MANILA, Philippines — Five Filipino entrepreneurs whose businesses are making an impact in retail, education, employment, agriculture and technology have been named the inaugural winners of the DITO BizBayani Awards, putting the spotlight on the people behind some of the country’s most inspiring micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The recognition came after a 10-week nationwide search that attracted more than 500 nominations, with the field eventually narrowed to 25 finalists and five category winners. More than 4,800 public votes were also recorded during the selection process, according to reports on the awards.
The inaugural awards night was held on August 12, 2026, at the Manila Ballroom of the Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, with DITO Telecommunity conducting the program through its MSME arm, DITO BizBayan.
The initiative was organized with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), GCash, JobStreet by SEEK Philippines and other business and industry organizations.
Five entrepreneurs, five very different success stories
The awardees demonstrate how Filipino businesses can grow from relatively modest beginnings while creating jobs, supporting communities and using technology to solve real-world problems.
Bobby Adan — Prutasan ni Adan
BizBayani in Growth Excellence
Bobby Adan of Prutasan ni Adan received the Growth Excellence award, presented in partnership with the DTI.
What began as a roadside fruit stand in Cebu in 2017 eventually developed into a specialty grocery business with direct international sourcing of premium produce.
The business’ growth illustrates how a small, locally rooted enterprise can expand into a more sophisticated retail operation through persistence and strategic growth.
Felix Veroya — Ask Lex PH Academy
BizBayani in Digital Impact
Felix Veroya, founder of Ask Lex PH Academy (ALPHA), was recognized for using digital technology to expand access to education and professional development.
Founded in 2016 as a traditional training and consulting company, ALPHA shifted toward an EdTech social-enterprise model during the pandemic.
The organization has since reached more than 100,000 graduates and built a learning platform with over 35,000 registered users, according to reports.
Anna Magalona-Go — But First, Coffee
BizBayani in Employer Excellence
Anna Magalona-Go of But First, Coffee took home the Employer Excellence award, presented with JobStreet.
The coffee business started in 2020 as a one-person venture during the pandemic before expanding into a larger franchise operation.
It now has a corporate team of around 150 to 200 employees, while its nationwide franchise network has generated more than 1,000 jobs, according to reports.
Her story also highlights a broader role of MSMEs in the Philippine economy: beyond generating revenue, successful small businesses can become significant sources of employment.
Ariestelo Asilo — Varacco
BizBayani in Industry Impact
Ariestelo Asilo of Varacco was recognized for helping strengthen the country’s coffee industry while working directly with farming communities.
Through Varacco’s Coffee Based Farming Entrepreneurship Engagement Program, the company supports approximately 100 coffee farmers across seven communities and produces around 100 tons of coffee annually.
Varacco is also developing what reports describe as Mindanao’s first certified mother tree garden for the coffee industry.
The recognition places a spotlight not only on the business itself but also on the farmers and communities connected to its supply chain.
Rio Pomer — St. Pio
BizBayani in Innovation
Rio Pomer of St. Pio received the Innovation award, presented in partnership with the Philippine AI Business Association.
Pomer developed the Bridges Autism App, an AI-powered platform designed to bring together therapy tools, progress tracking and community support for Filipino families raising children with autism.
The award reflects one of the central themes of the BizBayani program: innovation does not have to come from a giant technology company. It can also emerge from entrepreneurs responding to problems they see in their own communities.
Why the awards matter to Philippine business
The five winners represent different industries, but their stories point to the same reality: MSMEs remain a critical part of the Philippine economy.
DTI figures cited by multiple reports indicate that MSMEs account for 99.63% of registered businesses in the Philippines and 65.1% of total employment.
That makes programs recognizing entrepreneurs particularly significant because the sector encompasses businesses ranging from neighborhood enterprises and family-run operations to technology companies and growing franchise networks.
The DITO BizBayani Awards were launched in June with five award categories focused on growth and resilience, digital adoption, employer excellence, industry impact and bold innovation.
The final awards reflected those themes through the categories of Growth Excellence, Digital Impact, Employer Excellence, Industry Impact and Innovation.
More than just a trophy
DITO said the awards are intended to become an ongoing program rather than a one-time recognition.
Gabby Cui, head of MSME at DITO BizBayan, said the initiative is intended to support entrepreneurs beyond the awards ceremony by helping provide programs, tools and connectivity that can enable businesses to grow.
The winners also received trophies handcrafted by artisans from Tugaya, Lanao del Sur. The trophies were made from Basudan wood, shaped in the form of the Sarimanok and decorated with mother-of-pearl—an artistic choice intended to reflect Filipino creativity and resilience.
With five winners selected from a nationwide pool of more than 500 nominations, the inaugural DITO BizBayani Awards ultimately delivered a message that goes beyond business recognition: some of the country’s most compelling success stories are being built far from the boardrooms of major corporations.
From a fruit stand in Cebu and coffee farms in Mindanao to an EdTech platform and an AI-powered autism application, these entrepreneurs show how Filipino MSMEs can turn small beginnings into businesses with a much bigger impact.
And if the inaugural awards are any indication, the next wave of Filipino business success stories may already be taking shape in communities across the country.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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