This year’s cycle highlighted non U.S. headquartered companies making significant contributions in education, environment, livelihood, healthcare, disaster response, and community engagement.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson praised the awardees for championing purpose driven leadership and advancing shared prosperity between Filipinos, Americans, and partner communities.

AmCham Philippines President Sara Murphy also thanked members for their continued engagement and commitment to responsible business practices. Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo reinforced government support for private sector programs that empower communities and strengthen industries.

Senior AmCham leaders, including Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe, joined partners and finalists in recognizing this year’s top initiatives.

The highest honor, the Impact Excellence Award, went to Pilmico Foods Corporation for Project Silk, an inclusive program supporting yellow corn farmers and promoting resilient agricultural communities. Project Silk was selected from all Gold Awardees across the first two cycles for its measurable impact, strong community participation, and potential for replication.

Category Winners

Education and Future Workforce
Gold: Nezda Technologies Inc. – Nezda FEES
Silver: Frontier Tower Associates Philippines Inc. – Frontier Towers Scholarship Program
Bronze: Quezon Power Philippines and San Buenaventura Power – Technical Vocational Scholarship Program
MSME: Hamlin Iturralde Corporation (TeamAsia) – My Dream in a Shoebox

Environmental Sustainability and Resource Efficiency
Gold: Aboitiz Power Corporation Therma Visayas – Carbon Sink Management Program
Silver: Converge ICT Solutions – Countdown to Zero Waste
Silver: Reckitt – Mortein Anti Dengue Campaign with Makati LGU
Bronze: Quezon Power and SBPL – Mangrove Reforestation Program
MSME: Raslag Corporation – Agricultural Photovoltaics Project 2025

Economic Empowerment and Livelihood Development
Gold: Pilmico Foods Corporation – Project Silk
Silver: PMFTC – Project KainBigan
Bronze: Aboitiz Power Corporation – Skills Training Program
MSME: Science Park of the Philippines – Kaagapay sa Hanapbuhay

Healthcare Equity and Support
Gold: BDO Unibank – Rural Health Unit Rehabilitation
Silver: Reckitt – ComeTogether Youth Education Campaign
Bronze: AstraZeneca Philippines – Young Health Programme

Disaster Response and Emergency Relief
Gold: GMA Network – Operation Bayanihan
Silver: BDO Unibank – Relief and Disaster Response
Bronze: Reckitt – Lysol Disinfect to Protect Mission
MSME: Clark International Airport Corporation – Relief Aid Mission Bangon Batangas

Community Impact and Civic Engagement

Gold: Thomson Reuters – Duyan Foundation Outreach
Silver: Pilmico Foods Corporation – Adopt A City Program
Bronze: Vena Energy – Water Sanitation and Hygiene Program
SME: Gerodias Suchianco Estrella Law Firm – Kaanib sa Misyon

Finalists were evaluated by an independent panel composed of Ma. Corazon Halili Dichosa of the Board of Investments, Paul Taylor of the United States Embassy, and Ruy Moreno of the Philippine Quality Awards Foundation. Entries were assessed based on impact, sustainability, innovation, scalability, community engagement, alignment, and communication effectiveness. AmCham Philippines had no involvement in the judging process.

The AmCham Corporate Social Impact Awards will continue as an annual program encouraging organizations to pursue impactful and scalable initiatives that strengthen communities and support national development.

Lim is taking over the post of her mother and the agency’s founder Monette Iturralde-Hamlin who will now sit as chairperson of TeamAsia. The announcement was made during the company’s first in-person town hall meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This transition fills me with immense pride as I am confident my daughter Bea will lead TeamAsia with the same vision and values that Michael Alan Hamlin and I instilled from the beginning,” said Iturralde-Hamlin.

Lim has been the agency’s managing director since 2013, leading overall operations, driving TeamAsia’s world-class Integrated Marketing Experience practice, and spearheading its biggest campaigns in tech, telecommunications, IT-BPM, and development aid.

She will continue driving TeamAsia’s vision and mission forward, embodying its purpose deeply rooted in nation-building with her expertise in integrated communications, management, and business development.

“We are confident that the new leadership will ensure the next 32 years and more of making things happen so that people, brands, communities, industries, and the nation succeed,” said Iturralde-Hamlin. “Driving innovation, leading to inspire, and staying resilient will remain the core of TeamAsia.”

Other key promotions and changes in the organizational structure were also announced during the town hall meeting.

TeamAsia’s IT & Tech Capabilities director Jeff Enriquez was promoted to Vice President of Operations while the agency’s Finance director Malou Martinez was named Vice President of Finance.

