Pinoy music icons Rico Blanco and Arnel Pineda are headlining the grand launch of PLDT SME Nation’s “Bossing Ako” campaign on Thursday, June 10, at the NBC Tent at the Global City in Taguig.

Both will go center stage to perform their own respective hits as well as the most awaited song at the event: “Para sa mga Bossing” the official anthem of the “Bossing Ako” campaign. The song makes a call for Filipinos to be their own bosses by starting their own businesses, especially in the SME (small to medium enterprises) sector.

“SMEs practically form the backbone of our economy, generating jobs and about 90% of the income,’’ says Kat Luna-Abelarde, PLDT Vice President and head of PLDT SME Nation.

Abelarde added that the grand launch will also present the inspiring stories of top entrepreneurs like celebrity dermatologist Dr. Vicki Belo and Regal Films matriarch Lily “Mother Lily” Monteverde. Belo and Monteverde are two of 12 top entrepreneurs that comprise the “Pinoy Bossings” who will share their stories to provide inspiration to Filipino entrepreneurs.

PLDT SME Nation’s “Bossing Ako” campaign was launched to encourage a new generation of entrepreneurs as the company’s contribution to nation-building.

The “Bossing Ako” campaign has generated initial buzz as it taps some of the country’s brightest names in the SME sector for the group of Pinoy Bossings. Among them are none other than Manny V. Pangilinan, Burger King head honcho, Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films; Jay Aldeguer of Island Souvenirs; Joey Concepcion, entrepreneurship advocate and Founding Trustee of Go Negosyo; Les Reyes of Reyes Haircutters; and Gardy Cruz of Pansit Malabon Express.

Also in the roster are Raphael and Jenni Soon of North Park; Ronald Pineda of Folded & Hung; Benjamin Liuson of The Generics Pharmacy, Darius and Carlos Hizon of Pampanga’s Best; Louie and Dulzzi Gutierrez of Silverworks; and Dr. Vicki Belo and Cristalle Henares as the mother-daughter tandem behind Belo Essentials.

For more info on what PLDT SME Nation can offer your business, you may visit www.pldtsme-nation.com.ph.

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Awarded UrbaNation at Off-The Grill, Mugen

R&B band UrbaNation recently won the R&B Group of the Year award of Empire Entertainment’s Philippine Hip-Hop Awards. UrbaNation also won in “MTV Emerge: Jeepney Music 7,” a nationwide search launched by Black Eyed Peas member Apl. d. Ap. in partnership with MTV Asia.

This June, fans and music lovers can catch UrbaNation and party with them at Off-The Grill, Timog (Thursdays) and Mugen at Metrowalk, Ortigas (Saturdays). For bookings and inquiries visit UrbaNation’s official website at www.urbanationbaby.com and be updated with the band’s gigs and activities on Facebook.

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Diva still feels bad about dad

If Diva Montelaba (1st Princess, “StarStruck Season 5”) is working so hard these days, it’s because of her maternal grandmother who is sick. It was Diva’s lola who raised her, she said.

As to her father, Diva said he now sends her text messages, saying sorry, “but I don’t text him back. I want him to know that I can make it in this world even without him.” Diva and the other “StarStruck V” winners are regularly seen in GMA-7’s Sunday show “Party Pilipinas” and in “Love Bug.”

Diva, who was named after Cebu’s patron saint and who can sing and dance equally well, has shown that she is indeed a survivor and has made Cebu proud by winning in GMA-7’s artista-search. The 17-year-old Cebuana is handled by GMA Artist Center.

She says the acting workshop provided her by GMA Artist Center is helping her a lot.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on June 9 go to Sixto “Boy” Roa, Michellen Espiritu-Suarez, Pamela A. Pacis, LA-based writer Ruben V. Nepales, Elmer Villanueva, William Pravalsamy, Vanessa Pastor, Ramon F. Lopez, Grace Pascua Urata, Prince Jose Mari Lagana, Edgar Presillas Sr., Ronian Poe and Mary Sunshine “Soeng” Ongpauco.