RVR SIKLAB AWARDS. Immuni Global Inc. chairman Ralph Ray Chua (from left to right), ANTHILL Fabric Gallery founder Anya Lim, and Nipa Craft Beers founder and Worth The Health Foods co-founder and chief executive officer Stephen Co received the Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards 2023 at The Fifth at Rockwell Events Hall in Makati City on July 25, 2023. The RVR Siklab Awards are given to outstanding young entrepreneurs whose businesses make an impact to the society. (Courtesy of PHINMA)
MANILA – Three young and brilliant entrepreneurs were honored at the Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards, a joint initiative organized by PHINMA and the De La Salle University (DLSU) RVR College of Business.
The honorees of this year’s RVR Siklab Awards came from diverse fields, which included Ralph Ray Chua, the chairman of Immuni Global Inc., whose flagship product ImmuniPlus uses ingredients sourced from local farmers in rural and coastal areas.
The second honoree, Stephen Co, is the founder of Nipa Brew Craft Beers which creates craft beers inspired by local flavors. He is also the co-founder and chief executive officer of Worth The Health Foods which develops healthier protein alternatives of classic Filipino meat dishes.
Anya Lim, founder of ANTHILL Fabric Gallery, completed the list for uplifting weaving communities by preserving local weaving traditions and incorporating it into everyday wear.
They were chosen as winners out of the 100 entries received this year.
Aside from receiving a trophy, cash grants worth PHP50,000 will be provided to the honorees in support of their communities, as well as mentorship opportunities from seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals within the PHINMA network, including winners of the RVR Award for Nation Building.
The RVR Siklab Awards aims to recognize young entrepreneurs aged 25 to 40 who embody the ideals of its namesake and have proven to be exceptional leaders in their fields through sustainable enterprises that empower and uplift the lives of others.
"We are quickly seeing the rise of a new crop of business leaders and nation builders, and I believe it is appropriate that we who have the benefit of more experience and knowledge strive to empower this next generation of entrepreneurs to help them reach their full potential,” PHINMA chairman and CEO and RVR Siklab Awards Board of Judges co-chair Ramon R. del Rosario Jr. said in a statement.
“Our hope with the RVR Siklab Awards is that the efforts of these young businessmen and women are given their due credit, allowing them to take pride in what they do and earn the confidence they will need to transform our society for the better,” he added.
The RVR Siklab Awards was launched in 2018 to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the late ambassador and PHINMA founder Ramon V. del Rosario, as well as the PHINMA Group’s 60th anniversary celebration.
Del Rosario was considered an icon in business and diplomatic service as he became the first Filipino general manager of IBM Philippines, the first Filipino executive vice-president of Philam Life, and ambassador to Canada, Germany, and Japan.
The awarding ceremony was held on July 25 at The Fifth at Rockwell Events Hall in Makati City. (PNA)
