The heart behind NakakaLocal

MANILA, Philippines — When you picture a NakakaLocal bazaar, what comes to mind are the colorful booths, the flocks of people, and the energetic atmosphere.

This is made possible by the participating micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), guests and mall-goers who choose to support local.

Behind the NakakaLocal program is PhilSTAR Media Group (PMG)'s dedicated marketing team. They work hard to ensure the program's success.

They are there from start to finish. They support participating MSMEs every step of the way.

Among those who have seen NakakaLocal's growth from its early days to its current state are Jenalyn Sarte, marketing manager at PMG, and Kayla Rodriguez, trade and brand officer at PMG.

Beyond the hustle, NakakaLocal has contributed to their holistic growth — professionally and personally.

A fulfilling journey

For Rodriguez, NakakaLocal is one of her favorite events to work on.

"I genuinely enjoy engaging with the MSMEs and supporting local products by buying from them,” she says. “I was also able to discover many local brands that deserve more recognition both locally and globally."

Mounting NakakaLocal events can be challenging, given the scale of production.

But for Sarte, "It has also been very fulfilling to see how we have contributed to the growth and success of our MSME members' businesses."

"I'd like to think that we can successfully implement our NakakaLocal-related initiatives because we always ensure to put our heart and effort into it, because it is what our MSMEs deserve," Rodriguez adds.

With years of experience working on the program, both share some of their most memorable moments with NakakaLocal's partner MSMEs.

For Rodriguez, one memory that lingers is when MSMEs share their recent achievements.

"All of them are very appreciative, and it's honestly one of my main motivators in what I do for NakakaLocal events,” she recalls.

“It feels like our hard work and effort are all worth it whenever we hear positive feedback from them."

Sarte says one of the most rewarding aspects of the program is learning the stories behind the businesses, from the ingenuity and craftsmanship involved in creating their products to the values and panata they uphold for their communities.

"One thing that stands out among the MSMEs we have worked with is that their businesses are not solely driven by profit or personal gain," Sarte says.

"Many of them are dedicated to supporting farmers, artists, fisherfolk, senior citizens, PWDs and their local communities,” she adds.

“Their mission to empower fellow Filipinos makes their brands and work even more admirable and purposeful."

Showing up when it matters

Sarte and Rodriguez say they have gained valuable realizations while working on the initiative over the past four years.

"The initiative has made me more appreciative of homegrown businesses and more conscious of the value they bring not only to our economy, but also to our culture and identity as Filipinos," Rodriguez says.

"Filipino MSMEs value authenticity more than perfection," Sarte says.

"There have been many moments when my team and I felt exhausted, but hearing how grateful our MSMEs are for our efforts keeps us motivated and inspired to continue," she adds.

Projects like NakakaLocal play a vital role in empowering MSMEs. Rodriguez and Sarte have seen this firsthand through the years.

"Aside from sales and exposure, I'd like to think that initiatives like NakakaLocal also help strengthen confidence and connections among MSMEs,” Rodriguez says.

“It also creates opportunities for them to share their stories, connect with other entrepreneurs, and feel genuinely supported by a larger community."

Sarte adds, "One of NakakaLocal's biggest missions is also to connect MSMEs with large companies that genuinely want to support local entrepreneurs.”

“Through these partnerships, MSMEs are given new opportunities to grow, expand and thrive."

Resonating gratitude

Sarte and Rodriguez have worked on NakakaLocal since its early days. Working with partner MSMEs has been a profound experience for both of them.

And their hearts? Full of gratitude.

"Thank you for being part of our extended family throughout the years,” Sarte says. “We deeply treasure your stories and hard work, and you have inspired us in so many ways.”

“We are truly grateful for the trust you have given us in helping share and champion your stories."

Rodriguez says PMG's marketing team will continue to advance the initiative and continue building the relationships they have formed with partner MSMEs:

"We really hope to keep growing this community and create even more opportunities for our MSMEs in the future."