LANCE Y. GOKONGWEI, president and chief executive officer of Cebu Air, Inc., was named the third Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines in an awards banquet last night at the Makati Shangrila Hotel.

Mr. Gokongwei was recognized for his leadership in achieving the success of Cebu Pacific by offering value service, lower fares and on-time performance, and by redefining the concept of domestic air travel. He will represent the Philippines in the World Entreprenuer of the Year Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco on June 11.

Mr. Gokongwei also won the Tourism Entrepreneur award for building an outstanding company in tourism amid industry obstacles.

Cebu Pacific's affordable rates have attracted frequent flyers, and it is now the second largest airline in the country in terms of capacity offered, traffic carried and revenues generated.

Other awards presented were the Socially Responsible Entrepreneur, Master Entrepreneur, Emerging Master Entrepreneur, Small Business Entreprenuer, Woman Entrepreneur, Innovation Entrepreneur, and Young Entrepreneur.

Ritche C. Rivera, president of RD Manufacturing Group, was cited for using his private sector skills and creativity to help his community overcome social or environmental problems. He was presented with the Social Responsible Entrepreneur award. Aside from employing over 2,000 residents of General Santos City and nearby areas, Rivera leads community outreach programs through the RD Foundation.

Alfredo M. Yao, Chairman of Zest-O Corp., received the Master Entrepreneur award for exemplifying sound management practices in finance, marketing, human resources and sales and for the strong relationship he has built with his employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders.

Johnlu G. Koa, founder and chief executive officer of The French Baker Inc., received the Emerging Master Entrepreneur award for his sound management practices and savvy positioning in the marketplace for future growth into a billion-peso enterprise. He created a boulangerie that has become popular.

Jonathan Jay P. Aldeguer, president of Islands Souvenirs Inc., was presented with the Small Business Entrepreneur award for best demonstrating management excellence in a business with assets of less than P100 million. His company has transformed the concept of buying pasalubong (take home) into a totally new experience.

Ruth S. Callanta, president of Center for Community Tranformation (CCT), received the Woman Entrepreneur award for excelling in entrepreneurship, leadership, and community development. Through CCT, she provides holistic and integrated programs in urban poor communities.

Gregorio G. Sanchez, Jr. founder of Lacto Bacillus Pafi Techno Resources Corp., was given the Innovation Entrepreneur award for creating a new product, and applying an innovative technology business solution, or approach that resulted in improving business processes or growing company. He developed the lacto pafi probiotic bacteria, currently among the superior probiotic bacillus strains in the world.

Bryan C. Tiu, founder of Teriyaki Boy Inc., was given the Young Entrepreneur award for serving as a model for young aspiring entrepreneurs. At the age of 29, Mr. Tiu is considered as one of the country's leading entrepreneurs in the food industry.

The winners were chosen from among 20 outstanding finalists from different industries nationwide.

The other finalists were Rico V. Brizuela, chairman, Airlift Asia, Inc., Guillermo C. Choa, president, Property Company of Friends, Inc.; Mars C. Chua, president, Sportshouse International Leisure, Inc.; Alejandra C. Clemente, chairman, Rajah Tours Philippines, Inc. and Rajah Travel Corp,; Mary Ann Cruz de la Vega, managing partner, Bluer Than Blue Joint Ventures Co.; Catherine V. Delantar; founder and VP - Finance, Natures Legacy Eximport Inc., Roberto R. Gandionco, chairman and CEO, Julie's Franchise Corp.; Judge Esperanza F. Garcia, chairman, Cebu CFI Community Cooperative; Henry Lim Bon Liong, chairman and CEO, Via Venetto; and Glenn Anthony O. Soco, president and general manager, Coffee Dream Co., Inc.

"All the finalists have made outstanding contributions to entrepreneurship and to their communities. They have helped produce new jobs, and new opportunities for many. They have created business breakthroughs that help other uplift their lives," said David L. Balangue, chairman and president of the SGV Foundation.

All nominees went through a strict financial data ranking system used by all Entrepreneur Of The Year participating countries. The Finalists were further evaluated by an independent panel of judges composed of distinguished personalities from government, business and the academe.

The panel was chaired by Cesar Virata, president of the Bankers Association of the Philippines; Dr. Roberto de Ocampo, former Asian Institute of Management president, co-facilitated the judging process.

The other judges were David Bussan, Entrepreneur Of the Year Australia 2003 and founder of Opportunity International Australia; Edgar Chua, country chairman of the Shell companies in the Philippines; Antonio Javier, Jr., managing director of Microsoft Philippines; and Sanjiv Vohra, country officer of Citigroup Corporate and Investment Bank and trustee of the Philippines Business for Social Progress.

The Entrepreneur Of The Year was established by professional services firm Ernst & Young in 1986 to recognize entrepreneurs who have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. In 2003, the SGV Foundation launched the program in the Philippines.

Since then, the program has recognized the contributions of the country's top entrepreneurs and the countless opportunities that they have created for other Filipinos.

The first Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines was Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Foods Corp. who went on to win the World Entrepreneur Of The Year award in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Last year, Socorro Cancio Ramos, founder of National Book Store, won the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2004 award.

Supporting the program as strategic partners were the Asian Institute of Management, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry and Philippines Business for Social Progress. The major sponsors were Microsoft Philippines, San Miguel Corporation, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Sun Life Financial. The official carrier was Air France - KLM and the media sponsors were Business World and ABS-CBN News Channel.

Mr. Lance Y. Gokongwei is the President and a Director of the JG Summit Holdings Inc.,Cebu Pacific Air, Inc., Universal Robina Corporation, Robinsons Land Corporation, JG Summit Petrochemical Corporation, Litton Mills, Inc. and is the Chairman of Robinsons Savings Bank in the Philippines . His other directorships include UIC, Digital Telecommunications Phils Inc. and Singapore Land Limited.

Mr. Gokongwei graduated Summa Cum Laude with double degrees in Bachelor of Science (Applied Science) from Pennsylvania Engineering School and a Bachelor of Science (Finance) from Wharton School , USA . He also attended the Management and Technology Program at the University of Pennsylvania .