CEO George Nocom Pua Wins GOLD Entrepreneur of The Year; Rico’s Lechon wins GOLD Company of The Year and BRONZE PR Campaign of The Year
Rico’s Lechon President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) George Nocom Pua (GNP) is this year’s winner of the International Business Awards Stevie® for Company of the Year, PR Campaign of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year for Food & Beverage – Medium Size categories.

The Stevie® Awards is the world’s premier avenue for business award competitions. It was created in 2002 to garner the public’s recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and individual professionals. The competition is known to hold one of the world’s most coveted prizes for businesses and organizations worldwide.
The Stevie Award winners are determined by 250 professionals. The Stevie® Awards reviewed a record of more than 4,000 nominations this year. However, only about 35% of those nominations were considered to have received high-enough average scores to win the Gold, Silver or Bronze Levels.
The new RICO’S LECHON team, led by its President/CEO George Nocom Pua received their awards at the International Business Awards Gala Event at Andaz Vienna Am Belvedere Hotel last 19 October 2019, in Vienna, Austria.
George Nocom Pua: Entrepreneur of The Year

GNP started his entrepreneurial journey at a very young age. Facing challenges in family bonds has pushed Mr. Pua to provide for himself and his family to make ends meet.
Known to his close associates as GNP, Mr. Pua dealt with hardships and challenges in his journey towards his current success. His passion and perseverance to succeed led him to become a seasoned entrepreneur, a respected global distributor, and a world-class restaurateur.
Aside from serving as President/CEO of GNP Trading, where he distributes international brands to world-acclaimed malls like SM malls and Hypermarkets; Pua is also currently at the helm of two corporations: No Limits Food Corporation and Meat Concepts Corporation, the company behind RICO’S LECHON.
Under the following corporations, Pua has also extended his love and passion for food by owning and managing the following multi-awarded brands: KPub BBQ, Thai BBQ Original Restaurant, OPPA Chicken, Modern China, OGAWA Traditional Japanese Restaurant, and Rico’s Lechon.
Under these companies, GNP has provided jobs to more than 1,400 employees and counting.
For his multiple achievements in managing world-class restaurant brands and for successfully turning the tide for the Rico’s Lechon brand, the IBA 2019 judges grant the highest plum to GNP; the coveted “Entrepreneur of Year” GOLD Stevie® Award.
“It is inspiring to see someone raise their lifestyle by serving their community through entrepreneurialism. GNP’s success is motivational since he gives value to the people and extends his care to his employees,” one of IBA judges critiqued.
Rico’s Lechon Wins Company of the Year

RICO’S LECHON aims to provide the best dining experience to its customers through its “Da Best Gyud” culture. More than their service, each Rico’s Lechon’s branch aims to introduce their culture of making every gathering a memorable occasion for the diners.
The innovative approach and appeal of the “Da Best Gyud” culture to the public generated an increase in awareness and customer retention which paved the way for the brand to grow from a company of 50 strong employees to more than 500 employees when they opened 6 more additional branches in just 8 months. For these accomplishments, RICO’S LECHON has been conferred with the highest commendation, the “Company of the Year” GOLD Stevie® Award.
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“Rico’s submission showcased how they’ve taken an established brand and expanded it to deliver impressive business growth with its many restaurant locations. They clearly have an understanding of their audience in their regions,” shares one of the IBA 2019 Judges.
“Daghang Salamat Cebuano’s Campaign” wins BRONZE “PR Campaign of the Year”

On another note, the IBA also recognizes Rico’s Lechon for their “Daghang Salamat, Cebuano!” campaign as the “PR Campaign of the Year” Bronze Level Stevie® Award.
The said campaign is an innovative mix of traditional and new media approach in bringing Rico’s Lechon closer to the hearts and minds of its target diners in Metro Manila. Aside from this, its offline approach includes a festive unlimited buffet of Filipino dishes with the highlight of offering their freshly cooked lechon to all of the dining public for free.
The campaign heralds the wide acceptance of the well-loved Cebu Lechon brand in Metro Manila.
The campaign received plenty of positive and supportive feedback from their customers and established Rico’s Lechon brand as the top choice for authentic Cebuano Lechon and Filipino cuisine.

Rico’s Lechon Thanks International Community
Rico’s Lechon is the only internationally-recognized and multi-awarded lechon brand from Cebu, Philippines and is known to be the lechon of choice of celebrities and well-known public figures.
“We welcome these awards as the international community’s response to our commitment to quality food and momentous dining experience,” shares President/CEO George Nocom Pua.
“Rico’s Lechon will always continue to strive to be Da Best Gyud!, always in what we do,” GNP added.
With its 22 years, Rico’s Lechon continues to exemplify the true-Cebu value of “Da Best Gyud” [The Best Indeed]. Its values focus on giving only the best and most memorable food and dining experience to its beloved customers.
Editor’s Note: RICO’s LECHON is a long-time client of ESTRAT Digital. ESTRAT Digital Marketing facilitated the process of winning these awards.