QC LGU, Megaworld, Ayala lead winners at 59th Grand Anvil Awards
THE local government unit (LGU) of Quezon City, Megaworld Corp. and Ayala Corp. emerged as the top winners at the 59th Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal, held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport City, Pasay recently.
This year, the board of jurors unanimously decided to award two Grand Anvil winners with the highest Anvil Award given to public relations (PR) programs bestowed upon both the Quezon City LGU and Megaworld Corp.
Meanwhile, Ayala Corp. was awarded a Platinum Anvil, the highest Anvil Award given to public relations tools. Winning the Grand Anvil for the Gender and Development Council of Quezon City and Mullen Lowe Marc under the Government Relations Category was a gender advocacy campaign, titled “Quezon City kickstarts a widespread advocacy for the right to care.” Another Grand Anvil was awarded to Megaworld Corp. for its ME Green campaign, Megaworld’s “Green starts with me” sustainability program.
Ayala Corp., on the other hand, received a Platinum Anvil for the company’s publication, A Life, the Ayala Group’s digital magazine.
Two international PR professionals — Jaffri Amin Osman, Asia-Pacific chairman at Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management, based in Switzerland; and Prita Kemal Gani, president of the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) PR Network — were awarded Global Communication Excellence Awards for their notable achievements in the field of international public relations.
The Gabi ng Parangal culminated with the awarding of the Agency of the Year award to DDB Group Philippines and the Company of the Year to PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc.
Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), the Anvil Awards has served as the symbol of excellence in PR, awarded to outstanding PR programs, tools and professionals after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a
distinguished multisectoral jury.
This year’s board of jurors was composed of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Taylor’s University head of School of Media and Communications Prema Ponnudurai, Vietnam Public Relations Network Chairman Nguyen Khoa My, McDonald’s Philippines Managing Director Margot Torres and Saga Events Founder Robby Carmona.
This year, 480 entries received from 100 companies went through a three-step evaluation process of screening and online assessment by a board of judges, composed of respected and experienced communication professionals, representing business, government, the academe and civil society.
It culminated in an en banc deliberation by a board of jurors, led by Herminio “Sonny” Coloma Jr., Manila Bulletin publisher and former secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, to determine the winners of the major awards.
“Two Grand Anvil winners provide highly exemplary models for emulation by organizations aspiring for excellence in the spheres of private enterprise and public governance. Their purposive determination to propagate the common good deserves commendation,” said Coloma.
SyCip Gorres Velayo & Co. (SGV & Co.) served as the official tabulator throughout the Anvil Awards judging process.
Rossana Fajardo, SGV & Co. consulting leader and EY Asean business consulting leader, said: “As the independent tabulator for the 59th Anvil Awards, SGV & Co. is pleased to play a role in celebrating the outstanding achievements of practitioners in the country’s public relations industry. We support the PRSP and the Anvil Awards’ goals, which are consistent with our commitment to fostering innovation and SGV’s purpose of nurturing leaders and enabling businesses for a better Philippines.”
Anvil Awards were received by 179 entries, of which 28 were Gold Anvil Awards recipients while 151 received Silver Anvil Awards.
Congratulating the winners of the 59th Anvil Awards, PRSP President Harold Geronimo APR (accredited in public relations) remarked, “Your outstanding PR programs and tools prove that the local PR practice thrives and continually makes itself relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the times.”
59th Anvil Awards Chairman Leah Huang, who has also been serving as the managing director for PR and Influence at Ogilvy Philippines, said: “It was a proud evening as we celebrated the diverse body of public relations work representative of PR’s ongoing evolution. Now, more than ever before, the value that PR brings to the table is clear. Building trust and credibility, PR campaigns and tools catalyze resharing among influencers and audiences, creating a ripple effect that can influence opinions, shift perceptions, move audiences to action, encourage support for change, and generally make life better for individuals, corporations and communities.”
PRSP thanked its partners, Hotel Okura and Glimsol Web and Digital Solutions, hotel partner and technology partner, respectively, of the 59th Anvil Awards.
It also thanked its sponsors and media partners without whom the Gabi ng Parangal would not have been possible: San Miguel Corp. (copresenter); Ayala Corp., Pag-IBIG Fund and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (major sponsors); Aboitiz Power Corp., AirAsia, Citicore Renewable Energy Corp., DDB Group Philippines, Megawide Construction Corp., Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Ogilvy, Smart Communications Inc., Sun Life Philippines (minor sponsors); and media partners Business World Publishing Corp., Daily Tribune, GMA Network Inc., Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., The Manila Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer and the Philippine Star.
Presented annually by the Public Relations Society of the Philippines, the Anvil Awards has served as the symbol of excellence in public relations (PR), awarded to outstanding PR programs, tools and professionals after careful screening by select PR professionals and judging by a distinguished multisectoral jury.