TSPI Development Corporation client Lucila Cruzada received the Best Micro-Entreprenuer for Luzon Award in the recently concluded search for Citibank Microentreprenuer of the Year. The nationwide search conducted by Citibank and the Microfinance Council of the Philippines, with the support from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recognized and honored the exemplary accomplishment of Filipino microentrepreneurs for having worked their way out of poverty and now making significant contributions in building local economies. Together with the other seven winners, Ms. Cruzada received a trophy and a cash prize during the awarding ceremony held on 19 November 2002 at the Galeria Bangko Sentral, Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

TSPI Client Lucila Cruzada holds the trophy handed over to her as the Best Micro-entrepreneur for Luzon in the Citibank Microentrepreneur of the Year Awards. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Rafael Buenaventura & BSP Monetary Board member Antonio Alindogan Jr. join the TSPI contingent headed by TSPI President Rene Cristobal, Board Member Olivia Pascual & Executive Director Ruben de Lara.

Ms. Cruzada is among the 64,000 clients availing microfinance from TSPI. A former sewer in a factory in Manila, she started her ready-to-wear micoenterprise in 1996 upon the family's migration to Nasugbu, Batangas. She began with a capital of P1,000, one second-hand edging machine and two rented sewing machines. With additional capital over the past five years from TSPI, Ms. Cruzada's business has grown, which now employs four full-time sewers. She also supplies four retailers in Batangas and in Cavite.

Fresh from the awarding ceremony, Ms. Cruzada has already drawn up a plan to further expand her business. She intends to buy a cutting machine that will allow her to cut 200 layers of cloth, all at the same time. She also plans to diversify her product line from house clothes to include house slippers that will make use of the scrap clothing materials. The drive to excel is what makes Ms. Cruzada stand out as the best microentrepreneur of Luzon.