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4th Filipino Times Awards honor Pinoy achievers, preferred brands

The Filipino community has become a major contributor of the development in the UAE. With an ever-increasing purchasing power, Filipinos are now the fastest growing consumer market segment in the UAE.

DUBAI: Nobody said it could get any grander, but it did!

The 4th edition of the much-anticipated annual Filipino Times Awards, lived up to expectations, rolling out the red carpet in an invitation-only event attended by nearly 1,000 of the most prominent executives in the country to honor Pinoy achievers as well as commend brands preferred by the community and companies for their unwavering support.

Indeed, what else would have been more fitting an icebreaker than a Vegas-style opening number by former X Factor UK favorite Ivy Grace Paredes, popularly, Ayegee, who did a cover of Keala Settle’s “This is Me,” from the hit movie, “The Greatest Showman.”

Jaws dropped and not an eye blinked as Ayegee mesmerized the crowd, the crème de la crème of the UAE, who gravitated to J.W. Marriott Marquis Hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road that Friday, Sept. 7, for an evening of glitz and glamor – a fitting way to celebrate Filipinos in their finest hour, their 15 minutes of fame in what has been dubbed as “The Oscars of Pinoys in the UAE.”

Never has the awards body run out of nominations, which always came in the several thousands every year, since its inaugural edition in 2015. Recipients have also not run out of fresh commendations following their TFT recognition, while at the same enjoying career growth by way of the resulting proverbial feather in their cap.

Nominations for the awards began in May 2018 with The Filipino Times receiving thousands of submissions.

This year’s esteemed panel of judges for the individual category included Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes. The members were My HD-TV Project Manager Ken Fortun, Prime Group CEO Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi; Business Development Director at PHD Media, Roxane Magbanua, HR director at Canadian Energy Equipment Mfg Lou Parroco and TFT General Manager Vince Ang.

Preferred brands

Meantime, Emirates Airline, du, RAKBANK, Global Village, Dubai Duty Free and La Mer were awarded most preferred brands by Filipinos in the UAE during the event.

More than 40,000 voted in the biggest online poll of its kind in The Filipino Times Awards website for the brand category, selecting from over 200 brands that made it to the final list of nominees.

Likewise, companies who have shown excellence in providing extensive services for the Filipinos were given due recognition through the company awards. In total, 34 brands and companies were commended.

Dr. Karen Remo, co-founder and managing director of New Perspective Media, publisher of The Filipino Times and organizer of The Filipino Times Awards, said: “The Filipino community has become a major contributor of the development in the UAE. With an ever-increasing purchasing power, Filipinos are now the fastest growing consumer market segment in the UAE.

“Connecting the Filipinos on the one hand and the brands on the other is The Filipino Times, the biggest Filipino newspaper in the Middle East and the largest online platform for Filipinos in the region. The Filipino Times Awards magnify this connection. This much coveted awards commend global success and world-class excellence.”

Biggest fan

Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn Quintana, for her part, said she is the biggest fan of overseas Filipinos.

“Filipinos are building communities all over the world. With almost 10% of its 104 million population living and working abroad, the huge diaspora and its impact to the world can no longer be denied. As your Ambassador, I am your biggest fan. Your motivation to excel against all odds is a shining example of the Filipino spirit. Together, we will work to further raise the profile and visibility of the Filipinos in the global stage.”

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, said: “The awardees for this year, as in previous years, exemplify the very best of our country as they prove their mettle and conquer new ground. They all richly deserve the accolade given to them.”

Emirati Social Media Influencer Khalid Al Ameri won the TFT Personality of the Year on Social Media for his incredible contribution in representing the UAE as a model country for tolerance and understanding. He was also commended for his valuable help in bridging the gap between different cultures through his thought provoking social media content.

Al Ameri said: “What I tell people is that if you take one step forward towards the Filipino community, they’ll take two steps forward towards you. They are always ready to welcome you.”

Thanks to our sponsors

This year’s TFT Awards in association with du as the platinum sponsor. The TFT Awards, on its 4th edition this 2018, is also proud to have RAKBANK as the gold sponsor and Al Tayer Motors-Ford as the car partner. Category sponsors are Nikon, Pancake House International and Bawiq, while the support sponsors are NMC Mabuhay Clinic, Hot Palayok Restaurant & Grill, CMG Cargo, MPQ Tourism and Dofreeze-Eurocake.

The Filipino Times Awards is the much-awaited annual red carpet event that puts the spotlight on the brands preferred by Filipinos and recognizes the global success and top-notch excellence of Filipinos. It is the brainchild of The Filipino Times (TFT), the biggest Filipino newspaper in the Middle East and the largest online platform for Filipinos in the region.

The event honors top Filipino personalities who have made indelible marks to the lives of their countrymen and have uplifted the Filipino spirit and image not only in the UAE but across the world.

It bestows recognition to companies and brands heavily favoured by the Filipinos in the UAE.

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