Second Annual The Filipino Times Awards brings together crème dela crème of one-million strong Filipino community in the UAE.
DUBAI: In what was a gathering of top movers and shakers, the second Filipino Times Awards was held with over 500 people in attendance to commend some 19 exemplary Filipinos and recognize 30 popular consumer brands preferred by the one-million member strong Filipino community in the UAE.
As well, the annual red carpet event, the biggest gathering of its kind in the UAE, honored the excellence of one of the UAE’s biggest expatriate community and highlighted its contributions to the country’s growth.
Top Filipino personalities, who have made indelible marks to the lives of their countrymen and uplifted the Filipino spirit and image not only in the UAE but across the world, were given commendation at the jam-packed event held at the capacious Boracay Night Club at Asiana Hotel in Deira, Dubai on Aug. 20.
The awards night as well bestowed recognition to companies and brands preferred by the Filipinos in the UAE. Part of the amazing economic success of the UAE are Filipinos,” said Karen Remo, managing director of New Perspective Media and The Filipino Times editor-in-chief. “This economic growth has fueled the interest of international brands on Filipinos even as homegrown brands expand their presence in the UAE.
The Filipino Times Awards recognizes the important role played by Filipinos in nation-building as well as honors the brands that Filipinos love,” she added. Highlighting the event was the coveted The Filipino Times Rizal Award, named after the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. This award was bestowed to Ezra Santos, an internationally acclaimed Filipino fashion designer who has dressed Hollywood and Arab celebrities including Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Nicole Scherzinger, Britney Spears and Haifa Wahbe.
Nominations
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.
The final roster of individual and group nominees was further evaluated by a six-member panel of judges led by Amb. Constancio Vingno, Jr., and H.E. Mohamed Saleh Badri, Secretary-General of the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF) and previously Director General of the Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA).
Also sitting on the panel was a multiawarded professional and community leader, Engr. Mary Jane Alvero-Al Mahdi, CEO of Prime and Geoscience Testing Laboratory; Lou Olvido-Parroco, a senior level HR director with over 20 years’ experience in management and human resources; Ken Fortun, project consultant at MyGMA Pay TV Service; and Jojo Dass, editor at The Filipino Times.
Selection
The awardees were selected based on their exemplary performance in carrying out professional responsibilities while fulfilling civic duties.
They were scored through the following criteria: leadership, professional success, community service, values and work management, creativity and eye for innovation. On the other hand, a total of 165 brands made it to the final list and were voted upon through The Filipino Times website by over 20,000 individuals.
Distinguished companies that exemplify excellence in being of service to the Filipinos were also awarded. It took the judges the whole day deliberating on the merits of each candidate’s nomination, reviewing their works and poring over their resumes before finally deciding individually. “Upon reviewing the bio-data, achievements and awards of the nominees, we were quite impressed with what they have accomplished during their stay here in the UAE.
In the papers we have examined, the nominees were very much focused on their social responsibilities, and on how they could be of help to their fellow Filipinos here and their loved ones back home. This is precisely the importance of recognizing them as role models,” Vingno said. Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes commended The Filipino Times for celebrating the exemplary work of Overseas Filipinos. “This is one beautiful reminder of the inspiring story of peaceful and productive co-existence between the Filipinos and the rest of the UAE community – one that we are assured will continue for years to come,” he said. Congratulating both the nominees.
