MANILA, Philippines - Micro-entrepreneurs have long been an unrecognized lot. Many people do not realize the significant role that these very small businesses have played—and continue to play—in enlivening the country’s commerce and industry.
Unbeknownst to many, some of today’s tycoons and business stalwarts started out as micro-entrepreneurs themselves before becoming owners of small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and later becoming heads of corporations that provide jobs and income to millions of Filipinos.
With this in mind, Directories Philippines Corp. (DPC) sought to honor these micro-entrepreneurs—such as those in the sari-sari store; the talipapa, and the neighborhood parlor—through the 23rd edition of the annual Visual Art National Competition that it sponsors, alongside the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). The theme of this year’s contest is: “Tribute to the Filipino Micro-Entrepreneur.”
The PLDT-DPC Visual Art National Competition encourages artists from campuses across the country to come up with art pieces that best represent its theme for the year. The winning entry will be featured on the cover of the PLDT-DPC Metro Manila telephone directory for the following year.
Serving as the backbone of the country’s economy
Micro-entrepreneurs are those individuals who run small businesses that are usually unregistered and provide employment to no more than a handful of (often unpaid) members of a poor household.
However small their enterprises, they have contributed immensely to alleviating poverty and even to promoting holistic social transformation by meeting the economic and physiological needs of poor families. Modest earnings make it possible for them to send their children to school, meet their basic medical needs, and even contribute to their own community’s development.
“These micro enterprises serve as the backbone of the country’s economy in some way,” says Dennis Ancheta, DPC Client Relations and Fulfillment Manager. “Through hard and honest work, micro-entrepreneurs are able to sustain their basic needs.”
The platform for small businesses to market their products and services
“It has always been DPC’s role to serve as the platform for businesses—big or small—and consumers to come together,” says Ancheta. “This is why micro-entrepreneurship is something that is very close to our hearts. It helps us in our mission to develop the country’s marketplace.”
The Yellow Pages has in fact served as the partners of businesses that are not capable of financing large-scale advertising or publicity. It brings their products and services to the attention of a broad market.
“As you may observe, these small businesses continue to thrive despite the economic crises that befall us.” concludes Ancheta. “And through this year’s Visual Arts Competition, we give them the honor and recognition that they so rightly deserve.”