MANILA, Philippines - A janitor from Catanduanes who worked extra shifts to increase his savings eventually ended up owning the gym at which he was employed.
A teacher from Tacloban who prepared kakanin for the school canteen to augment her meager income now has her own business.
These are real people who were able to improve their lives amid difficult times through the Diskarteng Tipid-Sulit values — a combination of hard work, ingenuity and perseverance.
“Tipid-sulit is all about being hardworking, ingenious or maparaan, and persevering or never giving up until you succeed,” says Perry Bayani, head of marketing at Talk ’N Text, a unit of leading mobile operator Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART). “These are three important traits that all Filipinos should adopt in order for them to rise above life’s challenges.”
Talk ’N Text celebrates its 10th anniversary by advocating Diskarteng Tipid-Sulit as a Filipino value.
“Many perceive austerity as a negative value — kuripot — but it is actually the right behavior,” argues Bayani. He points out, however, that Tipid-Sulit is saving for something worthwhile and of value.
“Efren Peñaflorida was from a well-to-do family pero nagtipid siya,” cites Bayani. “Nag-aral sa tamang diskarte. As a result, he succeeded and was able to help his community.”
To honor individuals and communities who exemplify Tipid-Sulit, Talk ’N Text has launched a nationwide search for 10 Tipid-Sulit Idols. They will be going around the country to select winners from each of the following regions: NCR, North Luzon, South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
Five individuals who thrived in spite of the economic crisis by using Diskarteng Tipid-Sulit will be awarded a cash grant of P100,000, while five communities will be awarded P200,000 each. Nominators of winning individuals and communities will also get P50,000 each.
Individuals must be nominated and endorsed by a third party to qualify, while organizations are free to directly submit their application forms and supporting documents.
Bayani says Peñaflorida is a good example of the individual level, and his Dynamic Teen Company is a good model for the Tipid-Sulit community idol. The organization solicited help from other companies to put up kariton classrooms and bring education to street kids.
Another example are the Banglos fisher folk, who rebuilt their lives after a devastating storm by making wood carvings using the driftwood that was washed down by the floods.
“When we first launched the search in 2009, we realized that there are organizations and groups who exemplified Tipid-Sulit,” relates Bayani. “For instance, there was this group from Malabon who collected metal scraps to build a boat.”
Submission of application forms is ongoing, and forms may be downloaded from www.tipidsulitpinas.com. Forms are also available and can be dropped in drop boxes at the offices of Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), the Peace and Equity Foundation (PEF), or at RMN or Radyo Natin stations nationwide. Nomination forms can also be mailed to PO Box 1224–1152 QC Central Post Office. For more information, call hotline numbers 0912-487-7777 or 0912-488-8888.
Awarding of winners will be held during the Tipid-Sulit roadshows in the following areas: Dumaguete City on June 12, Albay on June 19, San Miguel, Bulacan, on June 26, Roxas, Isabela, on July 3, Zamboanga City on July 10, and Antipolo, Rizal on July 17.