PLDT executive vice president and head of enterprise Eric R. Alberto, GoNeggosyo founder Joey Concepcion, Mekeni Food Corp’s Prudencio and Felix Garcia, Dizon Farms’ Catherine Dizon-Posaas, Zest-OCorp.’s Alfredo Yao and wife Linda, PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan, Southville International Schools and Colleges’ Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, Ideal Vision’s Benito and Dr. Mary Chan, Seaoil Philipines Inc.’s Glenn Yu, Lifeline AAmbulance Rescue Inc.’s Michael Deakin, PLDT first vice president and head of SMENation Kat Luna-Abelarde

t1201col-tessa_1 — PLDT executive vice president and head of enterprise Eric R. Alberto, GoNegosyo founder Joey Concepcion, Mekeni Food Corp’s Prudencio and Felix Garcia, Dizon Farms’ Catherine Dizon-Posas, Zest-O Corp.’s Alfredo Yao and wife Linda, PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan, Southville International Schools and Colleges’ Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, Ideal Vision’s Benito and Dr. Mary Chan, Seaoil Philipines Inc.’s Glenn Yu, Lifeline Ambulance Rescue Inc.’s Michael Deakin, PLDT first vice president and head of SME Nation Kat Luna-Abelarde

These are times of despair; these are times of hope. These are times of hardship; these are times of triumph. These are times of failure; these are times of success.

t1201col-tessa_2 — ELEKSIS Marketing Corp. president Wilson So, Celine Group’s Mark Chan,Miss Chinatown Rolini Pineda, Rubber Plus Devt. Corp.’s Richard Tiu

The recent MVP Bossing Awards 2013 was all about celebrating hope, triumph and success. Singapore-based newscaster Rico Hizon and I were inspired to meet so many exemplary Filipino entrepreneurs, recognized as part of PLDT SME Nation and supported by Sun Business and Go Negosyo.

Alfredo Yao, the maverick founder of Zest-O Corp., took home the Grand MVP Bossing title. But among the other great nominees were Catherine Dizon-Posas of Dizon Farms; Dr. Mary Chan of Ideal Vision; Michael Deakin of Lifeline Ambulance Rescue; Felix and Prudencio Garcia of Mekeni Food Corporation; Glenn Yu of Seaoil Philippines; and Dr. Genevieve Ledesma-Tan of Southville International School and Colleges.

t1201col-tessa_19 — INQUIRER chair Marixi Prieto, PLDT big boss Manny Pangilinan, Sea Princess

Special awards were also conferred on the Gilas Pilipinas basketball team and Philip Golding of S&L Fine Foods.

This year’s theme, “Ang Gilas ng Filipino Entrepreneur,” aimed to highlight Pinoys’ distinct characteristics to succeed and thrive amid challenges. As part of its advocacy to promote nation-building, PLDT SME Nation also used the awarding night to raise funds to help the typhoon-hit areas in the Visayas, driving donations from SMEs in attendance, and other benefit activities.

‘Blocks of Hope’

t1201col-tessa_18 — GENEROUS friends. INQUIRER chair Marixi Prieto, Rosalind Wee, Sea Princess, Joey Concepcion of Go Negosyo

Through the PLDT-Smart Foundation, 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 Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Education, Philippine Red Cross, Caritas Manila, Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, Alagang Kapatid Foundation and the PLDT-Smart Foundation.

The MVP Bossing Awards was supported by Smart Communications, Meralco, Maynilad, Philex Mining, ePLDT and TV5.

t1201col-tessa_7 — ROBERT Wilson, Georgina Wilson, Eric Dee, Bea Soriano

While I was engaging with my generation of movers and shakers, my daughter Annika and her friends were enjoying free tickets to chart-topping American recording artist Kesha, thanks to PLDT Fibr. The pop star sent her legions of Manila-based fans crazy with exciting and explosive numbers during her concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Garbed in a glittery and colorful sexy suit, Kesha mirrored the array of light sticks raised in the air by her party “animals,” what she calls her loyal fans. The concert was part of her “Warrior World Tour.”

PLDT Fibr was the concert’s co-presenter, and its most loyal subscribers were given front-row seats. Gary Dujali, head of Fibr broadband, proudly told me that Fibr is PLDT Home’s most powerful broadband, with up to 100 Mbps of connectivity.

t1201col-tessa_9 — BEA Soriano, Raymond Gutierrez, Eric Dee

(Visit www.pldthome.com/fibr.)

Fave speakers

When it comes to music, my fave speakers are Bose. The sound quality is just exceptional. I enjoyed the new Bose earphones at the recent launch of Quietcomfort and Soundlink, new portable audio products designed for the mobile age.

t1201col-tessa_10 — JESS Wilson, Isabelle Daza

Ron Lukasewski, Asia-Pacific sales director for Bose Corp., told me that what sets their products apart is their focus on research and development in acoustic engineering, which has resulted in the most advanced audio technology. The new earphones offer an entirely new experience when listening to a smart device or tablet, and they include Mini Bluetooth and acoustic noise-canceling features.

It was quite a mellow afternoon, as the guests shuttled between two listening halls to experience the different products. In between, there was Chardonnay from Koonunga Hill and, for red wine lovers, shiraz from Penfolds. The Aussie wines were the perfect accompaniment to the audio demonstration.

t1201col-tessa_12 — WELLINGTON Soong, Georgina Wilson, Globe Telecom president Ernest Cu

Penfolds has been very noticeable lately. First launched in 1844, the wine was also the red of choice at the Jaguar Cars launch of the all-new Jaguar F-type at their fabulous showroom in Bonifacio Global City.

The Jaguar F-type is a two-seater sports car, with a 75-year-old bloodline that just screams regal and sexy. Yes, I know it’s hard to picture the two words together—think Diana rather than some other queen.

Even better, think of Georgina Wilson, who, as the Jaguar brand ambassador, had the task of unveiling the F-type. It wasn’t hard to see all the business execs salivating over the cat and the kitten, all to the delight of Willie Soong, the entrepreneur behind Jaguar Cars.

t1201col-tessa_15 — CHUCKIE Dreyfus (center) with Bose marketing team headed by Ramon Borja

Notable VIP guests included Trevor Lewis, charge d’ affaires of the British Embassy, Manila, and Russel Anderson, managing director of Jaguar Land Rover Asia-Pacific Importer Markets.

Relief efforts

Today seems to be a big day for Supertyphoon “Yolanda” relief efforts. Over at the Power Plant Mall in Rockwell, it is the final day of the three-day “Cook-Out to Help Out, Rebuilding Visayas” effort. Spearheaded by entrepreneur Alex Lichaytoo of Bacchus Epicerie, the event features celebrities flipping burgers, with all proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity’s rehabilitation of communities in the Visayas.

t1201col-tessa_22 — DENNIS Lustico, Rhoda Aldanese, Sea Princess, Ria Prieto

Alex donated 20,000 burgers and volunteers can buy a burger, fries and drink for just P200.

And Sunday is also Relief Sale 2.0, a designer sale of preloved items organized by charity maven Kaye Tiñga. The first Relief Sale was held a couple of weeks ago, raising P1.5 million. The second Relief Sale again features shoes, bags and accessories donated by Manila’s most fashionable, and again, all funds go to Yolanda Relief.

Relief Sale 2.0 is from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Lawton function room, Essensa Towers, Fort Bonifacio.

Indeed, if we learn to look in the right places, these are times of joy.

Follow @tessavaldes on Twitter; visit www.tessaprietovaldes.com.