Official Launch of Asia Leaders Awards 2021

May 20, 2021–   The Official Launch of Asia Leaders Awards with a Press Conference was held with selected awards committee, honourees and media on attendance.

Dr. Elton See Tan, Avin Ong, Harvey Ong, Grace Bondad Nicolas, Rick Sobreviñas, Tan Yu III

Grace Bondad Nicolas and Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez

Asia Leaders Awards theme for this year is Hope and Optimism. Choosing leaders who are shining more in times of pandemic through their Corporate Social Responsibilities to reach out to those even beyond their communities. These are from the business sector and the committee chose some public officials who are also doing their job but making a difference. Those who are not afraid to fold their sleeves and help out.

Chairman Rick Sobreviñas of American Association of the Philippines announced the two honourees from the academe; Historian Ambet Ocampo and Ron Mendoza of Ateneo De Manila University.

Rick Sobrevinas, American Association of the Philippines

“Ron Mendoza is the Head of the School of Government at the Ateneo, MPA from Harvard and PhD in Economics from Fordham University. Before this, he was the Head of the Development Department at AIM, responsible for 40% of all the research publications of all the Professors at AIM, truly exceptional educator.”- Rick Sobreviñas

The Press Conference was attended by the two young leaders of this generation; Avin Ong of Fredley Group of Companies with their famous Macao Imperial Tea and Harvey Ong of Alfamart.

When asked how did Macao Imperial Tea managed to keep the business strong despite the pandemic: 

“You have to be creative, innovative, adaptable to change.” --- Mr. Avin Ong, Fredley Group of Companies. 

Avin Ong, Macao Imperial Tea

On the other hand, COO Harvey Ong, shared an overwhelming story. Going to work during the first days of the pandemic, Harvey chanced upon one of their Alfamart employees, walking on the streets, full of sweat. He has been walking for 3 hours already when he saw him. He asked the employee, why not just file a leave for that day, The employee answered: "our team needs me to be there."

Harvey Ong, Alfamart

Awards committee in attendance during the launch were:
Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez, Makati Tourism Foundation Secretary General Tan Yu III, BNI Premier President and Filipino Chinese Chamber of the Philippines Vice President Dr. Elton See Tan, Rick Sobreviñas and Grace Bondad Nicolas of American Association of the Philippines.

 

Asia Leaders Awards is the largest business awards event in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. It is the only acknowledgment and recognition giving body with organisations and embassies as part of the awards committee, its purpose is to promote the Philippines as a premier business hub in Asia and beyond. The event is considered a must-attend occasion for business and government leaders across the nation and beyond.

 

Major sponsors include: Grab, J&T Express, Asian Tigers Mobility, AsiaPrime Corporation, Jollibee Group, Eastern Communication, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc, Alfamart, Fredley Group of Companies and Frontrow Enterprise.

 

See full background and history of Asia Leaders Awards at www.asialeadersawards.asia