The Filipino Times Awards, keeping up with its avowed task of discovering “hidden gems” in the community, commended 29 movers and shakers in a glitterati red-carpet event attended by over 1,000 high-profile guests at the plush J.W. Marriot Marquis, the world’s tallest hotel.
Now on its third edition, the awards likewise gave due recognition to three Manila-based Filipinos for global excellence, and 36 top brands preferred by the community.
“The TFT Awards is one of my treasured occasions as it provides me an
opportunity to address a distinguished group in the Filipino community and witness the great
strides they have achieved.” – Phil. Ambassador Constancio Vingno, Jr.
This year’s much-coveted TFT Rizal Award — the highest distinction conferred to an individual — was given to Dr. Eduardo Malagapo, Jr., a respected Filipino educator based in the UAE, for his admirable passion in building the competencies of Filipino students in the UAE as citizens in an increasingly globalized world.
Dr. Malagapo now joins the rank of other world-renowned Filipinos based in the UAE and recipients of TFT Rizal Awards in previous years, namely, Ezra Santos (2016 TFT Rizal Awardee) and Michael Cinco (2015 TFT Rizal Awardee).
‘Treasured occasion’
In his speech, Ambassador Constancio Vingno Jr., said the TFT Awards is “one of my treasured occasions as it provides me an opportunity to address a distinguished group in the Filipino community, and witness the great strides they have achieved.”
“By giving these awards, TFT boosts their morale, and also increases their ability to contribute more to the society. Ultimately, the awards also raise the profile of the Filipinos in the UAE,” he said.
For his part, Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes commented, “Every year, we come up exactly with these kinds of awards to celebrate exactly what Filipino excellence means. Clearly, when we celebrate the apex of what the Filipino can be, we are talking about the apex of what humanity can be. At a certain point, we have to be inspired by these people who have trail blazed for everybody to emulate and be as exceptional as they are.”
Karen Remo, Managing Director of New Perspective Media (NPM) and Editor-in-Chief of The Filipino Times, said the success of this year’s awards mirrored NPM’s and TFT’s commitment to showcase Filipino excellence not only in the Middle East, but across the globe.
“The Filipino consumer segment is the fastest growing in the UAE market over the last three years and experts say it could be in the top three spot as the biggest in five years’ time. At the backdrop of this trend is the growing purchasing power of Filipinos as they occupy high-level positions in the corporate world and public sector. Also, more and more of them are opening up businesses in the country, which they now consider their home.”
Global excellence
Meantime, conferred with The Filipino Times Global Excellence Awards were Jeffrey Campos, President and Chairman of the Board at Greenfield Development Corporation; William Thomas Mirasol, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President at OCLP Holdings, Inc., the holding company of Ortigas & Company, which is jointly owned by Ayala Land, SM and Ortigas; and Jose Xavier Gonzales, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer of The Medical City.
Campos received the award’s Leader category; Mirasol, the Pioneer category; and Gonzales, Visionary category.
Dr. Malagapo said he will dedicate his TFT Rizal Award to all OFWs, whom he also encouraged to pursue further studies, be fully equipped and be able to compete in the global market.
“I have to continue sharing my gifts in the education industry and continue to promote the welfare of our OFWs not only in the field of education but as well as in other fields. This I can do with the help and support of all the alumni and students who are also OFWs,” he said.
Like Malagapo, Campos, said he will share his award to the OFWs, the Greenfield employees and the country.
“I’m receiving this award, not for myself but for the country, for the OFWs; all of you who have given your lives to work abroad, away from your families to give them a better future. It’s not easy to be away from your children, from your parents. This award, I give it to all of you,” he said.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi nominees, who bagged quite a few of the prestigious awards were also elated for the recognition that were given to them by the award giving body, like Fashion Designer of the Year Aldwin “JLO” Guardiana, and Engineer of the Year, Engr. Jeffrey Uy, who tied with Louie Mel Maliksi.
“This is a privilege and a great honor to be given this ward. To be lined up with Michael Cinco, Ezra Santos, and Ferne One. I would like to share this award to my family and my best friends – Allen (Villena), Ruben (Santos), and Joven (San Miguel). They are with me all the time doing community projects for the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi. I believe sharing your talent is the best way of giving back,” said Guardiana.
Famous fashion designer Ezra, a recipient of the TFT Rizal Award last year, commended all the winners, saying he is “so proud and happy for all of (them).”
“It just shows how the Filipinos work hard and how excellent they are in their own fields. I just hope that The Filipino Times will continue to give awards and recognize what a true Filipino is.”
Selection process
There were over 600 nominees for the individual categories submitted by the public. The number was trimmed down to 60 following eliminations, and were reviewed and evaluated in a day-long deliberation by an esteemed panel of judges led by Vingno, using the rubrics of leadership, professional success, community service, values and work management; and creativity and innovation.
The finalists for the brand were shortlisted by the organizers, then subjected to public voting.
The prestigious awards event was made even bigger this year after receiving an incredible reception from the Filipino community and top brands and companies in previous years.
It drew new major sponsors, which gave away special surprises for the guests, including three brand new iPhone 7 plus, courtesy of Direct Remit by Emirates NBD and BDO Unibank. Cosmetic brand Avon, also gave away beauty bags to all the guests who graced the prestigious event.
“So many firms have approached us and pledged their support for this year’s event, which speaks of how New Perspective Media, through The Filipino Times Awards, has made such a huge impact in our community here in the UAE through the years,” said Remo.
“Helping these brands and companies build an invaluable connection with migrant Filipinos in the UAE is just an extra reward. What fills our heart with bliss is when these companies tell us that they have been overwhelmed with congratulations from Filipino clients, or had the confidence to achieve new things, because those lend force to the inception of The Filipino Times Awards,” Remo added.
Twenty-four top brands and 12 firms in the region, which echo the overseas Filipinos’ pursuit despite odds of unfurling challenges, also scored recognition during the red-carpet event.
The Filipino Times Awards is the much-awaited annual red-carpet event that recognizes the global success and top-notch excellence of Filipinos. It is the brainchild of The Filipino Times (TFT), the leading Filipino weekly newspaper in the UAE. It also bestows recognition to companies and brands heavily favored and preferred by the Filipinos in the emirates.
