DITO Telecommunity has recognized five Filipino entrepreneurs at the inaugural DITO BizBayani Awards, following a ten-week nationwide search that drew more than 500 nominations from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Held on August 12 at the Manila Marriott Hotel in Newport World Resorts, the awards program narrowed the nominees to a Top 25 shortlist before selecting five winners across growth, digitalization, employment, industry impact, and innovation.
The program was organized by DITO BizBayan in partnership with government and industry groups, including the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), GCash, Jobstreet by SEEK Philippines, and other MSME organizations.
Five entrepreneurs recognized across key MSME categories
The inaugural BizBayani winners represent businesses spanning specialty retail, education, coffee farming, and AI-powered technology.
Bobby Adan — Prutasan ni Adan
Bobby Adan of Prutasan ni Adan received the BizBayani in Growth Excellence Award, presented in partnership with DTI.
What started as a roadside fruit stand in Cebu in 2017 has grown into a specialty grocery business with eight-digit monthly sales and direct international sourcing of premium produce.
Felix Veroya — Ask Lex PH Academy
Felix Veroya of Ask Lex PH Academy (ALPHA) won the BizBayani in Digital Impact Award, presented with GCash.
Founded in 2016 as a training and consulting firm, ALPHA shifted toward an EdTech social enterprise during the pandemic. The platform has since served more than 100,000 graduates and has more than 35,000 registered users.
Anna Magalona-Go — But First, Coffee
Anna Magalona-Go of But First, Coffee took home the BizBayani in Employer Excellence Award, presented with Jobstreet.
The coffee brand started in 2020 as a one-person business during the pandemic before expanding into a corporate team of 150 to 200 employees. Its franchise network has also generated more than 1,000 jobs nationwide.
Ariestelo Asilo — Varacco
Ariestelo Asilo of Varacco received the BizBayani in Industry Impact Award, presented with PCCI.
Through its Coffee Based Farming Entrepreneurship Engagement Program, Varacco works with 100 coffee farmers across seven communities and produces roughly 100 tons of coffee annually.
The company is also developing what DITO describes as Mindanao’s first certified mother tree garden for the coffee industry.
Rio Pomer — St. Pio
Rio Pomer of St. Pio won the BizBayani in Innovations Award, presented with the Philippine AI Business Association (PAIBA).
Pomer developed the Bridges Autism App after engaging with Filipino families raising children with autism. The AI-powered platform combines therapy tools, progress tracking, and community support.
Awards highlight the role of MSMEs in the Philippine economy
According to DTI figures cited by DITO, MSMEs account for 99.63% of registered businesses in the Philippines and contribute 65.1% of total employment.
The BizBayani Awards were created to put individual entrepreneurs behind those numbers in the spotlight, recognizing businesses that have expanded beyond their original operations while contributing to their communities and industries.
“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.
The program also recognizes the broader group of 25 finalists, which DITO said represents businesses operating across different parts of the MSME economy, from traditional markets and home-based businesses to digital enterprises and agricultural communities.
BizBayani program aims to continue beyond inaugural awards
DITO said the BizBayani Awards are intended to become an ongoing program rather than a one-time recognition event.
“Our commitment doesn’t end when the trophies are handed out,” said Gabby Cui, Head of MSME at DITO BizBayan, pointing to the company’s plans to continue developing programs, tools, and connectivity aimed at supporting entrepreneurs.
Each of the five winners also received a handcrafted trophy made by artisans from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur. The award was carved from Basudan wood, shaped after the Sarimanok, and finished with mother-of-pearl inlay.
For its inaugural edition, the DITO BizBayani Awards put the focus on five businesses while highlighting a much larger MSME sector that continues to play a central role in employment, innovation, and economic activity across the Philippines.
