PLDT-SME Nation's Bossing Ako: Inspiring Filipino entrepreneurs

MANILA, Philippines - PLDT-SME Nation is going all out in serving the nation’s small-and-medium entrepreneurs (SME) through its massive campaign that aims to ignite Pinoy ingenuity for business with “Bossing Ako.” The “Bossing Ako’ campaign aims to encourage more Filipinos to strive to become their own boss by becoming entrepreneurs. It also seeks to inspire Filipino small-to-medium scale entrepreneurs to continue striving for success and courageously meet the challenges of growing their business.

“We are on a nationwide campaign to encourage a new generation of Filipino entrepreneurs. The Philippines needs more entrepreneurs in order to ensure our economic future. Today, about 90 percent of income in the Philippine economy is generated by SMEs. As we move forward into the 21st century, we’ll need more SMEs to provide more jobs, more income and more purchasing power,” says PLDT-SME Nation Vice President and Head Kat Luna-Abelarde.

The nationwide campaign was kicked off with the launch of the song “Para sa mga Bossing” performed by OPM rock music icon Rico Blanco collaborating with Journey lead vocalist Arnel Pineda. The song’s release introduces a new anthem and rallying cry for Filipino entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs-to-be: “Ang asenso maaabot/Sa bagsik nitong prinsipyo/Ang talino’t pagsisikap/Ibubuhos sa negosyo/Bossing ako/Aking tagumpay/Sa ‘kin nakasalalay…”

SME ambassadors

Apart from the launch of the “Para sa mga Bossing” anthem, PLDT-SME Nation has a parallel effort that focuses on icons of Pinoy entrepreneurship. This effort focuses on the success stories of these SME icons—to provide models, inspiration and even wisdom to SMEs and help them succeed just as well.

These SME icons are designated as “Pinoy Bossings” and include: Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films for starting from SME into a pillar of the Filipino film industry; Jay Aldeguer of Island Souvenirs for promoting his passion and love for the country through his tourism souvenirs business; Joey Concepcion, entrepreneurship advocate and Founding Trustee of Go Negosyo; and PLDT Chair Manny V. Pangilinan as the ultimate bossing.

Also representing the ‘Bossing Ako’ movement are Les Reyes of Reyes HairCutters, Gardy Cruz of Pancit Malabon Express; Raphael and Jenni Soon of North Park, Ronald Pineda of Folded & Hung; Benjamin Liuson of The Generics Pharmacy, Darius and Carlos Hizon of Pampanga’s Best; Louie Gutierrez and Dulzzi Gutierrez of Silverworks; and Vicki Belo and Cristalle Henares as the mother-daughter tandem for beauty and medical practice.

“The entrepreneurs we tapped for this campaign are all great examples of SMEs that others could look up to for inspiration. The selection is both diverse and of top-notch quality, representing various business industries in their success stories,” says PLDT-SME Nation Marketing Head Amil Azurin.

With preparations on-hand in wrapping up the first phase of the campaign with the release of the song and the unveiling of the 12 SME ambassadors, a big launch is set to take off by mid-June; followed by a grand celebration of the “MVP Bossing Ako Awards Night,” named in honor of PLDT’s Chair Manny V. Pangilinan by October in partnership with Go Negosyo.

For more info on what PLDT-SME Nation can offer your business, you may call 101-888 or visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.