Restaurateur named first-ever CCCI presidential assistant for government relations

Bunny Pages, chief executive officer of Pages Holding Inc., is the first presidential assistant for government relations of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. | CCCI photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines–The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has appointed Bunny Pages,  chief executive officer of Pages Holding Inc. (PHI), as the first-ever presidential assistant for government relations.

The CCCI created the post to provide focus on politically related issues and promote effective interaction with the government and line agencies, according to a press statement from the chamber.

The goal is to foster positive relationships between CCCI and government officials.

The holder of this position will also be responsible for the planning the chamber’s publicity strategies and campaigns, as well as deal with inquiries from the public.

Pages has been an active member of the CCCI board of trustees, the members of which has dealt with matters pertaining to the government.

Because of this, he is considered an excellent choice for the position, said the CCCI statement.

According to Pages, he had envisioned himself to be in politics, had he not ventured into business.

“I have this strong sense of civic service. But I never succumbed to the temptation and I don’t think I ever will,” he said.

After earning a degree in chemical engineering, Pages joined the corporate world where he stayed for 25 years.

At the age of 49, he, together with his five children, decided to take on the challenge of entrepreneurship.

He started Pages Holdings, Inc. (PHI), a multi-brand, multi-concept restaurant and food company.

Pages said the company was “founded by someone who was raised and trained to be an employee” but now employs more than a thousand.

PHI manages Lantaw Natives Restaurant, Moon Café, Thirsty Fresh Fruit Juices and Shakes, House of Lechon, Shaka, Café Racer, and BRIGHT Academy, among others.

With Pages’ business acumen, the family business PHI is now a leader in Cebu’s growing food industry.

Awarded as the 2015 CCCI Entrepreneur of the Year, Pages continues to embody his motto, “Be curious, not suspicious,” leading him to secure his spot in being recognized by the business world as one of its best.

Aside from being an entrepreneur, Pages has also been actively involved in public service, having been a member of the CITOM Board.

He also headed the Metro Cebu Traffic Council and the BanTal Task Force, that were created to address traffic issues on the Banilad-Talamban road. | dcb