, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Penny Estrada. The nominees for this awardwere Josh Meneses Ramos, the President of Menra International and Michael Reyes, the General Manager of The Wine Club Worldwide, Inc.
The Italian Executive of the Year was awarded to the Regional Sales Director of Crif Philippines, Simone Colombara. This award was given to an individual who significantly proved his value within his organization through his expertise, performance and decisiveness, productivity and teamwork. The Italian Executive of the Year nominees for this include the AVP of Sales and Marketing of Rimadesio Philippines, Luca Diciolla and the Associate Director of Habitat for Humanity International, Lorenzo Boffi.
The Exceptional Entrepreneur of the Year was given to the Founder and Chairman of La Roise Noire, Gerard Dubois. This award is given to an individual with vision, strategy, business capacity, and outstanding commitment to his company. The nominees for the Exceptional Entrepreneur Award include the Chairman and CEO of SMEG Philippines, Ton Concepcion and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ASEAMETRICS, Liza Manalo-Mapagu.
The Champion of the Outstanding Leadership Award of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines was given to CEO and President of Airspeed and Women’s Business Council (WomenBizPH), Rosemarie Rafael. Rafael has demonstrated exceptional leadership with her passion, integrity, authenticity, vision, perseverance and commitment. The other nominees for this award included the. Owner of Mango Tree and Genki Sushi and the President of Opulence, Gerry Sy.
The ICCPI Leadership Awards 2023 was not merely an event; it is a platform where excellence is celebrated, inspiration is cultivated, and the torch of leadership is passed on to shape the future of business and innovation. This event it is poised to mark another milestone in recognizing and honoring those who embody the spirit of leadership, setting benchmarks for others to aspire to and surpass.
This event is sponsored by Oman Air, CRIF Philippines, Security Bank, Accenture, Kelmer Group, Cirdtech Photobooth, Robinsons Land Corporation, and All Transport Network.
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For inquiries, please contact: E-mail: info@iccpi.org.ph - Call/Text: 0917-5638633
Written by: Gabrielle Hahn Lopez, ICCPI