Search on for PLDT’s 2013 Bossing awardees

THE search for next year’s model small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), who achieved success in their businesses through technology, was launched yesterday at the Laguna Garden Cafe at the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City.

Called the Search for the PLDT MVP Bossing Awardee for 2013, organizers said they would expect at least 400 nominations this year from various industry segments representing every SME sector like agribusiness, manufacturing, travel and leisure, retail trade and finance and service industries.

Being the backbone of economy, PLDT is looking at the SME sector as an important sector to nurture through a partnership. And so the PLDT SME Nation was created.

The group tied up with Go Negosyo for the event.

“This year’s theme is Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon – Championing Filipino Values in Business which seeks to honor the values of the past and bring them forward as guideposts to navigate the 21st century and beyond,” said PLDT SME Nation vice president and head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

“Any homegrown business with at least 5 years in operation, a subscriber of PLDT and, just starting this year, Suncellular subscribers are among the requirements for nominees in the search,” said Gabby Cui, community consultancy head of PLDT SME Nation.

Abelarde said since the event started four years ago, 36 Pinoy Bossings were chosen and three of these awardees were CEbuanos, who are Jay Aldeguer of Islands Group in 2010, Steve Benitez of Bo’s Coffee in 2011 and Justin Uy of Profoods International Corp for this year.

Organizers will select 12 top companies among the hundred nominated comanies for the award and an awardee of the Grand MVP.

“This year we have Socorro Ramos of National Bookstore as the Grand MVP,” said Cui.

The Bossing Awards was the firm’s way to inspire entrepreneurs to achieve success in their businesses through technology, said Amil Azurin, assistant vice president and marketing head of PLDT SME Nation

“Our SMEs always ask us three questions – how can we reduce cost, maintain control and protect and expand our market share – all of these are attainable through our technologies. We want to be a strong and solid partner for their growth,” said Azurin./Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap