The search for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2015 culminated with an awards banquet last October 14 at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-la Hotel where Nico Jose Nolledo, chairman and CEO of Xurpas, was named the top winner. He will represent the Philippines in the World Entrepreneur of the Year in Monte Carlo, Monaco in June 2016.

Five among the 11 finalists were named category winners by the Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2015 judging panel. Antonio Agustin Escalante of Escanova Ventures, Inc. was named Small Business Entrepreneur. Judith Versoza of Aveate Management Corporation was named Woman Entrepreneur. Philip Tan of Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation was named Innovation Entrepreneur. Jose Mari Del Rosario of Microtel Inns & Suites (Pilipinas), Inc. was named Industry Entrepreneur for the Hospitality Industry. Nico Jose “Nix” Nolledo of Xurpas Inc. was named Master Entrepreneur and Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2015.

The Entrepreneur of the Year was founded in the United States by professional services firm Ernst & Young in 1986 to recognize the achievements of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs worldwide. In 2001, Ernst & Young expanded the program and launched the World Entrepreneur of the Year awards. In the Philippines, the SGV Foundation, Inc. established the Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2003.

Supporting the program as co-presenters are the Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Business for Social Progress, and the Philippine Stock Exchange. Official airline is KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, operating on behalf of the Air France-KLM Group in the Philippines.

Media sponsors are BusinessWorld and the ABS-CBN News Channel. Banquet sponsors included Alaska Milk Corporation, Bench, Bounty Fresh Food Inc., Fiori Di M, HSBC, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. Jollibee Foods Corporation, Manny O. Group and Universal Harvester, Inc.

The 2015 finalists include (top row, from left): Wilson Tieng of Solar Entertainment Corporation; Julieta Austria of Blue Macay Food Manufacturing Corporation; Judith Versoza of Aveate Management Corporation; Martine Cajucom of Sunnies Studios; Antonio Agustin Escalante of Escanova Ventures, Inc.; (second row, from left) Januario Jesus Atencio III of 8990 Holdings, Inc.; Jose Mari Del Rosario of Microtel Inns & Suites (Pilipinas), Inc.; Benjamin Lao of Lao Integrated Farms, Inc.; Roland Delantar of RCD Land, Inc.; Nico Jose “Nix” Nolledo of Xurpas Inc.; and Philip Tan of Wellmade Motors and Development Corporation.

Master Entrepreneur and Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2015, Nico Jose “Nix” Nolledo is flanked by former Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines (EOYP) winners. From left: EOYP 2006 Senen C. Bacani, chairman and president, La Frutera, Inc.; EOYP 2013 Ben Chan, chairman of the board, Suyen Corporation; and EOYP 2012 Jaime I. Ayala, founder and CEO, Hybrid Social Solutions, Inc.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2015 winners. From Left: Innovation Entrepreneur Philip Tan, president and CEO, Wellmade Motors; Industry Entrepreneur Jose Mari del Rosario, president and CEO, Microtel Inns & Suites (Pilipinas), Inc.; Master Entrepreneur and Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2015 Nico Jose Nolledo, chairman and CEO, Xurpas Inc.; Woman Entrepreneur Judith Versoza, president and CEO, Aveate Management Corporation; and Small Business Entrepreneur Antonio Agustin Escalante, president, Escanova Ventures, Inc.

Source: ABS-CBN News