Celebrated Honorees of Cebu 2024 (Recognition in Industry)
Cebu, a vibrant city in the Philippines, is home to a diverse range of businesses that have made significant strides in their respective industries. This year, the Best of Cebu Industry Awards recognised six outstanding local brands that embody innovation, community involvement, and business excellence.
Habagat Outdoor Equipment Inc.
Founded by local mountaineers in the 1970s, Habagat Outdoor Equipment has grown to become a national name. Known for durable outdoor gear supporting eco-sports such as kayaking, mountain biking, caving, and climbing, the brand has supported various activities in Cebu and beyond. Their notable achievements include pioneering the Carrera Habagat adventure race and opening the Habagat Sports Climbing Facility Cebu, which promotes urban recreation, sustainability, and physical wellness while showcasing Cebu craftsmanship and homegrown innovation.
TOPS Cebu
Perched atop the Busay hills, TOPS Cebu is a longstanding tourist destination admired for its panoramic views of Cebu City’s coastline. Over the years, it has evolved, focusing on local heritage and hospitality, and offering open-air concerts, cultural showcases, and food pop-ups. This transformation has seen it transform from a quiet viewpoint into a vibrant hub for leisure and heritage preservation, attracting locals and tourists alike.
Harbour City Dimsum House Co. Inc.
Harbour City Dimsum House Co. Inc., a company specializing in dim sum cuisine, is another recipient of the Best of Cebu 2024 Industry Award. While specific details about the company were not provided in this paragraph, its recognition among the awardees suggests a strong local business presence and excellence in its industry.
Skin 911
Skin 911, a brand committed to professionalizing the skincare industry, started as a single clinic in Cebu and has expanded into a franchise network with over 100 branches across the Visayas and Mindanao. The brand offers affordable, accessible services, prioritizing safety, training, and consistency. Skin 911 has also empowered local entrepreneurs, especially women, to establish their own clinics under a trusted brand.
Nonki Japanese Restaurant
Established in 2005, Nonki Japanese Restaurant has become a popular choice for authentic Japanese cuisine in Cebu. The restaurant introduced the Sushi Station concept, using an automated food train to deliver dishes directly to diners, inspired by Japanese kaiten sushi culture.
UA (Underground Apparel)
UA (Underground Apparel) is a Cebu-based fashion label that started as a local streetwear passion project and has grown into a standout label in the city's growing fashion scene. The brand sources fabrics like French Terry and Plains and shapes each piece in-house from stitch to finish, focusing on craftsmanship to retain control over quality and maintain a distinctly local character. UA operates from Cebu and has grown its presence through international collaborations and digital reach, while maintaining its roots in the city.
Each of these awardees represents a unique facet of Cebu's thriving business landscape, from outdoor equipment and fashion to skincare, dining, and tourism. Their achievements serve as a testament to the city's potential and the spirit of innovation that drives its people.
Habagat Outdoor Equipment Inc.'s growth from a local mountaineering venture to a national brand showcases Cebu's culture of innovation in the sports industry. The establishment of the Habagat Sports Climbing Facility Cebu, which promotes sustainability and urban recreation, highlights the city's emphasis on physical wellness and local craftsmanship.
Topps Cebu, initially a quiet viewpoint, has evolved into a vibrant hub for leisure and heritage preservation in the city's tourism industry, attracting both locals and tourists with its open-air concerts, cultural showcases, and food pop-ups.
Skin 911's expansion from a single clinic into a franchise network demonstrates the success of a business model prioritizing affordability, accessibility, and local empowerment in the skincare industry, setting a strong example for the city's thriving business landscape.
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