Five Filipino entrepreneurs were recognized as the first winners of the DITO BizBayani Awards, highlighting how small businesses are using technology, new ideas, and community support to grow.
DITO Telecommunity held the inaugural awards night Wednesday at the Manila Ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts. The event capped a 10-week nationwide search conducted with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), GCash, Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, and other business groups.
The five winners were selected from 25 finalists, which were narrowed down from more than 500 nominations nationwide.
MSMEs make up 99.63 percent of registered businesses in the Philippines and account for 65.1 percent of total employment, according to DTI. The awards were created to recognize entrepreneurs behind those businesses.
“These five winners, and the 25 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,” said Atty. Adel Tamano, chief revenue officer of DITO Telecommunity.
Bobby Adan of Prutasan ni Adan won the BizBayani in Growth Excellence Award, presented with DTI. His business started as a roadside fruit stand in Cebu in 2017 and has grown into a specialty grocery store with eight-digit monthly sales and direct international sourcing of premium produce.
Felix Veroya of Ask Lex PH Academy (ALPHA) received the BizBayani in Digital Impact Award, presented with GCash. Founded in 2016 as a training and consulting firm, ALPHA shifted to an education technology social enterprise during the pandemic. It has since served more than 100,000 graduates and has more than 35,000 registered users.
Anna Magalona-Go of But First, Coffee won the BizBayani in Employer Excellence Award, presented with Jobstreet. The business began in 2020 as a one-person startup during the pandemic and has grown to a corporate team of 150 to 200 employees. Its franchise network has generated more than 1,000 jobs.
Ariestelo Asilo of Varacco received the BizBayani in Industry Impact Award, presented with PCCI. Its coffee farming program supports 100 farmers across seven communities, produces about 100 tons of coffee each year, and is developing Mindanao’s first certified mother tree garden for the industry.
Rio Pomer of St. Pio won the BizBayani in Innovations Award, presented with the Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA), for the Bridges Autism App. The AI-powered platform brings together therapy tools, progress tracking, and community support for Filipino families raising children with autism.
Each winner received a trophy handcrafted by artisans from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur. The trophy is made from Basudan wood, shaped like a Sarimanok, and decorated with mother-of-pearl.
DITO said the awards are intended to become an ongoing program.
“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,” said Gabby Cui, head of MSME at DITO BizBayan. “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.”