Enriquez has worked in TeamAsia since 2004, starting as a web developer before getting named Web Development director in 2009, took on the additional role of IT director in 2011 to become IT & Web director, and eventually IT & Tech Capabilities director after the merging of Digital, Creatives, and Web departments in 2021. Leveraging his 20 years of experience and passion for operational excellence, Enriquez will further strengthen TeamAsia’s infrastructure, ensuring seamless delivery and project execution.

Martinez, on the other hand, was a CPA board exam passer in 1978 and has been with TeamAsia since 2021 after several stints as finance director and chief financial officer in various US and Canada-based companies in the healthcare and auditing industries.

Amid the changes, the management committee reiterated its dedication to the agency’s goals of providing meaningful experiences, taking brands to the next level, and driving its various lines of business, Creatives, Digital, Events, and Public Relations, to flourish. The new leadership also pledged to continue fostering collaboration and paving pathways to growth.

“These changes signify our commitment to excellence in integrated marketing experiences and creating and sustaining visibility for our partners. Most importantly, it serves as a testament to our dedication to cultivating the next generation of communication experts and honing a creative, safe, and inclusive workplace,” said Lim.

TeamAsia is a key partner for the PR efforts of the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, the enabling body of the industry, and mounted its International Innovation Summit in 2022. The agency also handles the digital and PR initiatives of Bounty, a large-scale industrial agriculture corporation, and Pointwest, a wholly Filipino-owned IT-BPM company; the digital campaign of Himel, a global manufacturer of electrical products; and organized the most recent AI Summit in the Philippines.

There is no better way to celebrate a milestone a year after its rebranding from Legato Health Technologies Philippines to Carelon Global Solutions Philippines than welcoming a new leader who will take the helm of the “new brand”.

Nicolai “Nicki” Agcaoili, the new Chief Country Executive of Carelon Global Solutions Philippines is set to lead the company towards innovation, maximizing growth, empowering people and creating more leaders within the organization.

As former Chief Strategy and Planning Officer Agcaoili said, “Being the new Chief Country Executive is a huge honor and I’m committed to continuing what we have started at Carelon Global Solutions Philippines by empowering our own associates to be future leaders and experts in delivering full and complete care brandishing the heart of Filipino known for “malasakit” (concern).

When the company transitioned to Carelon Global Solutions Philippines in January 2023, it promised bigger and better things for its stakeholders and employees as the rebranding was aligned with its objectives of managing and optimizing operational processes for health plans and providers. More than a year since it rebranded, the company has championed the value of care in the IT-BPM industry.

“What sets Carelon Global Solutions Philippines apart is genuine and holistic care. We believe that whatever we do for our customers and stakeholders, we must also do for our employees, and it starts with care. If we care about them, we go the extra mile to help them. Everything we do is rooted in our care for our people and the people we serve,” Agcaoili said.

Carelon Global Solutions Philippines had an initial goal of bringing together 1500 talents to transform the way healthcare works. As of the second quarter of 2024, the company has grown to more than 9,000 full-time employees and achieved over 80 capabilities performed out from the country as a global capability center. Their associates are equipped with healthcare, technology, and customer experience expertise to further the organization’s focus on simplifying complex processes for health plans and providers to improve the health of the healthcare system.

The company continues its upskilling and reskilling programs for its associates to ensure they are well-equipped to respond to the ever-evolving needs and demands of the industry. And its customers. They also recently launched Project CARE (Career Advancement and Real-World Exposure), a community outreach program in Iloilo aimed at empowering students from partner universities with essential skills for future employability at Carelon Global Solutions.  This project seeks to prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce by offering insights into the Healthcare BPO structures and services, enhancing their professional competencies, and providing practical career preparation opportunities.

The Healthcare Information and Management Services (HIMS) industry, which Carelon Global Solutions is a part of, represents 10 to 12% of the total global addressable market. A report from the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) showed that the market’s revenue grew by 10.3% to $32.5 billion in 2022. This growth has also presented a reliable source of job opportunities and helped drive the growth of the overall IT-BPM industry in the country–a significant contributor to the Philippines’ economic development.

Under the tutelage of Agcaoili, Carelon Global Solutions Philippines commits to maximize the growth of the industry by tapping and further nurturing the world-class Filipino workforce and aims to expand across the Philippines as part of its plan.

Currently, Carelon Global Solutions Philippines also expanded to four location sites in the country namely, GLAS Building in Ortigas, Alliance Global Tower in Taguig, and One Fintech and SM Strata in Iloilo City. But Agcaoili revealed that the expansion will continue beyond Metro Manila.

“The expansion plan of Carelon means more job opportunities for the Filipinos and the multiplying effect it has on the family will certainly help the Philippine economy,” Agocaoili pointed out.

The company said it has always considered the Filipino talent as a competitive edge because of their expertise in the healthcare field and unique brand of service, which combines knowledge and care in serving people. Carelon Global Solutions Philippines believes that Filipinos are helping advance healthcare globally, and it aims to continue to invest in the country’s talent pool.

