MANILA, Philippines — Ferdilyn Rivas Sta. Maria runs a barbecue stall in Pandacan, but until recently the internet was just another thing she struggled to understand.
She learned to cook, manage orders, and keep customers happy. Posting online didn’t feel worth the hassle. Then she joined the Digital Entrepreneurship Masterclass in Sta. Mesa, a session run by DSWD-NCR under its Sustainable Livelihood Program, with PLDT and Smart providing the modules.
The lessons were simple but practical. Use your phone to shoot product photos. Build posts that don’t look like ads. Secure your accounts so one bad hack doesn’t wipe out your customer list.
Sta. Maria’s main takeaway: consistency matters. She now plans to post regularly and even trained her daughter to help manage content.
The initiative belongs to PLDT and Smart’s #KonektedForLivelihoods program. It targets exactly the people who need it most: livelihood beneficiaries with capital in hand but marketing skills in short supply.
“For many small entrepreneurs, going online can feel overwhelming at first,” said Stephanie V. Orlino, AVP and head of Stakeholder Engagement at PLDT and Smart. “Through initiatives like these, we hope to help communities build the skills and confidence to use digital platforms more safely and effectively for their livelihood.”
Jesus Bermido Jr., DSWD-NCR SLP Cluster 1 Area Coordinator, put it plainly. “We produce and provide capital funds, but when it comes to marketing their products, they struggle. With these online platforms, they are given the chance to market their products through the PLDT and Smart partnership. We can truly bridge that.”
The first batch wrapped up in Sta. Mesa. More sessions are coming.
For micro-entrepreneurs, this isn’t about becoming influencers. It’s about making their business easier to find, easier to trust, and easier to grow.
