Ten Filipinas Lauded by ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network

June 21, 2019

Bangkok, Thailand – Ten outstanding business women from the Philippines received the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year Award from HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati of Thailand. The Awards were held within the ASEAN Women’s Business Conference 2019 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

The AWEN awards are given to women who excel in their respective industries and show extraordinary integrity, selflessness, and willingness to actively engage with society. These women also have inclusive enterprises that have both excellent business performance and potential for growth.

This year’s awardees are:

Maria Christina Coronel, President of Pointwest Technologies Corporation, who co-founded the leading multi-awarded 100% Filipino company providing IT-BPM services that pioneered the concept of offshore IT outsourcing in the Philippines. She is currently president of the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines (HIMAP), and has served three terms as president of the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA).

Yvette Candice Gan Gotianuy, Chancellor of the University of Cebu, who transformed the university into a well-respected higher education institution, making it the country’s largest privately held university. She is also President of the University of Cebu Medical Center, a 300-bed hospital with state-of-the-art medical equipment rivaling some of Asia’s best hospitals. Her advocacies include scholarships and community outreach programs.

Emma Marcha Imperial, President and CEO of Imperial Homes Group of Companies, who developed the first mass housing community powered by solar energy, and built over 15,000 homes for low to middle-class citizens, improving family income through electricity savings. While creating a more inclusive environment for home businesses, the green technology reduces acid rain and actively contributes to decreasing harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

Kathryn de Jesus-Bellosillo, General Manager of Wellness brand Kyani Philippines, Inc., who grew the company from ground zero to 5,000 strong active business partners and customers, becoming one of top ten performing markets worldwide. She leads various CSR activities including providing nutritional support to children in depressed areas, and has set up LINGAP at the Correctional Institute for Women to address physical and mental issues of women in detention.

Dr. Genevieve Ledesma Tan, Chief Executive Mentor of Southville International School and Colleges (SISC), who set up a network of seven schools, gaining international accreditation for the strength of its training programs. She also founded the Asian Association of School Human Resources Practitioners, the Capital Market Institute of the Philippines, and the SEED Academy. SISC’s Save a Poor Urban Child Program sponsors needs of hundreds of public school children.

Donna May Pacheco Lina, Lina Group of Companies and Ube Media President, who produces creative educational videos focused on weather, disaster risk reduction and climate change communication, sports tourism and environmental stewardship for multi-platform Panahon.TV, and organizes world class road cycling Le Tour de Filipinas. Ube Media’s Plant and Nurture CSR project for environmental sustainability supports the protection of Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve.

Cynthia Romero Mamon, the COO of Enchanted Kingdom, who ensures that the country’s first and only world-class theme park provides magical experiences as a leader in wholesome family leisure and entertainment. She pioneered the establishment of the Management Information Services Unit for Philippine Council for Agriculture and Resources Research and Development (PCARRD), and was previously President and MD of Sun Microsystems Philippines.

Gladeys Jill Santos-Cua who started Jill Santos-Cua & Co., CPAs (JSC & Co.) to encourage women public accountants to be bold in establishing auditing firms in the male-dominated industry. A Certified Public Accountant, Real Estate Broker, and Real Estate Appraiser, Jill’s CSR advocacies include building and mentoring leaders (LEAD), supporting girls’ education through sale of pre-loved items (DISPOSE), and fund-raising for education (PESO).

Ann Tiukinhoy Pamintuan, a multi-awarded furniture, home accessories, and jewelry designer who was the first Asian woman designer to be included in the prestigious International Design Yearbook. She is the founder of The GildEx Inc., and serves as President of the Mindanao Trade Expo Foundation, connecting different communities and businesses in Mindanao to address gaps in business. She initiated the unified warehouse facility to service exporter and importer needs.

Dr. Mildred Vitangcol who, as President & CEO, elevated St. Peter Life Plan as the Philippines’ number one pre-need company and helped pioneer the e-Burol, the first online viewing facility in the Philippines which allows families living abroad or in the far end of the country to be part of the wake of their departed loved ones. She heads the Rotary Club of Makati Uptown as President, providing medical and dental missions.

This is the fifth year that Filipina business women have joined the ranks of ASEAN awardees. AWEN aims to uplift, empower, and strengthen entrepreneurship skills for women in the ASEAN community. Serving as the focal point for the Philippines at AWEN is the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN), with the Women’s Business Council Philippines (WomenBizPH) as PhilWEN’s permanent chair. WomenBizPH takes the lead in the selection of the Philippine nominees to the AWEN Awards. Joining the awardees in Thailand were Philippine focal points Ma. Aurora Geotina-Garcia, chair of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN); Maria Montserrat Iturralde-Hamlin, president of the Women’s Business Council Philippines, Inc. (WomenBizPH); and Jeannie Javelosa, chair of Business and Professional Women Makati Chapter and co-founder of ECHO Store and GREAT Women.