Company of the Year (COY) is JA Asia-Pacific’s annual business competition that aims to inspire and award students from the JA Business Skills Pass (BSP) program who aspire to be strong and competent business leaders in today’s world. This year, COY 2024 was held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from March 11 to March 15.
The Philippines was well-represented by two mini companies: La Kumpas from St. Scholastica’s College – Manila and Lakbay Incorporated from University of San Jose – Recoletos. They competed with mini companies from 13 countries in the Asia Pacific regions — Australia, Brunei, China, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
The Main Award “Company of The Year 2024” was given to the following mini companies:
● First Place – O’BGE from the Republic of Korea
● Second Place – Enseña from Guam
● Third Place – Construini from Hong Kong SAR
In addition, there are also special awards to recognize outstanding talent such as Best Financial Management Award, Best Business Video Award, Product of the Year Award and Popular Choice Award. Lakbay Incorporated bagged two awards – Product of the Year Award (1st Place) and Best Business Video Award (2nd Place). Established in 2023, Lakbay Incorporated is composed of the following ABM students: Jean Amberlay A. Mendres (CEO), Clive R. Paca (VP for Public Relations), Jerome Benedict D. Sawal (VP for Production) and Denielle C. Bacus (Finance Staff).
The company name “Lakbay” is a Filipino word which means “to travel” – this subtly encapsulates the company’s mission to promote Filipino culture and social responsibility through eco-friendly practices implemented in the production of their products. Their mission goes beyond selling sandals – they are all for sustainable footwear. Lakbay’s core product is a multipurpose sandal with convertible straps made from jute fibers. Their commitment to using sustainable materials like jute and reducing waste positions them as an aspiring leader in the sandal industry, all while creating jobs and supporting the local community of Carcar, Cebu.
Lakbay Incorporated’s success at the JA Company of the Year competition is a testament to the innovation and dedication of young up-and-coming Filipino entrepreneurs. Their commitment to sustainability and social responsibility are commendable and could serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring businesses.
“We are deeply honored to have been given the opportunity to represent our country on an international platform. Exploring a new culture alongside my peers was both enriching and enjoyable, filled with valuable and unforgettable moments. Winning two awards is a tremendous honor, signifying how far we have come along in our journey. These trophies symbolize not just our accomplishments, but also the immense potential for further growth through continuous learning. We’ll carry the valuable lessons from this journey forward, driving us to more milestones in the future,” this is what Jean Amberlay Mendres said when asked about her overall experience in joining the Company of the Year competition.
Behind every successful venture lie mentors who provide guidance and support, nurturing the potential of young entrepreneurs. La Kumpas and Lakbay Incorporated owe much of its success to the mentorship of dedicated individuals who have played pivotal roles in shaping their journey. Among these mentors are the following: Edward K. Lee, Emilie Nolledo-Tan, Florentino Hernando, Jed Velarde, TJ Lao, Karlo Hain, Ryan Co Garcia, Regine Penaflor, Dominique Quisimbing, Raine Nakpil, Porsha Mangilit and Alaina Tria.
To learn more about Lakbay Incorporated and their eco-friendly sandals, follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550906281621
To learn more about Business Skills Pass and other finance-related programs, visit JA Philippines’ website at https://japhilippines.org/