To know more about Carelon Global Solutions Philippines and its services, visit its website at https://www.carelonglobal.ph/ or its Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lifeatcarelonph/) and LinkedIn (https://ph.linkedin.com/company/carelonglobalsolutionsphilippines) pages.

Gone are the days when women take the sideline, and men take the lead and women submit and follow. This typecasting has rapidly changed even before the advent of the digital renaissance takes place, as many women leaders already surfaced in unexpected times and situations not just locally but also globally.

Even in the diplomatic community in the Philippines, the landscape has changed a lot as many women ambassadors took the helm of their respective embassies and have been making a lot of impact in the country through their creative initiatives and focused activities such as media freedom, gender equality, equal job opportunity, health and mental health, public diplomacy, cultural activities, among others.

Empowered Women were not openly discussed before. As to whether it’s a product of gender bias or cultural infirmity, the fact remains women will always be there to stand up like men in times of adversity. Through the years, women have been at the forefront of change that needs to be done, whether in the family, community, or even in the workplace. These empowered women continuously disrupt the old norms, break the stereotypes, and create a difference in their own unique ways. 

Yesterday, March 8, the Italian Chamber of Commerce Philippines (ICCPI) and Global Women BPW Manila hosted the Women Lead Conference 2024 at Dusit Thani Manila wherein powerful testimonials from Filipino women leaders have become the source of courage and inspiration as the world celebrates International Women’s Day.

The roster of powerhouse women business leaders in the country with their unique experiences and stories to tell put everyone in awe as they shared their journeys from very diverse sectors such as media, transportation, communications, academe, medicine, health and wellness, and government, among others. The metamorphosis is commendable – from having a minuscule voice, these women challenge the status quo and exemplify as an inspiration to others. 

Start the lead with ‘grit’ 

Keynote speaker Charo Santos-Concio, Executive Consultant of ABS-CBN, emphasized the essentials of an empowered woman: self-determination, competence, meaning, impact; and lastly, constant reinvention. Reminiscing her childhood experiences, Santos-Concio shared how every moment in her served as its catalyst to where she is today. It was the unexpected driving force that was unimaginable for her to happen and achieve.

By making history as the first woman CEO of the country’s giant media company, ABS-CBN, she revealed how she was led to be a storyteller and served as a voice from a male-dominated industry by “championing the triumph of the human spirit” as well as touching the lives of “Filipinos from all walks of life” through her craft. She also hopes that women will continue to thrive by combining traits of hard work, grit, and determination in doing work “from love” in their own chosen fields.

Interesting women not just of form but more so of substance were given the spotlight through fireside chat, testimonials and panel discussions covering leadership, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and beauty to mental wellness, as well as embodying a modern woman.

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GCash CEO Martha Sazon shared that as a leader, it is important to be purpose-driven while epitomizing someone who has the traits of authenticity, entrepreneurial spirit, flexibility, and also empathy. She underscored the importance of honing skills and knowing the ‘why’ behind each endeavor being undertaken. Other speakers also highlighted the power of ‘saying no’, how a supportive partner can influence your progress, and the importance of embracing your unique self-worth not just as a woman but as an individual. 

Keeping a ‘Safe Space’ in the workplace

Meanwhile, celebrity lawyer and TV Host Atty. Gaby Concepcion, underscored the importance of creating a safe space in the workplace, whether in private or public. She noted that companies or institutions and company leaders or executives must take a conscious effort to ensure all women regardless of age are safe and protected from sexual harassment, whether verbal or non-verbal, discrimination, intimidation, and other gender bias practices.

She also cited the prevalence of sexual harassment in various educational institutions and pointed out that this should not be the case at the onset given the fact that the school is the second home, and must always be a safe haven for the students.

Atty. Concepcion also gave some valuable pointers to the audience, on how to thwart sexual harassment or gender-related violence in the workplace and continue to provide safe space for women by documenting, reporting, and ensuring that there is always harmony in the workplace. She believes that by doing so, it leads to productivity and a better society that fosters respect, camaraderie, and appreciation of one’s uniqueness and diversity.

Last but not least, Global Women BPW Manila head Rayla Allertsen, an educator by profession and well-loved teacher emphasized in the sideline interview when asked about what the Women Lead International Conference is to her and her fellow Filipina leaders and she said the complementing roles of men and women in society, citing her own relationship with her Italian husband, Hermod “Buster” Allertsen.

“We women are not in competition with men. Men and women, as how God created us must be there to support each other. They should lift each other, and not to “PH D” or Pull Her Down or Pull Him Down,” she emphasized.

