DITO Telecommunity, through its dedicated micro, small, and medium enterprise arm DITO BizBayan, celebrated the triumphs of exceptional Filipino entrepreneurs at the inaugural DITO BizBayani Awards Night. Held at the Manila Ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel in Newport World Resorts on Wednesday night, the event marked the culmination of an intensive ten-week search across the country to identify and honor the nation’s most inspiring business owners. To realize this grand initiative, DITO partnered with key government agencies and industry leaders, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), GCash, Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, the Philippine Council for Small and Medium Businesses, the Philippine Franchise Association, the Philippine Retailers Association, DCME Holdings, and the Philippine AI Business Association.

The search drew over 500 nominations nationwide, which were carefully evaluated to establish a Top 25 shortlist before ultimately selecting five category awardees. Micro, small, and medium enterprises represent the backbone of the Philippine economy, as DTI data shows they account for 99.63% of all registered local businesses and generate 65.1% of national employment. The DITO BizBayani Awards were specifically created to highlight the real human stories and faces behind these massive economic figures. During his welcome address, Atty. Adel Tamano, Chief Revenue Officer of DITO Telecommunity, emphasized the deep conviction of local builders by stating, “These five winners, and the twenty-five finalists they represent, are proof of something we’ve believed since DITO entered this market: that the boldest builders in this country are not always the ones with the most resources, but the ones with the most conviction.”

The five awardees highlighted diverse sectors of innovation and perseverance. Bobby Adan of Prutasan ni Adan received the BizBayani in Growth Excellence Award presented with DTI, transforming a 2017 roadside fruit stand in Cebu into a specialty grocery flagship with eight-digit monthly sales and direct international sourcing. Felix Veroya of Ask Lex PH Academy won the BizBayani in Digital Impact Award with GCash, pivoting his 2016 traditional consulting firm into an EdTech social enterprise during the pandemic that now serves over 100,000 graduates. Anna Magalona-Go of But First, Coffee took home the BizBayani in Employer Excellence Award with Jobstreet, scaling a 2020 solo startup into a corporate team of 150 to 200 employees and generating over 1,000 jobs through franchising. Ariestelo Asilo of Varacco earned the BizBayani in Industry Impact Award with PCCI, supporting 100 coffee farmers across seven communities, producing about 100 tons annually, and developing Mindanao’s first certified mother tree garden. Finally, Rio Pomer of St. Pio won the BizBayani in Innovations Award with PAIBA for the Bridges Autism App, an AI platform combining therapy tools, progress tracking, and community support for families.

Each honoree was presented with a custom trophy handcrafted by artisans from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur. Carved meticulously from Basudan wood, shaped in the form of the legendary Sarimanok, and inlaid with mother of pearl, the physical awards were designed to symbolize the deep resilience and boundless creativity of Filipino entrepreneurs. DITO executives reaffirmed that the initiative extends well beyond a single evening of accolades, viewing it as a long-term pledge to strengthen the local business ecosystem through technology and strategic support.

Highlighting the long-term mission of the project, Gabby Cui, Head of MSME at DITO BizBayan, shared, “The BizBayani Awards were never meant to be a one-time celebration. They are a reflection of what we see every day in our work with MSMEs, entrepreneurs who innovate not because it’s trendy, but because their communities need them to.” He further reinforced this commitment to the ecosystem by adding, “Our commitment doesn’t end when the trophies are handed out; it’s what pushes us to keep building programs, tools, and connectivity that help the next Bobby, the next Anna, the next Rio get their shot.”

Beyond the five main trophy recipients, DITO emphasized that the ultimate success of the program is reflected in the full roster of 25 finalists from various regions. These businesses spanned diverse environments, ranging from traditional public markets and home kitchens to digital storefronts and agricultural communities. As the inaugural DITO BizBayani Awards successfully concluded, the initiative demonstrated a strong commitment to the idea that robust connectivity, meaningful recognition, and active collaboration between the private sector and government can empower the smallest enterprises to become the country’s future leaders and primary employers.