The country’s most well-loved brands were honored recently as the Philippine franchising sector feted the best of Philippine franchising at the recently-held 10th Franchise Excellence Awards (FEA) Night at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila. Presented by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), FEA is the premier and the only award of distinction in the Philippine franchising which seeks to encourage the sector’s development through the culture of excellence.

Heading the awarding ceremonies was IPO-Philippines Director General Atty. Adrian Cristobal (2nd row, 5th from left) together with PFA officers Samie Lim (2nd row, 6th from left) Chairman Emeritus; Bing Limjoco (2nd row, 3rd from right) Chairman; Robert Trota (2nd row, 7th from left) President and, Manuel Siggaoat (1st row, rightmost), Vice Chairman. Also among the award presenters were Atty. Miguel Varela, PCCI Honorary Chairman (3rd row, 2nd from left), Australian franchising guru Greg Nathan (3rd row, 4th from right) and American franchising expert Cheryl Babcock, (3rd row, 3rd from right). Topping the winners’ list was Jollibee, represented by Ernesto Tanmantiong, President (2nd row, 4th from left), for winning the Global Filipino Franchise (Food Category). Also awarded Global Filipino Franchise (Retail Category) was Bench, which was represented by Jude Ong, Bench General Manager (2nd row, leftmost).

The other winners were: Front row Jay Ramos, Jr. (2nd from left), Julie’s Bakeshop – Regional Franchisee of the Year; Ms. Lucille Cuasay (3rd from left), Julie’s Bakeshop – National Franchisee of the Year; Waffle Time – Outstanding Filipino Franchise, represented by Grace Barañao, EVP (5th from left); Corazon and Jeannie (9th and 7th from left), wife and daughter of Joseph Sing Chua Kao, Waffle Time – Regional Franchisee of the Year; Ms. Ma. Cecilia Pua Phee (5th from right), Max’s Restaurant – National Franchisee of the Year; and Danny Tan (3rd from left), Shakey’s – Regional Franchisee of the Year; 2nd Row (left to right): Philippine Seven Corp. (7-Eleven) – Franchise Marketing Campaign (Retail-Food), represented by Mr. Victor Paterno, President (2nd from left); The Generics Pharmacy – Most Promising Filipino Franchise (Retail), represented by Mr. Benjamin Liuson, President (3rd from left) Mr. Derek Page, UKTI Manila – Chairman’s Award (fourth from right); Seaoil Philippines – Franchise Marketing Campaign (Retail-Non-Food), represented Francis Glenn Yu, President (second from right); s3rd Row (left to right): Red Ribbon Bakeshop – Outstanding Filipino Franchise Hall of Fame (Food-Bakeshop), represented by Joseph Tanbuntiong, President; Shakey’s – Outstanding Filipino Franchise Hall of Fame (Food-Restaurant), represented by Vicente Gregorio, EVP (third from left); and, The Body Shop – International Master Franchise of the Year (Retail), represented by Dr. Mike Muñoz, Director (rightmost).

The 10th FEA was made possible through the support of Megaworld Corp. and other partners which include Ayala Malls, Jollibee Foods Corp., Red Ribbon Bakeshop Inc., Philippine Seven Corp (7-Eleven) and Max’s Restaurant.