PLDT SME Nation honors 2013 Bossings

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT SME Nation announced the 12 stellar business leaders worthy of the coveted title, “Bossing”. At the much-anticipated 3rd MVP Bossing Awards held at The NBC Tent at The Fort last Nov. 27, PLDT SME Nation honored these outstanding entrepreneurs representing a wide range of industries.

The 2013 Bossings

Named the Grand MVP Bossing of 2013, Bernie Liu heads Golden ABC, Inc. a top retailer of hot clothing brands including Penshoppe that is seeing expansion in Indonesia, besides the United Arab Emirates.

Clarita Leelin Go and Milagros Leelin Yee of Goldilocks received their well-deserved award for building this iconic food brand catering to Filipinos here and abroad. Mariano Manas Jr. of Hen Lin for creating the “home of authentic Asian goodness” in the country, serving everyone’s favorites such as siomai.

Niño Caruncho of Mr. Quickie bagged one of the 12 spots in this year’s MVP Bossings for professionalizing the shoe and bag repair industry through his trusted brand. Dr. Abraham Pascual of Pascual Laboratories was honored for his years of improving the Filipino’s access to healthcare by manufacturing more than 300 branded and generic drugs, including Oracare and ImmuVit. Willy Sy of the Primer Group of Companies made his name in distributing global brands such as Jansport, High Sierra, Sanuk, and FitFlop through their stores which include Bratpack, Res | Toe | Run, and The Travel Club.

Myrna Yao of Richwell Trading Corp. was honored as distributor of branded, top-selling kids’ toy brands such as Barbie, Fisher-Price, and Hot Wheels. Marvin Agustin of Sumo Sam was recognized for revitalizing and popularizing traditional Japanese cuisine with a Western twist through its branches in leading malls. Natividad Yap-Cheng of Uratex brought home her trophy in recognition of her company’s unbeatable high-quality foam mattresses.

Johnny Hernandez of Victory Liner made it to the list with his company’s reliable, long-running bus line serving the nation. Rosalind Wee of W Group Inc.’s Marine Resources Development Corp. was recognized as the leader in providing carrageenan-based binders and stabilizers to the food industry. William Belo of Wilcon Depot heads this pioneering provider of finishing materials for the building industry.

Special Awards were also presented to individuals who’ve made significant contributions to nation-building through their respective fields. Team Manila Lifestyle’s Mon Punzalan and Jowee Alviar and Kings of Tomorrow’s Erik Cua were recognized as Youth Entrepreneurs who have reached success early in their careers.

The Award for Arts Development went to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab of The School of Ryan Cayabyab. Ray Gapuz of R.A. Gapuz Review Center was given the Award for Education. The Award for Sports Development was presented to top coach Chot Reyes, while the Award for Social Entrepreneurship honored Fr. Columbano Adag of the Monastery of Transfiguration.

These fields coincide with the advocacies of PLDT’s foundations. PhilPOP MusicFest Foundation, Inc. advocates Filipino music by preserving musical gems of the rural areas and supporting Filipino songwriters. GabayGuro pays tribute to teachers throughout the nation by offering them scholarships, trainings, broadbanding, computerization, livelihood and housing. MVP Sports Foundation, Inc. aims to develop a winning culture through sports by teaming up with eight national sports associations representing both grassroots and elite programs, while the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) takes the lead in wide-ranging CSR programs that uplift the quality of life of Filipinos.

Congratulating the winners of the night were PLDT’s Big Bossings, PLDT and SMART Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, PLDT president and CEO Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT executive vice president and head of Enterprise, International and Carrier Business Eric R. Alberto, and PLDT SME Nation VP and head Kat Luna-Abelarde. After being regaled by Filipino hits sung by Zsa Zsa Padilla, Anton Posadas, Champ Lui Pio, to name a few, the MVP Bossings of 2013 brought home trophies designed by Filipino designer and entrepreneur, Kenneth Cobonpue. The event capped a year-long search for the country’s top business leaders — now role models for the nation’s aspiring entrepreneurs.