165 Brands Compete at The Filipino Time Awards 2016
Nineteen Filipinos, 30 popular consumer brands and one community group were recognised at the second edition of The Filipino Times Awards, an annual red carpet event honouring the excellence of one of the UAE’s biggest expatriate community and highlighting its contributions to the country’s growth.
The event honours 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 and preferred by the Filipinos in the UAE.
“There are one million Filipinos in the UAE – the third largest expat community,” Managing Director of New Perspective Media and Editor-in-Chief of The Filipino Times, Karen Remo, said. “Part of the amazing economic success of the UAE are Filipinos, who have been growing by double digit year-on-year. This growth has fueled the interest of international brands to zero in on Filipinos. At the same time, home grown brands have also expanded their presence in the UAE. The Filipino Times Awards recognises the important role played by Filipinos in nation building as well as honours the brands that Filipinos love.”
The award-giving body opened its nomination to the public for 50 different categories covering individual, group, preferred brands, and company awards. More than 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 including H.E. Constancio Vingno, Jr., Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, and H.E. Mohamed Saleh Badri, Secretary-General of the International Halal Accreditation Forum (IHAF) and previously the Director General of Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA).
Also sitting on the panel was a multi-awarded 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.
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 they 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.
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Constancio Vingno, Jr., said:
“Upon reviewing the biodata, 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 are very much focused on their social responsibilities, on how they could be of help to their fellow Filipinos here and their loved ones back home. This is precisely the importance of recognising these role models.”
Philippine Consul General to the UAE, H.E. Paul Raymund Cortes said, “I commend The Filipino Times for celebrating the exemplary work of Overseas Filipinos in this part of the world and the brands that have made an indelible mark amongst our people. 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.”
Congratulating both the nominees and awardees, Cortes said, “Your success is a measure of our people’s resolve to carve better lives for themselves and for the Inang Bayan (Motherland) they will forever call home.”
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 Hafia Wehbe.
Brand Categories:
• Preferred Fast Food Restaurant of the Year: Hardee’s
• Preferred Filipino Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Fiesta Pinoy Restaurant
• Preferred Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year: Lemongrass Thai Restaurant
• Preferred Seafood Restaurant of the Year: Dampa Seafood Grill
• Preferred Telecom Company of the Year: Du
• Preferred Sedan Car Brand of the Year: Honda
• Preferred SUV Car Brand of the Year: Toyota
• Preferred Bank of the Year: Emirates NBD
• Preferred Sports Brand of the Year: New Balance
• Preferred Sports Retail Shop of the Year: Stadium
• Preferred Remittance Centre of the Year: Al Ansari Exchange
• Preferred Remittance Service Provider of the Year: Cebuana Lhuillier
• Preferred Electronics Outlet of the Year: Carrefour
• Preferred Airline of the Year: Cebu Pacific
• Preferred Night Club of the Year: Boracay Night Club
• Preferred Shopping Mall of the Year: BurJuman
• Preferred Freight Forwarding Company of the Year: LBC
• Preferred Coffee Shop of the Year: Starbucks
• Preferred Makeup Brand of the Year: Inglot
The Filipino Times (TFT) Company Awards:
• TFT Excellence in Service Award: Emirates Airline
• TFT Feel Home Restaurant of the Year: Little Manila Restaurant
• TFT Asian Restaurant of the Year: P.F. Chang’s
• TFT Takeaway Restaurant of the Year: McDonald’s
• TFT Award for Excellence in Philippine Connectivity: Philippine Airlines
• TFT Excellence in CSR Award: Wall Street Exchange
• TFT Innovative Product of the Year: Al Ain ZERO by Agthia
• TFT Filipino Fast Food of the Year: Tapa King
• TFT Consumer Friendly Travel Agency: MPQ Tourism
• TFT Innovative Service of the Year: Al Shamil Foodstuff Trading (Smart Bus Shelter)
Individual Categories:
• IT Professional of the Year: Irene Corpuz, Head of IT Security, Abu Dhabi Government
• Marketing and Advertising Professional of the Year: Roxane Magbanua, Head of Media at Al-Futaim Group
• Top Executive of the Year: Dr. Rebecca Desiderio, CEO, The Medical City, GCC
• Fashion Designer of the Year: Ezra Santos, Owner Creative Director, EZRA Couture
• Entrepreneur of the Year: Eduardo Nicdao, Managing Director, New Cabalen Chain Restaurant
• Engineer of the Year: Francis Anthony Ayan, Principal Engineer, WS Atkins
• Artist of the Year: Susan De Guzman, Artist/ Painter, Sharjah Women’s College
• Architect of the Year: Celso II Beringuel Creer, Senior Architect and Interior Designer, UPA Urbanism Planning Architecture LVCC
• Educators of the Year: Arlene Pulido, Learning and Development Manager, Al Tamimi & Co., Advocates and Legal; and Rommel Sergio, Chair and Management Professor, Management Program, Canadian University Dubai
• Entertainer of the Year: Ian Tocle and Mau Marcelo
• Film Maker of the Year: Idelyn Amparo, Architect, Access Engineering Consultancy
• Healthcare Professional of the Year: Dan Lester Dabon, Quality and Risk Manager, IVI Fertility- GCC
• Hospitality Professional of the Year: Jonathan Valencia, Senior F&B Outlets Manager/ F&B Marketing Manager, Asiana Hotel
• Media Personality of the Year: Josh Jr. Mangila, Editor-in-Chief, Xpedition Middle East
• Most Promising Designer of the Year: Harvey Cenit, Fashion Designer and Creative Director, Al Arousa Al Aniqha
• Photographer of the Year: Celso II Beringueal Creer, Senior Architect and Interior Designer
• Rizal Award: Ezra Santos, Owner/Creative Director, EZRA Couture
• Sport Personality of the Year: Charles Marelid, Track and Field Athlete
• Young Achiever of the Year: John Kenji Perez, Badminton Player
Group Categories:
• Community Project of the Year: Medical Mission 2015 to 2016 by Philippine Hospitality Professional Association
• Marketing Campaigns of the Year: Uwi by Philippine Airline and Padama sa Padala by LBC
(Source: FilipinoTimes.ae)