If there’s one thing that should be remembered from all of the speakers’ insights, that would be to strive for excellence instead of chasing success! Everything is an unending process and lifelong learning that the schools don’t teach. To highlight, one of the panelists shared how she conquered cancer while remaining focused on her vision. Now, she’s making a legacy globally by sticking to her mission.

The heartwarming stories and practical insights I heard still resonate with me. While I am still young, being an empowered woman at my age and in the workplace which I call my home and haven, is a big blessing for me. I hope that one day I can also be an agent of inspiration to my fellow women and also to men. I am truly grateful and highly appreciate the opportunity to be immersed with such remarkable women with great mindsets, incredible attitudes, and powerful life-transforming stories.

As fate comes with faith within ourselves, may we continue to forge our own paths, draw straight from a crooked line, and manifest our vision into a purposeful mission while building an inclusive community. 

To all women out there, do not stop crafting your own destiny. Leave and ignore doubts, learn from the setbacks, and keep believing in yourself and your vision that in God’s appointed time it will take you to places where you are meant to be and make difference to others and in the society. As the old adage goes, “If it has to be, it is all up to me!”

The Philippine Business and News is a proud media partner of WOMEN LEAD 2024.

Happy International Women’s Month! 

#WomenLead2024
#InvestInWomen

By Alithea De Jesus

Disruptions brought by the coronavirus pandemic has a great impact not just in the daily lives of the people, but also in the economy as many businesses have been badly hit, not just in the Philippines but across the globe.

Many experts believe that the situation we are all in now calls for acceptance of the reality, adjustments of the strategies on the part of the business owners, and efficient communication of the brand or product we have. in order to keep our heads above the water.

Last July 30, TeamAsia organized a digital launch of its Integrated Marketing Experience approach, From Communication to Experience.

As brands navigate through this unprecedented time, they need to have a strategy — an approach that will help them be agile, adapt to the demands of the ‘now normal’, and provide value to their consumers. The COVID-19 health crisis continues to change the way consumers perceive the world, which also changes the way they interact with the brands around them. This calls for brands to rise to the challenge of discovering the best way to pivot into the reimagined future.

Being able to adapt to the new landscape starts with recognizing what consumers need, especially at this time — meaningful connections despite the restrictions of the community quarantine. TeamAsia, an award-winning marketing agency, does this through their Integrated Marketing Experience approach, or IME.

IME is TeamAsia’s proprietary strategic marketing approach that empowers consumers to actively take part in a brand’s story by engaging them across different channels.

Apart from that, this IME targets the right market and provides an efficient way to cascading the message in a timely manner using the right channel which was underscored by TeamAsia Managing Director Bea Lim.

“Staying connected now requires a more involved and experiential form of communication with consumers, and that’s what IME is all about. Our approach creates a more equal relationship between brands and consumers and uses multiple channels to deliver a brand’s message to the right people at the right time,” she explained.

TeamAsia recently trademarked and launched IME along with a roster of new projects that can help brands strengthen their connection with consumers. These projects leverage technology and utilize various digital platforms to take brands and their audiences to the next level of experience.

The Red Circle, TeamAsia’s online publication, provides readers with valuable insights from news and current affairs to the latest happenings in the lifestyle scene. It aspires to inform readers, and influence them in their decision-making, and encourage them to live better, brighter, and more meaningful lives. The agency also announced the second season of their very own podcast, B2B: Breakfast to Business. Season Two will focus on engaging and thought-provoking morning conversations about the stories and issues of today’s times, making the podcast space where people can “be in the know, and be in the now.”

Taking on the challenge of bringing offline experiences online, TeamAsia presented the Virtual Arena and TeamAsia Training Online. The Virtual Arena brings events and activations online, while TeamAsia Training Online provides upskilling sessions by industry experts for professional success, especially on effective communication and strategic leadership.

TeamAsia also announced the 12th year of My Dream in a Shoebox (MDIAS), their annual education campaign that equips less fortunate Filipino children with school supplies to help them reach for a brighter future. Because the incoming school year calls for a different set-up, MDIAS has aligned its campaign to address the needs of students for SY 2020-2021. Aside from school supplies and old shoeboxes, MDIAS will also be accepting donations for transistor radios and old tablets/tech that can help students navigate through the ‘now normal’ in education.

TeamAsia sees these various projects as ways to share impactful stories and create meaningful engagements, even in the future reimagined where physical contact is still limited.

In closing, TeamAsia founder and president, Monette Iturralde-Hamlin said, “In TeamAsia’s 28 years in the marketing and communications industry, we have always recognized the value of meaningful connections between brands and their audiences. This holds true especially now, and we remain committed to taking brands and their audiences to the next level experience and building these connections through our Integrated MarketingExperience approach.”

Learn more about how our Integrated Marketing Experience approach can take your brand to the next level. Connect with us at info@teamasia.com