Ten Filipinos venturing in different areas of biotechnology business enterprises were honored as the Most Inspiring Biotech Entrepreneurs by the Hybridigm Consulting, Inc., a biotechnology consulting firm, in partnership with Go Negosyo, an advocacy group of the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), during the Opening Ceremonies of the 4th Philippine Biotechnology Venture Summit held on April 16, Wednesday, at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, in Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City.

The awardees were:
• Dr. Samuel Bernal of Globetek Pro Health, specializes in advanced integrative molecular and biotherapies;
• Dr. Gisela Concepcion of Biomart Asia, uses ‘Biogenins’, a class of phytochemicals or plant secondary metabolite primarily consisting of compounds found in fruits, vegetables and woody plants, in skin and health care products;
• Rolando dela Cruz of RCC Amazing Touch, uses extracts of cashew nuts and other Filipino herbs in the development of organic cream that treats Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), the most common type of skin cancer;
• Vicenta Mendoza Escobar of Sol y Viento Research Center, specializes in herbal formulations using ’Noni’ (apatot), graviola (guyabano), mangosteen, and other Filipino herbs, for health and wellness;
• Dr. Saturnina Halos of Arnichem Corporation, pioneers in the research and development of biofertilizers;
• Dean Lao Jr. of Chemrez Technologies, operates the Philippines’ first continuous-process biodiesel plant;
• Dr. Vermen Verallo-Rowell of VMV Skin Research Center, promotes the “coconut lifestyle” in the wellness industry;
• Robert So of Ecosystems Technologies Inc., pioneers the use of biotechnology in developing an advanced biological wastewater treatment process;
• Dr. Rainier Villanueva of Rainiers Research and Development, established the first Filipino herbal company manufacturing facility in the United States that offers cosmoceutical, nutraceutical, and home care products; and
• The Palawan Center for Appropriate Rural Technology (PCART), a non-profit non-government organization (NGO) from northern Palawan, as the Most Inspiring Biotechnology Community Venture because of its notable community project, the Palawan Bio-Farm Enterprises, engaging in production and processing of various herbs into powder to supply the needs of the growing herbal industry.

“We recognize these most inspiring biotech entrepreneurs to serve as role models with great optimism to this country,” said Joey Concepcion III, PCE Founding Trustee.

Recognizing the opportunities in biotechnology, specially in agriculture, Concepcion stressed that “Biotechnology in a way is our gateway to the industries of the future. The field offers highly innovative products and services and surprisingly, the raw materials needed for these ventures can be found locally.”

The awardees received Go Negosyo Inspiring Entrepreneur trophies which were designed and created by Kenneth Cobonpue, a world-renowned designer in Cebu and also a recipient of the Go Negosyo Most Inspiring Cebuano Entrepreneur Award of 2007.

The 4th Philippine Biotechnology Venture Summit, held on 16 – 18 April, was organized by the Hybridigm Consulting, Inc., in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture Biotechnology Program, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Philippine Venture Capital Investment Group, the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture – Biotechnology Information Center, the Philippine Society for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Ayala Foundation, JCI Makati Princess Urduja, the BusinessWorld, and the Philippine STAR.

This biotechnology venture summit is the premier and pioneering conference on biotechnology enterprise and investment held annually in the Philippines. (Rochella B. Lapitan, SEARCA BIC)

For more information, please contact:

Ms. Sonny P. Tababa
Network Administrator
Biotechnology Information Center
SEAMEO SEARCA
College, Laguna 4031
Email: spt at agri.searca.org
Tel: (63-49)536-7163
Tele/Fax: (63-49)536-7162
URL: www.bic.searca.org

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See photos taken during the event.