With the conclusion of the first two episodes, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) gears towards the last installment of its 3-episode general membership business dialogue series as it takes on discussions involving the “Severely Impacted Businesses” on November 6, 2020 at 10:00 AM via Zoom.
The session taps on the meaningful experiences of the so-called “Severely Impacted Businesses” which includes Hotels, Restaurants, Travel & Tours, Entertainment and MSMEs and how they navigated through this pandemic.
Keynote Speaker Mr. Bunny Pages
Chairman & CEO of Pages Holdings, Inc.
Hear from its renowned keynote speaker Pages Holdings, Inc. Chairman & CEO Bunny Pages as he delivers his take on how to chart the course of businesses towards building back a better Cebu. Bunny Pages is also the President of various restaurants such as Lantaw Native Restaurants, Moon Cafe Restaurants, Cafe Racer Diner, Mismukuno Teppanyaki, Sushi Boy Japanese-Inspired Restaurant, Kan-anan Native Restaurant, Thirsty Juices & Shakes, and Fruitful Smoothies Bar. Mr. Pages is also the Chairman & CEO of Bright Academy and Playhouse Children Center. A former Trustee of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (2016 to 2018) and an Awardee as the 2015 Entrepreneur of the Year, conferred by CCCI.
CCCI gathered colleagues in the Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant Industry and MSMEs leader to share how they were severely impacted and how they think positively and able to see light at the end of the tunnel. Episode 3 also features the following panellists:
Chef Raki Urbina
Vice President of Laguna Garden Cafe
Chef Raki Urbina, the Vice President of Laguna Garden Café. Chef Raki is also the Corporate Chef of the Laguna Group of Companies. Presently a Managing Director, and tasked to oversee Central Kitchen Operations of outlets, R&D, Marketing, Catering, Commissary, and the designated mentor of their family’s 3rd Generation who joined the Family Corporation.
CATOS President Alice Queblatin
Also featured in this episode is the Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) President Alice Queblatin. Ms. Queblatin is the Managing Director of Southwind Travel and Tours, Inc. She also holds various positions such as the Founding Member of Cebu Travel & Tours Association (1986 to present); Commissioner of Cebu City Tourism Commission (2013 to 2017); Commissioner of Cebu Provincial Tourism Commission (2000 to present); VP- Visayas (Travel/Tours Sector) from 2013 to 2015; Vice Chairman, Committee on Tourism, Cebu Business Month, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2019); Resource Speaker/ Trainer, Department of Tourism- RVII (2003 to present); Managing Partner, HEDEX (Heritage and Educational Exchange, Consultancy & Training for Tourism Professionals), Cebu City.
Cebu Ocean Park General Manager Mr. Hitesh Sampat
Cebu Ocean Park General Manager Mr. Hitesh Sampat is also one of the panellists. A Graduate of Bachelor of Commerce, with Post-Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Procurement and Warehouse Management, Indian Institute of Management and Technology, India. Mr. Sampat have 28 consecutive years of hospitality experience with 17 years senior management role. He successfully accomplished 17 years of Senior Management in Business and Luxury Resorts, with Middle East experience in Dubai, Southeast Asian experience in the Philippines and South Asian resort experience in Maldives, and in India. He also have pre-opening and multi-property management experience and is currently spearheading Cebu Ocean Park, a marine themed leisure park and a Landmark, the largest Oceanarium in the Philippines.
RNC Marketing Philippines Founder and CEO Mr. Rey Calooy
Meanwhile, the fourth panellist is RNC Marketing Philippines Founder and CEO Mr. Rey Calooy. He is also the CEO/Chairman of My Partners International, Inc. and the General Manager/Proprietor of Rhea Noemi Food Products. Mr. Calooy is also the Founding Chairman of the Filipino – Cebuano Business Club, Inc an MSME’s Organization in Cebu. He was also affiliated with the following organizations such as Ideological Society of the Phils. being the Chairman and a member of Rotary Club – Tabunok, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kiwanis Club of Cebu; and a Director of Southern Leyte Business Club, Inc. He is also the Founder of Hapitay Hapinay Economic Empowerment Programs (Mass based livelihood initiatives) and a Co- Author of Book Entitled “Asenso Ka Pinoy”.
HRRAC President Carlo Anton Apolinar Suarez
The last panellist is Hotel Resort Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRAC) President Carlo Anton Apolinar B. Suarez. Mr. Suarez is the General Manager of Cebu Grand Hotel and Vibo Place. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in International Business/Management at Northwood University-Florida Campus, West Palm Beach Florida, USA. He was also affiliated with the Rotary Club of Cebu West as the Director of New Membership (2015-2016).
CCCI general membership business dialogue will be hosted by CCCI External Affairs and Relations Vice President Lilu Aliño and moderated by CCCI Treasurer Aldie Garcia.
For more information visit the CCCI Facebook page or send an email to joy@cebuchamber.org/karen@cebuchamber.org.
