Ask anyone what they know about Filipinos, they’ll probably say one of these three things: they’re hospitable, can sing well, and live in a country with great beaches. But in their lesser-known business side, different traits come to the surface.

MUNI, which means to “reflect or ponder” in Tagalog, delves into the stories of five Filipino entrepreneurs in the sustainability and impact scene in Singapore, and how their Filipino-ness has helped them find great success.

In Singapore, the impact industry is small and tight-knit – so when finding Filipinos who lead in the space, the options are far and few in between. But that never stopped these five entrepreneurs, who are thriving more than ever before in fields varying from fashion to finance.

Through MUNI, we invited five of them to reflect on how their Filipino characteristics were pivotal in shaping them as individuals and entrepreneurs.

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The entrepreneurs‍

Hear the stories of Chella, a 21-year old full-time student and founder of resort wear brand Rêve de Chella. At a young age, she has uplifted Filipino artisans by working with them to create swimwear and bags in stunning eco-friendly materials.

Christine, a social entrepreneur, adventurer, and author who founded Women on a Mission and Her Planet Earth, two NGOs that use expeditionary travel to raise funds and support for vulnerable women.

Joanna, a wife, mom, entrepreneur, and author whose life mission is to promote outrageous generosity and financial literacy - especially among Filipinos - through her organisations Giving is Social, The Collective Asia, and The Smart Concierge.

Raye, who left the Philippines seeking for more, and in Singapore, founded The Fashion Pulpit, a circular fashion hub that maximises and prolongs the lifespan of clothing through swapping, education programs, upcycling, and more.

And Madelene, the founder of TheOneHourProject, a volunteer organisation that promotes ad-hoc, skilled, and digital volunteering – alongside TheOneHourProject for Business, which is a social enterprise that scales corporate social impact.

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The challenges

When asked about the hardships of being a Filipino in the entrepreneurial space, many shared about their experience of being an underdog. No one expects a person from the third-world country to step up and lead, it seems.

Even among Filipinos, there are negative stereotypes and traditions that are widely considered to be “toxic.”

The entrepreneurs shared about how the ideas of utang na loob (perpetual debt) or hiya (embarrassment) made it difficult for them to stand up for themselves, and created a sense of self-doubt and worry regarding their journey.

In navigating these experiences, they were able to come out stronger and work towards a more fulfilling road of success – proving that even negative circumstances can be pivotal in progress, too.

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Their stories

From moving to Singapore at the ripe age of 10 to leaving a comfortable life in pursuit of something more meaningful, these entrepreneurs share their stories of how they began their business journey in the Lion City, one of the most cut-throat work environments in the world, and why being Filipino has helped them find success in ways others haven’t.

Stories of humour, resilience, Christianity, and above all, bayanihan (community) come into play the most – a poignant yet impressive reminder that despite the stereotypes and limitations Filipinos experience, there are big, impactful shoes that they can fill – if only they are brave enough to do so.

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