Asia Leaders Awards in the past honours companies and individuals in the countryside who excels in their fields. For this year, two women leaders: Merle Mendoza Balicao of Mernels of Los Baños and Liza Carlos Timbol of Guagua Rural Bank., Inc will be hailed in two different categories.

Award winning entrepreneur, Merle Mendoza Balicao is into giving. She’s focused on their CSR, helping the indigents and poor even during this Pandemic, sharing their blessings and coordinating with different NGOs for their projects by providing sacks of rice, cakes and financial support.

Merle started Mer-Nel’s Cake House and Variety Shop in 1996. Mer-Nel is a combination of her name and that of supportive husband, Nelson. With the lofty objective to make Mer-Nel’s known nationwide and to become part of every Filipino occasion and celebration, Merle focused on her mission to provide fine customer service with consistency and affordability and put emphasis on offering high quality and delicious products while providing more job opportunities as their business continues to grow. Now, you’ll see thousands of resellers and branches at SM and people are lining up just to taste the goodness of their products.

According to one of the awards committee, Grace Bondad Nicolas., “A multi awarded businesswoman who received the SME Company of the Year award at Asia Leaders Awards 2020, among other accolades from her community. The CEO of Mernels, Merle Mendoza Balicao is with one of those rags to riches story that you like to read and be inspired over and over again. You’ll find the determination, challenges and success because of those. What we need right now, hope and optimistic behaviour.”

Grace Bondad Nicolas is currently the first woman President of American Association of the Philippines since its establishment 73 years ago, a notable first according to AAPs Chairman Emeritus. She’s also the current Vice President of Makati Tourism Foundation and Lieutenant Governor Elect of Kiwanis Club, Division 3A which composed of clubs under Manila, Pasay, Makati and Taguig.

Some of the honourees at Asia Leaders Awards includes the CEO and President of Jollibee Group, Ernesto Tanmantiong, Senator Manny Pacquiao, Grab Philippines, Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, Frontrow Enterprise, VI Group of Companies, Alfamart Trading and Bounty Agro Ventures Inc among others.

Awarding on November 11, 2021 at Embassy of Singapore. To nominate at Asia Leaders Awards, please check www.asialeadersawards.asia