The SGV Foundation is calling for nominations for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2005 especially from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Rodolfo Reyes, EOY Philippines program coordinator, said at the roadshow in Bacolod City yesterday, that they want to promote entrepreneurs from Visayas and Mindanao because they consider small and medium businessmen from these areas as world-class.

In fact, Reyes said the entrepreneurs in the provinces "do more than businessmen in Metro Manila" only they don't adverstise.

"Tahimik lang kayo (You work silently)," he told the audience who mostly came from the manufacturing, trading, tourism and transportation sectors.

Last year, winners from Visayas and Mindanao were Wilson Ng, president and chairman of Ng Khai Development Corp., of Cebu and Rodrigo Rivera, chairman and chief executive officer of RD Corp., of General Santos City.

Reyes lauded the Filipino entrepreneurs for being the driving force of the economy, noting that they provide jobs and are the source of taxes.

It is not about income; it is about the story that will inspire Filipinos to follow the entrepreneurs, Reyes said.

The theme for the search this year is "Breakthroughs." To be awarded are the Master Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Industry Specific Entrepreneur (Tourism), Socially Responsible Entrepreneur and Innovation Entrepreneur.

The Entrepreneur of the Year Philippines 2004 was Socorro Ramos, founder and general manager of National Book Store. The first winner in 2003 was Tony Tan Caktiong of Jollibee Foods Corp., who went on to win the World Entrepreneur Award.

The program is founded and produced globally by Ernst and Young and in the Philippines, by the SGV Foundation in cooperation with the Asian Institute of Management, Bankers Association of the Philippines, Philippine Business for Social Progress and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Those who have queries regarding the nomination may call (02) 894-8376, email eoy.info@ph.ey.com or log on to www.eoy.phils.com.*NLG

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