Louisians from the Saint Louis University (SLU) School of Accountancy, Management, Computing, and Information Studies (SAMCIS) took center stage to receive prestigious awards at the 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo held on 22 October 2024, at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Pasay City. Two SLU entries emerged victorious in the Business Idea Development Award (BIDA). PawPaw’s Deli was named Grand Champion in the Non-Food Category, while Pawsitivity earned 2nd Place in the Service Category.
The awards were presented by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), with the teams proudly receiving their trophies. Team PawPaw’s Deli is comprised by Juliana Dyanne Chua, Pamela Paula Ferrer, Aarich Joshua Laberinto, Leangel Malabanan, and Allen Jo Pascua. Team Pawsitivity, on the other hand, includes Erika Emanuelle Domingo, Bernadette Guidangen, Jun II Macario, Alyana Gabrielle Natividad, and Geliann Perez. Both groups stood alongside their coaches, SAMCIS Associate Dean April Gumnad, Karlo Dacanay, and Jordan Tangonan. Dressed in traditional barong and Filipiñana attire, they represented the university with honor, pride, and distinction.
After the awarding, opportunities arose to engage in dialogue with business owners who showed interest in the winning entries, opening doors for potential partnerships and mentorships that could further develop these innovative projects.
With this year’s theme, “Embracing Innovation. Empowering Business. Enriching Lives”, the country’s biggest business conference gathered thousands of business leaders, entrepreneurs, tycoons, and young professionals in a dynamic chamber where networking and potential partnerships could flourish. It provided an excellent avenue for growth and development, offered insights into the future business trends, and underscored the pivotal role of businesses in achieving sustainability.
This annual event by the PCCI celebrated the essential contributions of the private sector in promoting sustainable practices while contributing to national economic progress. It is an endeavor that strongly affirms United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). (Article and Photos by SAMCIS)
