SM for MSMEs' Wall of Champions commemorates the Filipino entrepreneurial spirit

(L-R): Jam Puentespina from Malagos Chocolate (the Medium Enterprise Champion), Carmela Prado from Kawayan Collective (the Small Enterprise Champion), Teresa Santiano from Tropical

In a vibrant celebration of Filipino entrepreneurship, SM Supermalls proudly launched the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) Champions' Wall, a visual tribute to the tenacity, devotion, and greatness of the country's 17,000 MSMEs.  The spectacular event, held at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA), brought together notable visitors to recognize the 2024 Presidential Awardees for MSMEs and their vital contributions to the nation's commercial scene.

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A symbol of innovation and perseverance

The MSME Champions' Wall is a symbol of ingenuity and tenacity, representing the path of Filipino entrepreneurs who continue to grow despite obstacles.  The installation, created as a mix of art and storytelling, highlights the various industries and success stories that comprise the MSME sector. 

In the photo: The 2024 Presidential Awardees for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Kawayan Collective, Hey Success PH, Ai-She Footwear Fashion, Nelly Coffee and Tablea, Malagos Chocolate, Tropical Palm Herb Manufacturing, and Jojie’s Bakeshop, with SM Supermalls Executive Vice President for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin, Senior Assistant Vice President (SAVP) for Marketing – MSMEs Pats Dy, AVP for MSMEs Royston Cabunag, and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Division Chief Cynthia Dela Cruz

Honoring the 2024 Presidential Awardees

Key members from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), SM Supermalls executives, and the private sector attended the event, as did the prestigious recipients.  In his opening remarks, Jonjon San Agustin, Executive Vice President for Marketing at SM Supermalls, underlined the importance of creating platforms for MSMEs to develop, saying, “This wall is more than just an installation; it reflects the relentless spirit of Filipino entrepreneurs who drive economic growth and inspire innovation.”

The Medium Enterprise Awardee, Malagos Chocolate, offers award-winning Philippine-grown cacao.

The event's centerpiece was the formal acknowledgment of the 2024 Presidential Awardees for MSMEs, individuals, and enterprises who have proven exceptional performance, innovation, and community impact.  Each awardee described their experience, emphasizing the critical role that MSMEs play in job creation, industry expansion, and national development.

The small enterprise finalist, Aishe Fashion, crafts locally sourced espadrilles, empowering Persons with Disabilities (PWD) artisans.

SM Supermalls' commitment to MSME growth

SM Supermalls remains committed to promoting local businesses through initiatives like the SM for MSMEs Program, which offers entrepreneurs increased market prospects, business support, and national recognition. 

With this effort, SM Supermalls strengthens its support for MSMEs, demonstrating its commitment to being a true partner on their path to success.  The MSME Champions' Wall, which rises towering inside SM MOA, will serve as a permanent reminder of Filipino businesses' resilience, enthusiasm, and excellence.

For MSMEs who wish to join the program, visit msme.smsupermalls.com.

About SM Supermalls

SM Supermalls, owned by SM Prime Holdings, is the leading mall developer and operator in the Philippines. As a staunch advocate for MSMEs, SM Supermalls is dedicated to helping Filipino entrepreneurs succeed. Join our thriving marketplace across 80+ malls nationwide. Visit www.smsupermalls.com/sm-for-msmes/ to download your MSME application or email us at customercare@smsupermalls.com with your most innovative product and preferred location. Don't miss this opportunity to grow your business with SM Supermalls today!

UnionBank UPAY for MSME: Helping level the playing field for the country’s growing number of MSMEs

Union Bank of the Philippines 12th TalkTales: Critical Role of DigitizingPayments in Fast Evolving Market

Filipinos are now utilizing digital payments more than ever. Last month, the Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported that digital payments made up 20.1 percent of all transactions in 2020, more than double the figure from two years ago of 10 percent. This strong momentum is creating opportunities particularly for enterprising Filipinos who engage in e-commerce.

To help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the country capitalize on this growing trend, Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), the region’s digital trailblazer and the country’s foremost bank for MSMEs, has launched a groundbreaking feature that will make e-payments easier and secure not only for customers but also for MSMEs—the new UPAY for MSME.

This was unveiled at the Bank's 12th E-TalkTales media event, wherein UnionBank Vice President and MSME Segment Head Jaypee Soliman, and UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head Gerry Austria led discussions on the critical role of digitizing payments in the country's fast evolving market.

Soliman began the discussions by talking about the state of digital payments in the country, citing the significant growth in the number of Filipinos who utilize these payment solutions. This is an indication that Filipinos are now more open to the idea of becoming a cash-lite society.

Union Bank of the Philippines 12th TalkTales: Critical Role of DigitizingPayments in Fast Evolving Market

Union Bank of the Philippines 12th TalkTales: Critical Role of DigitizingPayments in Fast Evolving Market

Union Bank of the Philippines 12th TalkTales: Critical Role of DigitizingPayments in Fast Evolving Market

Union Bank of the Philippines 12th TalkTales: Critical Role of DigitizingPayments in Fast Evolving Market

“This shows how the consumers are now transacting digitally. They are ready. They are there. The number of Filipinos having e-wallets and bank accounts continue to grow. But the question is, are the MSMEs ready to accept digital payments?"

This is where UPAY comes in. UPAY is a groundbreaking digital payments solution designed to make acceptance of multiple payment options accessible to MSMEs. It offers a fully integrated, single platform payment collection complete with other features that can make inbound payments easier for entrepreneurs, including the option to generate payment links with multiple collection channels, and the option to generate InstaPay QRPH for digital and physical channels.

"UPAY for MSMEs is a payment gateway that is embedded in our MSME Business Banking App. Businesses of all sizes and types now have the power to generate payment links, request payments, send it to their customers and provide multiple payment options, all these reconciled and credited to a single UnionBank account." ~Jaypee Soliman, UnionBank Vice President and MSME Segment Head

Union Bank of the Philippines 12th TalkTales: Critical Role of DigitizingPayments in Fast Evolving Market

What makes UPAY convenient for accepting payments is that customers can choose their preferred payment channel either via Unionbank Online, InstaPay, Other Digital Wallets, Credit/Debit Cards and even over-the-counter through UnionBank’s expansive network of partner channels nationwide.

"When we conceptualized UPAY for MSMEs, we wanted to do away with all the different hassles that the merchant is experiencing to set up his payments, one of which is having to connect to a point-of-sale system, having to have different devices, having to have to download different apps. Second, it's the efficiency in doing business. You don't need to be in your physical store to actually have a customer pay you. You can actually be vacationing somewhere else and someone wants to buy a product which they saw through your post on Instagram or Facebook. You can actually just create a payment link and send it to that customer, so it's very convenient for both the merchant and the customer." ~Gerry Austria, UnionBank Merchant Acquiring and Payment Gateway Head 

Through the new feature, UnionBank wants to level the playing field for MSMEs by making the feature accessible to them, which was previously only available to the bigger merchants as part of enterprise platforms that are too technologically demanding and expensive for smaller players.

For more information about the company and this article, please visit

www.unionbankph.com/msme/upay.