PFA Founding President and Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim led the winners’ roster of the 7th Dr. Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence. Under the auspices of the Manila Times, the said award recognizes Tsinoy achievers in various fields of endeavors, which include Arts, Literature and Culture, Community Service, Journalism and Business and Entrepreneurship among others. Mr. Lim, as ‘Father of Philippine Franchising’, was awarded for excellence in Business and Entrepreneurship particularly for his pioneering and continuing work in Philippine franchising.

Mr. Lim was also noted for spearheading efforts to raise Philippine franchising to world-class standards, particularly for his vision to make the Philippines the Franchise Hub of Asia. One of his contributions cited bringing the US-based Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) program to the country making the Philippines the first country outside the US to offer the said mini-MBA course. Today, the Philippines has the most number of CFE graduates in Asia, thus strengthening our position to become Asia’s Franchise Hub.

The award is also seen as an endorsement for franchising as a powerful tool for national and economic development.

Every awardee honored is not only a model of excellence in his field, but has also contributed in a remarkable way to the country's growth and development.

The Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence project honors outstanding Chinese-Filipinos, or Tsinoys, as paragons of excellence, patriotism and concern for the community like the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, who is a Filipino of Chinese descent. Partnering with Manila Times in this endeavor is Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran Inc., a leading Tsinoy foundation.

Other awardees of the 7th Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence were designer Kenneth Cobonpue, journalist Ricardo Lo, and movie producer Mother Lily Monteverde among others. Previous winners include John Gokongwei, Washington Sycip, George Ty, Lucio Tan, Julie Yap-Daza, Doreen Yu and Alfonso Yuchengco.

Photo shows Mr. Lim (second from right) with (from left) Manila Times president and CEO Dante Ang Jr., Chief Justice Renato Corona and Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran president Ganny Tan during the awarding ceremonies at the Kaisa Heritage Center in Intramuros, Manila.