Six Bulakenyo entrepreneurs are this year's recipients of the Most Outstanding Bulacan Businessmen (MOBB) Awards of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The MOBB is an annual undertaking of the BCCI, which aims not only to recognize outstanding entrepreneurs in the province but to encourage fellow Bulakenyos in engaging in their own entrepreneurial ventures.

This year's theme, "A Tribute to the Bulakenyo's Entrepreneurial Spirit" hopes to highlight more awareness on the big role played by entrepreneurs in the development of this province.

True enough, all six awardees have very inspiring stories of their struggles as businessmen.

Jason O. Tan, is a very young entrepreneur whose family owns highly diversified business interests in the province. He was educated abroad, but he opted to establish his own manufacturing line in Bulacan. Northwing Exports, Inc. produces high quality house decors and exports to at least six countries abroad. Most of his workers are out-of-school youths whose creativity are challenged by their work at Northwing Exports. During the awarding ceremonies, program Host Alan Opao introduced Jason as the youngest awardee and a most eligible bachelor. The enthusiasm was however dampened when during Jason's speech he acknowledged the support of her fiancee who was present during the event.


Tony H. Tengco brought Max's Restaurant to Malolos and Guiguinto. He is however being awarded for his pioneering efforts to bring about reliable water supply and services to the town of Guiguinto through Hiyas Water Resources, Inc. Historically, the Tengcos' seem to have a long-standing romance with the waterworks business. Tony's great-granduncle, Mariano Tengco founded the first water supply system for Malolos. His brother, the former Vice-Mayor Al Tengco, was chiefly responsible for the enactment of the law creating the Malolos Water District during his term. Tony wants to set a good example to his fellow Bulakenyos to look back at the province of their roots and see what they can do to help. Tony is sure his dreams will eventually catch fire.


Evangelina L. Sandel of Pandi, Bulacan was cited for her achievements in the furniture industry. Together with her husband Willy, Eva, who worked for more than 10 years as a nurse in California, decided to return to the Philippines and tested the potentials of a revitalized furniture business. Capitalizing on the skills of the people of Pandi, Eva's Wella Metal Furniture now has several satellite stations in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. They also manufacture and supply foaming materials through Wella Foam.



Salud G. Pineda is the matriarch of the grocery retail chain in Malolos City. She started with a small stall in the Malolos Public Market but eventually became the biggest grocery retailer in the city, before giants South Supermarket and Uniwide Sales set in. Pineda's Grocery is now Pineda Trading Corporation. But despite these competitive threats, Salud has steadily maintained her niche in the local market. Her marketing strategy of "pahango, palista and suki" has enabled her to prevail. All he children are entrepreneurs in their respective lines of business.



Corazon dela Cruz, is known in Sta. Maria, Bulacan for providing employment to hundreds of jobless people, through her clothing business LCJ Garments manufactures a wide array of linen and ready-to-wear item It is one of SM's biggest suppliers c garments and linens. In the midst of business crisis, Ka Cora did not waver pursuing her business because she fee responsible for the people who depend on her business for a living.



And who in Malolos will not know Topico Studio, Inc? Pedro O. Topico, the founder of Topico Studio, Inc., the longest and most successful photographic service provider in this province, start his business as a hobby way back in 1955. Today TSI has 7 branches all over the province. Daughter Florence is likewise becoming a hallmark in photo services in the metropolis, while another daughter Marievic established her own Kodak center in Pasig City. Pedro is at the sunset of his life, but his legacy of quality photo services to Malolos is bound to surpass several lifetimes.


Governor Josie dela Cruz expressed her appreciation of the immeasurable contribution of the six awardees during her tribute. She humbly considered herself a 'no match' to the fetes of the honorees for their lifetime achievements that generated employment for our province mates, and thus brought food to their tables or helped send their children to school, and paid much needed tax money to the government. Indeed, they are our living heroes, as they struggle not only to enrich themselves, but to share their material blessings with the less-fortunate and fulfill the ends of a just and developed society.