Beth Lee, Berna Romulo-Puyat and Rocky Sanchez-Tirona: Game-changers, made in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Made in the Philippines, these three women are truly aspirational examples of Filipino determination, ingenuity and talent. They are the perfect fit for Bayo’s latest campaign, which celebrates 25 women who, like Bayo, take being Pinoy to the next level by shooting for the stars — and in the process, affecting true change. The campaign, aptly called “Made in the Philippines,” is a nod to Bayo’s 25 years of fashion. Over the next few weeks, Bayo will be revealing inspiring stories of Filipinas making a difference in our country.

Berna Romulo-Puyat, Department of Agriculture

“I made ways to link farmers to the consumers.”

The Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture Berna Romulo-Puyat is a self-confessed foodie, but she takes it to the national level. Her passion for food, which goes beyond eating, is best captured by her work at Madrid Fusion, which she has spearheaded for the past three years, gathering local chefs to cook with regional ingredients in an effort to showcase them to foreign chefs and palates.

She doesn’t just see it as promoting local food. Through her work in the DA, she links our farmers directly to entrepreneurs, manufacturers and restaurants and helps them earn a better living. She also promotes indigenous weaves and textiles — often wearing Philippine-made products, such as Bayo, as well.

Passionate about everything homegrown, Berna is a public servant, proudly made in the Philippines.

Beth Lee, EMotors, Inc.

“I made trikes eco-friendly.”

A former CEO turned social entrepreneur and the first woman ever to to be president of the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers in the Philippines, Beth Lee broke all sorts of barriers and stereotypes when she became a top executive in the male dominated automotive industry. Now, Beth is paying it forward by advocating for sustainable transport through EMotors. She moved to into electronic vehicles as a social enterprice, hoping to help mitigate unemployment, create gainful livelihood, and alleviate the effects of climate change. Beth’s electronic tricycles produce zero pollution, are climate-friendly, and fully made in the Philippines.

EMotors is 100-percent Filipino-owned, and it’s making its mark by helping underprivileged Filipinos grow their businesses. “The purpose of this social enterprise is to educate people and to say that one can make a difference — because many ones, become many,” Beth says.

Tenacious and inspiring, Beth has found success both in the corporate world and in social entrepreneurship. Most comfortable in jeans and a shirt, she navigates the industry like a true boss, made in the Philipines.

Rocky Sanchez-Tirona, Fish Forever

“We made local action a global inspiration.”

Rocky Sanchez-Tirona is not new to social responsibility — she has conceptualized many campaigns back when she was an advertising executive. She learned how it all works and made it work for her cause as the vice-president of Rare. Focusing on marine and fishery resources through a program called Fish Forever, Rocky and her team work with municipalities and fishermen all over the country to teach best practices in conservation, and inspire measurable change in communities.

“Fish forever is a global initiative. The basic idea is you have to let the fisherfolk feel that they have a stake in their resources and how they are managed. It’s their incentive to do the right thing. It sounds trite, but I think the thing we’re most proud of are our people. Filipinos will continue to surprise you,” says Rocky.

Now working with 37 coastal municipalities, Rocky hopes to bring Fish Forever to all 900 municipalities all over the archipelago. With grit and spirit made in the Philippines, Rocky’s passion is contagious and a source of pride.

Watch out for the rest of these stories and join Bayo as it celebrates 25 years of culture, fashion and all things “Made in the Philippines.”