Blazing Trails to Tomorrow
In this issue, I am sharing my final list of young achievers for Daily Tribune 100, composed of tomorrow’s leaders under 50 years old and making a difference in people’s lives. My choice is personal but the accomplishments of the people on the list reflect their person. They are trailblazers among their generation.
Farmers’ ally
Cherrie Atilano’s mission in life is to help the Filipino farmer. Her company, Agrea, aims to develop the first One Island Economy in the Philippines. Her vision: Zero hunger, zero waste and zero insufficiency. She is also a consultant at the Department of Agrarian Reform. She envisions communities where farmers themselves are the champions of socio-economic growth because they are capable of introducing changes in their lives. This can be achieved, she would tell everyone, through sustainable agricultural programs.
Through Agrea, she helps address the needs of the most neglected sector in the country. She works with public and private institutions, as well as civil society organizations.
She hopes that the localized supply chains, which generated $40 million in revenue for farmers during the pandemic, will continue even as Covid-19 restrictions ease.
With her at the helm, the Move Food Initiative delivered 160,190 kilogrammes of vegetables and fruits, supported 7,426 Filipino farmers and partnered with and donated to 10 community kitchens feeding 4,594 frontliners.
Mindanao mover
Ricardo “Cary” Floirendo Lagdameo has been leading Damosa Land Inc. (DLI) and Anflo Industrial Estate Corporation (AIEC) since 2014. He is responsible for the overall strategic direction for all business lines of the real estate group including residential development, commercial and office leasing and industrial park development. Cary has achieved an annual revenue growth of over 350 percent for the company from 2013-2018.
Under Lagdameo’s leadership, DLI launched several milestone projects in Davao such as its first agro-industrial estate, its first condominium project, the first flexible workspace solution in Davao, mixed-use projects, which includes Agriya, the first master-planned agri-tourism development in the Davao region, and the newly completed and iconic Damosa Diamond Tower.
Through Agriya, Damosa Land partnered with the University of the Philippines to establish the UP Professional School for Agriculture and the Environment (UPPSAE) in Panabo City, Davao del Norte. Cary was also responsible for bringing in foreign investors to various Damosa Land projects in the Davao region, including its agro-industrial park, Anflo Industrial Estate and the Damosa IT Park, both PEZA accredited economic zones.
Lagdameo is an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist (2017) and an Injap Sia Entrepreneur of the Year (Philippine Chamber of Commerce & Industry) Finalist 2017.
Real estate wiz
Sheila Lobien is the founder and CEO of the Lobien Realty Group (LRG), one of the fastest rising real estate consultancy firms in the country. She honed her business acumen working for a Fortune 500 real estate consultancy corporation for many years before establishing her own company. Due to Lobien’s expertise and skills, combined with her trustworthiness and genuine concern for the welfare of her network of clients, LRG achieved success quickly.
Lobien has been the chairperson of the Women in Business Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP). She has worked hard to support women, develop them as leaders and advance their stature in business. Her programs, CSR initiatives, sponsorships and projects as Women in Business Committee chairperson of the ECCP have been helpful to many businesswomen.
Lobien was presented with the Woman Super Achiever award by the World Women Leadership Congress (WWLC), a prestigious worldwide organization that seeks to promote and encourage the empowerment of women.
People’s doctor
Dr. Raul T. Cruz Jr. is a popular doctor.
Coming from a family of businessmen, Dr. Cruz, took up medicine to be with the common people. Dr. Cruz sees his practice as a tool to bridge the economic gap among his patients. He maintains that quality medical care should not be the monopoly of the rich. Always unassuming, Dr. Cruz enjoys the company of his marginalized and mostly elderly patients.
Dr. Cruz is currently the medical affairs director of Truline Holdings & Development Corporation and the medical affairs manager of Bausch & Lomb Philippines Inc. He is also the corporate secretary and an active consultant of Illumina Aesthetic Centers since 2011. In addition, he is an active consultant under the Department of Ophthalmology at De Ocampo Memorial Medical Center in Manila, Asiamedic Family Hospital and Medical Center and Imus Family Hospital in Cavite City, and Alfonso Specialist Hospital in Pasig City.
Beautypreneur
Nikki Tang is a passionate ASEAN beautypreneur, leader and CEO of DMarkBeauty and DermAsia.
She advocates and upholds beauty breakthrough leadership transformation for partners and networks.
She is committed to advance the Dermacosmetics and Medical Aesthetics industry and to encourage and support dermatologists, doctors and entrepreneurs to be successful within the domains of clinical practice.
Nikki has many distinctions. This year, she is the vice chair of the Financial Executives Women’s Institute Committee. She is recognized as a beauty and wellness and women empowerment advocate. She served as president of the Rotary Club of Makati Premier District from 2019 to 2020. The Filipina Women’s Network named her one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World in 2017. She was a Woman of Style and Substance in 2016.
Nikki is a fellow of the Royal Institute of Beauty Care.
