In partnership with Go Negosyo, SMART Enterprise and Sun Business, PLDT SME Nation recently named family-owned business and snack manufacturer Liwayway Marketing Corp. as the Grand MVP Bossing, leading the roster of new ‘Bossings’ for next year.

More popularly known for their product Oishi, Liwayway Marketing Corporation has grown from a cornstarch repacking business to a globally recognized brand. Deserving to be hailed as a Grand MVP Bossing, Carlos Chan has been described by his peers and colleagues as a hardworking, innovative and resilient Bossing.

PLDT Chairman, Manny V. Pangilinan, PLDT Executive Vice President and ePLDT President and CEO, Eric Alberto, Senator and 2011 Bossing Bam Aquino, 2013 Grand MVP  Bossing Cecilio Pedro and 2014 Grand MVP  Bossing Amb. Alfredo Yao awarded this year’s Grand Bossing Awardee.

Receiving his award, Chan was not short on words of gratitude recognizing the help he has had from his family and his team in the company.

“I wish to share this award with my wife Priscilla and my children who equally deserve this for accepting the many challenges in growing the business,” said Chan after accepting the Grand MVP Bossing trophy.

“I also share this award with the employees of Liwayway whose dedication, trustworthiness, loyalty and hardwork contributed to the success of Liwayway.”

Bannering the group’s advocacy in supporting the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit, other winners in the MVP Bossing Awards were Johnny Chan of Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, Ricky Reyes of Gandang Ricky Reyes Salons, Julia Gandionco of Julie’s Bakeshop, Atty. Arthur Tugade of Perry’s Group,  Ferdie Marañon of Sagrex Corporation, Alice Eduardo of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation, Laura Verallo De Bertotto of VMV Hypoallergenics, and Esther and Gaspar Vibal of Vibal Publishing Group.

Already on its fifth year, the MVP Bossing Awards is an annual event considered as the biggest search for Filipino entrepreneurs who embody the spirit of perseverance and who have achieved significant success in their businesses through technology. The event is also done in line with PLDT SME Nation’s objective of promoting Filipino SMEs and igniting the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation.

“This is what the MVP Bossing Awards is all about - to recognize, honor and celebrate our very best examples of the Filipino Entrepreneur. We hope these awards will serve as a continuing inspiration towards more Filipino Bossings and drive many of our businessmen and women to adopt their winning ways and values, and innovative approaches to success,” said PLDT Executive Vice President and ePLDT President and CEO  Eric R. Alberto.

Relating to this year’s theme of “Ready for the World”, the MVP Bossing Awards followed a stringent process of selecting successful entrepreneurs who have brought their businesses to a global playing field. Receiving more than two hundred submissions during the 2-month nomination process, nominees were screened and judged based on innovativeness, values, creativity in using technology, and readiness for competition in the upcoming ASEAN Economic Integration.

Also receiving a special award that night was International Filipino Recording Artist, Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas. In recognition for his work with young aspiring musicians and artists through the APL De AP foundation, the PLDT-Smart Foundation presented him with the People Saving the Future Award.

The winners of the annual MVP Bossing Awards will serve as PLDT SME Nation’s role models in their on-going campaign for promoting entrepreneurship in the country. They and their success stories will serve as aspirational goals for the country’s thriving SMEs in facing challenges in their respective industries and in becoming more globally competitive.