Innovative fishball maker from Bulacan named top winner of 2018 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards
An entrepreneur’s innate ability
to fish deep for innovative ideas to propel his fishball-making business to
success earned him the top spot in the 2018 Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards
(CMA), a program funded by the Citi Foundation and hosted in partnership with
the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Microfinance Council of the
Philippines, Inc (MCPI).
The CMA is a signature
initiative of the Citi Foundation aimed at generating economic opportunities
for low-income people, including youth, around the globe. The awards program
provides entrepreneurs with resources to strengthen their business, including
access to networks, capital, tools and training; and enables individuals to
create economic sustainability for themselves, their families, and their
communities.
Erwin Ramos, who turns bidbid fish into fishballs and other
processed products, was presented the CMA Microentrepreneur of the Year award
in ceremonies held at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas Complex, Manila.
Ramos
was joined by other awardees: Maria Elena Estadola, nito handicrafts business owner, Regional Awardee for Luzon;
Rosario Amoroto, calamansi processing business owner, Regional Awardee for
Visayas; Arnold Viado, balut producer,
Regional Awardee for Mindanao; and Mary Grace Bayalas, midwife and owner of a
birthing home, Youth Microentrepreneur of the Year.
The Special Award for Agri
Micro-business was given to two equally deserving winners this year: Estrella
Balnao, a coffee farmer and producer; and Romeo Ponio, a corn and vegetable
farmer. The Special Award for Community Leadership went to Jessette Oquendo,
owner of a pasalubong (souvenir) center for Palawan crafts; while Marisa
Ganding, a spa and wellness center owner, received the Special Award for
Startup Micro-business.
During the launch of the 2018 CMA, BSP governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. pointed out
that "It is only appropriate that we continue to showcase truly inspiring
success stories of our microentrepreneurs. Since its creation in 2002, the CMA
program has served as a vehicle to encourage other aspiring microentrepreneurs
nationwide and to spread the message that through the value and nobility of
hard work, anything is possible.” He added that “our partnership with MCPI and Citi Foundation is a
significant contribution to the BSP's Continuity Plus-Plus Agenda - one aspect
of which is ensuring that our financial system is inclusive and leaves no one
behind."
“We are honored to
recognize and celebrate successful entrepreneurs whose perseverance,
determination and conviction to pursue their dreams serves as an inspiration to
others. These outstanding entrepreneurs have made a difference for their
families and now serve as catalysts to encourage and motivate other
entrepreneurs to follow in their footsteps. Citi Philippines is dedicated
to supporting financial inclusion initiatives that help Filipinos achieve
financial independence and enable them to make a contribution to their
communities,” said Citi Philippines CEO Aftab Ahmed.
In 2011, Ramos, together
with his wife Lanie, experimented with the use of bidbid fish—considered a nuisance in bangus fishponds—as base ingredient for fishballs. In time, they
ventured into dried fish processing and fish chicharon (crispy skin)-making. An initial loan of PhP5,000 from UPLIFT
Philippines, Inc. helped Ramos launch their own brand, Erwin and Lanie’s
Fishball. His production facility in Paombong, Bulacan churns out freshly made
fishballs and other products on a daily basis. No part of the bidbid fish goes to waste; even the
innards are used as feeds in prawn farms. To this day, Ramos continues to make
product innovations while relentlessly marketing his products to clients in
person.
This year’s winners
received close to PhP2 million in cash and non-cash prizes that include life
and health insurance coverage for one year; laptops and IT training; and
grassroots entrepreneurship training at the Citi Microenterprise Development
Center, another Citi Foundation program in partnership with Bayan
Academy. The winners will also be highlighted during celebratory town
halls in their respective hometowns after the awarding ceremony.
The National Selection
Committee (NSC) that chose this year’s winners is composed of Gov. Espenilla
and Mr. Ahmed as co-chair; with members Mr. Jose Ma. A. Concepcion III, president
and CEO, RFM Corporation; Ms. Teresita T. Sy-Coson, vice chairperson, SM
Investments Corporation; Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, chairman and CEO, GMA Network,
Inc.; Hon. Ramon M. Lopez, secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Ms.
Mary Ann M. Montemayor, Mindanao Private Sector representative, National MSME
Development Council; Ms. Imelda M. Nicolas, president, Samahan ng mga Pilipina
para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran; Ms. Marixi Rufino-Prieto, former chair, the
Philippine Daily Inquirer; Dr. Michael L. Tan, chancellor, University of the
Philippines Diliman; Mr. Orlando B. Vea, president, Voyager Innovations, Inc.;
and Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president, Ayala Corporation.
CMA is now on its 16th year of
recognizing outstanding microentrepreneurs across the Philippines. Through the
years, this awards program has highlighted the efforts of multiple stakeholders
working together to strengthen microfinance and enterprise development, and
financial inclusion in the country. CMA has given recognition to over one
hundred microentrepreneurs across the country, including youth
microentrepreneurs and those with notable contributions in community
leadership, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
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