MVP Bossing Awards

Celebrating talent & technology 

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte 

Is your 'bossing' an inspiration to others? Does your business venture possess exemplary creativity and perseverance that makes your story one that deserves to be told? If so, then join this year's search for the new “Heroes of Business and Filipino Pride” and share their great entrepreneurial rags-to-riches story. 

PLDT SME Nation, in partnership with Go Negosyo, seeks to recognize the country's leading entrepreneurs and those who continuously work hard by tapping skill, talent, and technology in order to succeed in their respective business undertakings. The MVP Bossing Awards contest is open to all entrepreneurial and homegrown Filipino businesses operating for at least 5 years.

 “The effects of entrepreneurship extend well beyond the lives of the SME owners and their immediate family. A business instantly creates job opportunities; providing livelihood for more unemployed people. Filipino entrepreneurs are true heroes and it is a great honor for PLDT to support them. We've awarded 12 companies each year in the last 2 years. If there would be more than 12, the merrier. That's good for us as well,” intoned SME Nation VP and head Kat Luna-Abelarde. 

If you know men and women who exhibit creativity and passion in their own enterprises while inspiring others, enlist them. PLDT SME Nation invites all small and medium enterprises (SMEs) around the archipelago to toast to their bossings' triumphs by nominating them in the 2011 MVP Bossing Awards. The contest is an annual search for the best SMEs around the country. PLDT SME Nation launches the search for a new roster of the country's best and brightest entrepreneurs. 

A component of PLDT's Bossing Ako campaign, the MVP Bossing Awards was launched in 2009. Last year's winners were Cecilio Pedro of Lamoiyan Corp. (Grand MVP Bossing Award); Sarabeth Salcedo of Baliwag Lechon; Steve Benitez of Bo's Coffee; Cora D. Ong of CDO; Bam Aquino and Mark Ruiz of Hapinoy; Nelson and Siu Ping Par of PR Gaz Haus; Joe Magsaysay of Potato Corner; Annabella Wisniewski of Raintree Group; Rey and Anais Lapid of R. Lapid's Chicaron & Barbeque; Henry Lim Bon Liong of SL Agritech; Federico Moreno and Vina Morales of Ystilo Salon; and Bobby and Jojo Claudio of Toby's Sports. 

“Toby's Sports in now on its 33rd year of business. Technology has offered us real-time results. We now use the POS system and our employees use the email to time-in and out of work. It has provided us tools for store efficiency. We do Facebook and blogging with our customers without having them necessarily going inside our stores for specs in our products. Internet marketing thru chat and feedback has done wonders for us,” apprized Jojo Claudio. 

“The social media network has helped our business grow as well,” concurred Ystilo Salon partner Fred Moreno. 

“Technology helps in the productivity and monitoring of all our outlets from a single location,” shared Anais Lapid. In paying tribute to Pinoy bossings, PLDT SME Nation upholds the entrepreneurial values, creativity, determination, and perseverance. 

By becoming one of the 2012 Bossings, business leaders join a prestigious roster of individuals who have been recognized as role models of business success in various fields. Winners will be featured in a 12-month multimedia campaign that will grant more exposure to their business or product. 

“We are into the youth campaign and in creating the entrepreneurial mindset. Creating an inspiring environment is what bring people up in life. The business landscape is a great equalizer in a country where educational opportunities are not that widespread. We invite the young and spirited to join the Young Entrepreneurs Summit on Sept. 23. 

The MVP Bossing Awardees and nominees have become a mentoring network of sorts amongst themselves. It's a support group they can consult on business matters anytime,” enthused Mon Lopez of Go Negosyo. 

The MVP Bossing Awardees will be chosen from a criteria that includes innovation (qualities/use of technology), profitability, importance of technology, entities that have changed lives, drive to succeed (with the risks they continually face), and social entrepreneurship. 

Last year's grand winner Cecilio Pedro employs the deaf mute in his Hapee toothpaste company. Simply submit the completed nomination forms thru email at mvpbossingawards@pldt.com.ph or hand them in at any Go Negosyo offices and/or PLDT business offices nationwide. Or you may opt to to submit the nomination forms through your PLDT SME Nation account officers. Nominations are on until Sept 30th. For more details on the MVP Bossing awards, visit the Web site www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph/bossingako or call 101-888.