Manila, Philippines. March 27, 2023 – The Ramon V. del Rosario Siklab Awards or RVR Siklab Awards once again opens its nationwide search for young trailblazers who bring together sustainable entrepreneurship and nation-building efforts after a 3-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organized jointly by the PHINMA Group and De La Salle University RVR College of Business, the RVR Siklab Awards aims to recognize youth entrepreneurs aged 25 to 40 years old who demonstrates exceptional leadership in their respective fields through organizing and managing sustainable businesses, social enterprises, or self-initiated programs that uplift the lives of others.

To formally launch this year’s call for nominations, the youth leadership award had a kick-off event attended by youth organizations, foundations, and enterprise groups on Saturday, March 18 at Acceler8 Legazpi, Paseo de Roxas, Makati.

“The youth has and will always be a key component in building the foundations for a better future. If we want genuine social change to happen, the private sector should not proceed with business as usual. Businesses should empower, lead, and transform the next generation into good leaders and nation builders our country needs,” said Ramon R. del Rosario, Jr., PHINMA Chairman and CEO and RVR Siklab Awards Board of Judges co-chair.

L-R: Engr. Karl Pacolor of DTI, Gary Ayuste and JB Tan from the first batch of Siklab awardees talked about the vital role of the youth in introducing positive change.

The 2023 Siklab search committee will recognize young and bright business leaders who pioneered positive change, exemplified exceptional leadership skills in their organization, maintained an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset, and embodied the ideals of the late Ambassador and PHINMA founder Ramon V. del Rosario (RVR): a leader, entrepreneur, and nation-builder at a critical time in Philippine history. He was an icon in both business and the diplomatic service, having served as the first Filipino General Manager of IBM Philippines, the first Filipino Executive Vice-President of Philam Life, and ambassador to Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Dr. Aris Alip, a Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building recipient, talked about his work in poverty eradication and the humble beginnings of CARD MRI, a group of institutions with the common goal of uplifting the lives of Filipinos.

The RVR Siklab Awards was launched in 2018 as part of the PHINMA Group’s 60 years of making lives better celebration and to mark RVR’s 100th birth anniversary. It has recognized five exceptional individuals as its inaugural batch of awardees in 2019: JB Tan, co-founder of iVolunteer and The Good Store PH; Clarissa Delgado, co-founder and CEO of Teach for the Philippines; Edgar Elago, founder of Project Scholar, Project ADAMMS (Adopt a Mamanwa, a Manobo student), and Cooltura Couture; Gary Ayuste, founder of BEEngo Farm; and Melissa Yap, founder and executive director of Got Heart Foundation.

“This year, we hope to expand our search and connect with potential partners to be able to provide a wider platform for young entrepreneurs who have made a lasting impact in their own communities. PHINMA, in line with our business as a force of good advocacy, will continue to recognize the passion, dedication, and energy of our youth in working towards a better future for our country through the Siklab Awards,” said Peter Perfecto, PHINMA Vice President for Public Affairs and Siklab selection committee member.

Groups and individuals may nominate a potential Siklab awardee by filling out the online nomination form at bit.ly/RVRSIKLAB2023_CallForNominations. The nomination period will be open until April 15, 2023.

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