Converge ICT Solutions Inc. President and Co-Founder Maria Grace Y. Uy stands proudly as one of this year’s “Women of Style and Substance” awardees of PeopleAsia, joining a roster of exceptional women who have been making waves in their respective industries – with style.
In photo: PeopleAsia’s “Women of Style and Substance 2023” Awardees. Converge President Uy (sixth from right) with fellow women awardees (from second on the left): Raffles and Fairmont Makati hotel manager Aubrey Ada, Juju Glow founder and CEO Acee Sayson-Paita, 3-time PVL MVP Tots Carlos, Luminisce Skin and Laser Clinic founder Dr. Kaycee Reyes, MediaQuest Holdings president and CEO Jane Jimenez-Basas, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, FVP and chief reputation and sustainability officer for Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, environmentalist Mache Torres-Ackerman, Philippine Airlines’ AVP for catering operations Chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer, and Creamline Cool Smashers team captain Alyssa Valdez. Also in photo are Stargate PeopleAsia Board Member Sara Soliven-de Guzman (left) and PeopleAsia Editor-In-Chief Joanne Rae Ramirez (extreme right).
Uy was recognized for exemplifying the right blend of straightforward leadership with her distinctive grace, as she champions digital democracy in the country through Converge with her husband Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy.
In photo from left: Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, Converge President and Co-Founder Grace Uy, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, with her husband Aubrey Carlson.
In her acceptance speech during the awarding ceremony on Tuesday, Uy underscored the role of information and communication technologies, highlighting that digitalization means pushing beyond technologies and transforming the way people live, work, and connect.
“Through Converge, we have helped shape the digital lives of Filipinos these past few years, and we’re grateful that they continue to choose us everyday, as their technology and internet provider. Recently, we announced that we just hit our two million subscriber mark and we want to say that we’re not done yet in our journey to serve Filipinos,” Uy said.
She also mentioned the improvements in the online experience of Filipinos with the country’s fixed broadband median speed at over 90 Mbps as of February 2023, from 25.68 Mbps in November 2019, according to Ookla.
“This is in no small part due to Converge because we were the first to offer 100Mbps – and now 200Mbps – with no data cap for our base FiberX plan. We’re just starting. We can’t wait to bring more innovation into peoples’ lives – whether in their homes or their businesses,” she added.
Uy leads Converge as its president, chief resources officer, and chief risk officer. Her co-leadership at Converge ushered the delivery of innovative connectivity solutions in the country, despite the company being a relatively young operator in the local telco industry.
Recently, Converge launched two trailblazing products that will serve the residential mass markets – its most affordable postpaid internet plan, BIDA Fiber, and prepaid fiber internet called Surf2Sawa. The company is also offering value-added services for their subscribers to further enrich their digital experiences.
“I want to express my gratitude to all the women here today, who have paved the way and continue to inspire others. Let’s continue to champion diversity, mentor the next generation, empower them, and work together to create a more inclusive and digitally enabled society,” she said.
This year’s “Women of Style and Substance” awardees included US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Actress Dolly De Leon, Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee, Creamline Cool Smashers team captain Alyssa Valdez, and three-time Premier Volleyball League MVP Tots Carlos, among others.