Zest-O Chief tops MVP Bossing Awards

One of the country’s most celebrated nationwide searches for top SMEs recently hailed new MVP Bossing awardees as PLDT SME Nation continues the tradition of recognizing exemplary Filipino entrepreneurs across the country.

Together with Sun Business and Go Negosyo, PLDT SME Nation has awarded Alfredo Yao of Zest-O Corporation with the Grand MVP Bossing title leading this year’s set of ‘Bossings’ during the awarding night held at the NBC tent in Bonifacio Global City.

Completing this year’s roster of ‘Bossings’ are Catherine Dizon-Posas of Dizon Farms, Dr. Mary Chan of Ideal Vision, Michael Deakin of Lifeline Ambulance Rescue Inc., Felix and Prudencio Garcia of Mekeni Food Corporation, Glenn Yu of Seaoil Philippines Inc. and Dr. Genevieve Ledesma-Tan of Southville International School and Colleges. Special awards were also conferred to the Gilas Pilipinas Basketball Team and Philip Golding of S&L Fine Foods Inc.

This year’s theme, “Ang Gilas ng Filipino Entrepreneur” aims to highlight the Filipinos’ distinct characteristics to succeed and thrive amid challenges.

As part of its advocacy to nation-building, PLDT SME Nation also shared the awarding night to raise funds to help the typhoon-hit areas in Visayas, driving donations from SMEs in attendance, and other fund-raising activities.

“The best traits of the Filipino always shine through during these difficult and challenging times. As we continue to celebrate the ‘Gilas’ of the Filipino, we also aim to recognize and honor the resiliency of our countrymen in these trying times” said PLDT First Vice President and Head of PLDT SME Nation Kat Luna-Abelarde.

“The Filipino spirit of Bayanihan continues to live and is well pronounced today, as we witness many of our kababayans contribute their time, talents and resources to make sure that our countrymen get relief in the soonest time possible. Our Bossings, along with PLDT, have dedicated this evening for the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.”

Through the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF), PLDT SME Nation and the SMEs pledged to contribute funds to help rebuild the affected areas of the typhoon through “Blocks of Hope.” People can also send in their contributions via SMS (through local and international carrier networks) and telegraphic transfers through www.help.ph where proceeds will support immediate relief efforts and shelter and resettlement organized by DSWD, DepEd, Philippine Red Cross, Caritas Manila, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, Alagang Kapatid Foundation and the PLDT-Smart Foundation.

Bossings throughout the years have also partnered with PLDT SME Nation to raise funds and awareness on how to help the victims of the recent calamities such as the shirt drive of Jay Aldeguer’s Cebu-based Islands Souvenirs.

Aside from honoring local businesses, the MVP Bossing Awards was also part of the international celebration of Global Entrepreneurship week which started on November 18 until November 24. This is the biggest international celebration of entrepreneurship with over 35,000 events marking the festivities by more than a hundred countries.

The MVP Bossing Awards was also made possible with the support of Smart Communications, Meralco, Maynilad, Philex Mining Corporation, TV5, ePLDT, and Manila North Tollways Corporation.