MANILA, Philippines – DITO Telecommunity and DITO BizBayan officially launched the DITO BizBayani Awards today at Revel at the Palace, a landmark recognition program celebrating the resilience, innovation, and nation-building spirit of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The launch was attended by government officials, private sector leaders, industry associations, and members of the media.
MSMEs account for over 99% of all registered businesses in the Philippines and employ the majority of the Filipino workforce. The DITO BizBayani Awards aims to surface and amplify their stories — recognizing that behind every thriving barangay business is a builder who deserves national recognition.
Atty. Adel A. Tamano, Commerical Officer of DITO Telecommunity, set the tone for the launch by highlighting the profound cultural and economic meaning behind the awards framework. He emphasized that true nation-building happens in the local markets, small workshops, and digital storefronts operated by everyday Filipinos.
“Today we celebrate our entrepreneurs. There is a word in Filipino that does not fully translate into English — Bayani. A bayani is not just brave. A bayani builds — not for themselves, but for something larger: for family, for community, for the nation. The most consequential builders in this country are not found in boardrooms. They are found in palengkes and small workshops. In home kitchens turned commissaries,” said Atty. Tamano. He further noted that DITO’s journey as a disruptive telecommunications challenger mirrors the experience of local business owners who dare to break boundaries, stating th atconnectivity serves as a vital equalizer that removes geographical ceilings for family enterprises across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The movement brings together an unprecedented alliance of public and private organizations. Government leaders including DTI Secretary Cristina Roque and Undersecretary Blesila Lantayona took the stage alongside private sector giants, including the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), GCash, JobStreet, DCME Holdings, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA), and the Philippine Council for Small & Medium Businesses (PCSMB).
To honor the spirit of this multi-sectoral collaboration, President Eric R. Alberto (ERA), Chief Executive Officer of DITO Telecommunity, led a ceremonial toast recognizing the shared weight and credibility brought forth by these industry anchors.
“Before we raise our glasses, I want to take a moment to recognize the people who made today possible, because this launch is not a DITO story alone. It is a story of partnership, and it deserves to be told that way… To the BizBayanis of the Philippines, the builders, the riskers, the believers, this one is for you. Ladies and gentlemen, please raise your glasses. To the DITO BizBayani Awards. To our partners. And to every Filipino entrepreneur who dares to build something worth celebrating,” Mr. Alberto shared during his welcome toast.
The DITO BizBayani Awards will officially evaluate nominees across five distinctly curated categories, reflecting a holistic framework for modern, impactful entrepreneurship:
THE FIVE AWARD CATEGORIES:
- Growth and Resilience: Recognizing businesses that have successfully navigated economic uncertainties and displayed sustainable development.
- Digital Adoption: Honoring entrepreneurs who have seamlessly integrated modern technology and electronic operations to scale their livelihoods.
- Employer Excellence: Highlighting outstanding team culture, workplace development, and compassionate people management.
- Industry Impact: Celebrating entities that serve as the anchors of local commerce and pillars of neighborhood sustainability.
- Bold Innovation: Spotlighting disruptive, forward-thinking solutions that demonstrate innovation is not exclusive to massive corporations.
Concluding the launch event, Mr. Luigi Lopa, Head of DITO Business, delivered the final call to action, formally declaring the nationwide nomination period open and inviting communities across the archipelago to share their stories of resilience.
“An awards program is only as powerful as the stories that fill it. And those stories are out there right now, in every corner of our communities. This is where the real work begins, and we need your help. I am incredibly proud to announce that nominations for the DITO BizBayani Awards are officially OPEN! Please visit our official portal, nominate a hero today, and let’s prove together that when it comes to empowering the Filipino spirit: Kaya. KAYA DITO,” Mr. Lopa stated in his closing remarks.
Nominations can be submitted directly through the official DITO BizBayani Awards online portal starting today. Filipinos nationwide are encouraged to nominate exceptional local business owners, community pioneers, or their own enterprises to showcase the unstoppable spirit of Philippine entrepreneurship.