The quiet street of Barangay 43, Zone 6, Pasay City became the backdrop for a community-centered event that blended grassroots empowerment with modern entrepreneurship on July 4, 2025. At the center of this initiative was Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas, Co Founder and COO of Tag Media Group, a leader in both business and media, whose keynote session became the most anticipated and impactful moment of the Bahay Tubo Project, a business development program organized by students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
The project, held under the college’s Center for Student Life - Academic Extension Program and the Center for Social Action, aligned with the goals of the National Service Training Program (NSTP). It aimed to provide single parents with the skills and tools to start and sustain small, home-based food businesses.
But it was the talk by Engr. Nicolas, also President of Rising Tigers Magazine, that truly set the tone for ambition and transformation.
Lessons in Modern Entrepreneurship
Speaking to students, aspiring entrepreneurs and local community members, Engr. Nicolas delivered a practical and inspiring discussion on the realities of building a business in the digital age. She highlighted the role of digital platforms in reaching wider markets and establishing brand presence, especially for small-scale entrepreneurs operating from home.
More importantly, she emphasized that innovation is an integral part of doing or starting a business. Whether through unique product offerings, creative marketing strategies, or the use of technology to streamline operations, innovation, she said, must be a mindset from the very beginning.
Throughout her session, Engr. Nicolas maintained an open and engaging atmosphere, encouraging participation and interaction. Attendees who contributed ideas or asked questions were recognized with small tokens of appreciation — a gesture that energized the discussion and created a warm, collaborative environment.
An inspiring talk from the heart: A Conversation That Resonated
Unlike typical lectures, the event adopted a focus group discussion format, giving participants a chance to voice their ideas, share challenges, and receive real-time guidance. Engr. Nicolas responded with tailored advice and relevant examples, bridging the gap between theory and practice in a way that participants found highly relatable.
The session not only deepened the participants’ understanding of entrepreneurship but also gave them a renewed sense of purpose. With each exchange, the message became clearer: with knowledge, creativity, and the right support, starting a business is not only possible, it can be transformative.
Building a Platform for Change
Behind the success of the Bahay Tubo Project was a team of committed Benildean student leaders who handled logistics, communications, finance, facilitation, and overall project management. Their coordination ensured a smooth and meaningful rollout of the pilot phase, which included six main participants identified from the local community.
In partnership with the Barangay 43 local government, the program responded to the community’s call for inclusive, sustainable livelihood efforts. Though modest in scale, the event marked an important beginning in strengthening local capacity through education and enterprise.
A Promising Start
Engr. Nicolas’s presence at the Bahay Tubo launch elevated the project into something more than a community workshop, it became a launching pad for new ideas, renewed confidence, and genuine connection. Her insights on digital selling, innovation, and self-empowerment struck a chord with participants eager to take charge of their futures.
