In its 4th year, TFT Awards continues its journey to boost the image of Filipinos in the UAE by acknowledging the accomplishments of these OFWs who have shown excellence in their respective fields of work as well as the brands that Filipinos have embraced as part of their regular activities during their stay here in the country.
DUBAI: There is more to OFWs than being the much-ballyhooed “Bagong Bayani,” or new heroes of the Philippines. A lot, if not all, go the extra mile for excellence but rarely get the recognition so deserved.
To this end, The Filipino Times Awards (TFT Awards), which runs on its fourth edition this year, was created to recognize not only those individuals in the UAE who rose through the ranks to prove that the Filipinos are globally competitive but as well the brands that the Filipinos trust and preferred.
And so, the Oscars of the Filipino community in the UAE.
The journey
Nominations for the Individual and the Brands began as early as in the third week of May 2018, with TFT receiving thousands for individuals and brands combined. Upon the culmination of the nomination period during the first two weeks of July, the orientation and deliberation for the individual category took place during the third and fourth week respectively. Public voting for the brands on the other hand, began during the mid-July which stretched for a month until mid-August.
Angeline Rivera-Carlos, Business Unit Head of New Perspective Media, organizer of the TFT Awards 2018, shares that OFWs from all over the UAE have nominated both individuals and brands whom they think deserve to win their respective categories.
“In its 4th year, TFT Awards continues its journey to boost the image of Filipinos in the UAE by acknowledging the accomplishments of these OFWs who have shown excellence in their respective fields of work as well as the brands that Filipinos have embraced as part of their regular activities during their stay here in the country,” said Carlos.
Integrity and Prestige
The winners for the individual category were selected by an esteemed panel of judges that comprised of Philippine Consul General, Paul Raymund Cortes; Prime Group CEO, Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi, PHD Media Senior Director – Planning, Roxanne Magbanua; Canadian Energy Equipment Manufacturing FZE HR Director and Professional Life Coach, Lou Olvido Parroco; My-HD TV Project Manager, Ken Fortun, and The Filpino Times General Manager, Vince Ang.
Carlos furthers that all shortlisted nominees had gone through a series of background checks to make sure that the only most qualified individuals make it to the shortlist: “TFT Awards prides itself in being a credible, fair, and honest award giving body. It’s not about how many people are shortlisted as the team ensures the public that we have checked all entries submitted to us to make sure that we’re able to shortlist the individuals and brands that Filipinos have voted for.”
Brand and company awards
The award-giving body opened its nomination to the public for 50 different categories covering individual, group, preferred brands, and company awards. Over 500 nominations were taken in across all sectors. Upon deliberation, shortlisted nominees for individual and group categories were narrowed down to 47 and five, respectively.
Distinguished companies that exemplify excellence in being of service to the Filipinos were also awarded.
Shortlisted individuals:
Advertising Professional of the Year
Nicholo Jallores
Roxane Gahol
Architect of the Year
Rodel Ayala
Mario Cardenes
Artist of the Year
Dexter Dalisay
Jeanelyn Rillo Jarder
Dexter Modesto
Nathaniel Alapide
Mark Louie Eduardo
Ivy Grace Paredes
Educator of the Year
Juan Paolo Arao
Sugar Esparada
Dr. Niño Decenario
Ryan Rebecca
Engineer of the Year
Danilo Aquino
Maria Fe Dayot
Elmer Casao
Jethroefel Ramboyong
Emelyn Martinez
Joel Foronda
Entrepreneur of the Year
Cristina Calaguian
Michelle Guinto
Jeffrey San Juan
Most Promising Fashion Designer of the Year
Jose Allen Villena
Ryan Pacioles
Film Maker of the Year
Mark Ganzon
Melanie Perez
Paul Aggarao
Healthcare Professional of the Year
Dr. Aileen Villanueva
Richmond De Austria
Hospitality Professional of the Year
Daryl Bismanos
Ronin Ronald Endozo
Eileen Guerra
John Martho Buenaventura
Marketing Professional of the Year
Dominique Famador
Eduardo Almeda
Joseph Alcantara
Media Personality of the Year
Cleofi Pimentel
Anna Louise Da Costa
Steeve Patrick Moore
New Media Personality of the Year
Lionel Gonzaga
Josie Romulo Conlu
Mary Grace Ramos
Kristina Carpio
Roy Lance Japor
Photographer of the Year
Anthony Austria
Christian Calumberan
Gabriel John Rimando
Roger Alfonso
Top Executive of the Year
Francis Errol Medina
Hashim Guinomla
Jesus Metelo Arias, Jr.
Announcement of Winners
All results are in and the public already awaits the announcement of the new batch of winners for the TFT Awards this 2018. The premier, invite-only event will be held at the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai this coming September 7 which will host the Philippine diplomatic corps, top Filipino executives in the region, heads of the biggest brands in the UAE, well-known individuals and delegates of brands flying straight from the Philippines as well as the previous winners of the TFT Awards in the past few years, Filipino community leaders as well as the media.
“TFT Awards 2018 will be an evening of celebrations as we highlight the achievements of our fellow OFWs who have made an indelible mark here in the UAE. The night will also give importance and recognition to the top brands that the Filipinos in the region have voted for which proves that these are the brands which have created or offered products and/or services that Filipinos really love,” said Carlos.
