14 leaders feted with CEO EXCEL Award

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen distinguished leaders from government, business and academe, including The Philippine STAR’s president and CEO Miguel Belmonte, were awarded the 2015 CEO (Communication Excellence in Organizations) EXCEL Award by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines in a ceremony at the Hotel InterContinental on Monday evening.

The 14 personalities, recognized for their excellent and innovative use of strategic communication in their programs and projects, were: Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr.; DHL Express Philippines country manager Nurhayati Adbullah; The Philippine STAR Media Group president and CEO Belmonte; Philippine Veterans Bank chairman and CEO Roberto de Ocampo, OBE; Social Security System (SSS) president and CEO Emilio de Quiros Jr.; Unilever Philippines chairman and CEO Rohit Jawa; MediaQuest Holdings Inc. president and CEO Emmanuel Lorenzana; Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and CEO Cristino Naguiat Jr.; Environment Secretary Ramon Paje; Palafox Architecture Group Inc. president Felino Palafox Jr.; University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Mass Communication dean Elena Pernia; Sen. Grace Poe; Government Service Insurance System president and GM Robert Vergara; and Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. president and CEO Manuel Paolo Villar.

The 14 leaders join a roster of standout communicators given the CEO EXCEL Awards by the IABC Philippines since 2005.

CEO EXCEL is the honor program of the organization for top-level executives, CEOs and organization leaders in the country.

IABC Philippines president Kane Errol Choa, in his opening speech, described the winners as “rock stars” of communication for their effective and efficient use of communication in their respective organizations.

“The term ‘rock star’ is also used to describe someone who is influential, has won the admiration of many, contributed much in his or her field and will be remembered by generations. To be one, you have to embrace change, champion excellence and value your people,” he said.

Likewise, 2015 CEO EXCEL Awards Committee chairman Joe Zaldarriaga emphasized the importance of innovation in the world of business and communication.

“Innovation works hand in hand with progress, with success. It serves as a map that leads organizations to achieve its goals and targets. It also helps build and strengthen the relationship of companies with all its stakeholders by introducing value-adding out-of-the-box solutions. It is also considered as a tool to help solve problems, resolve crisis and ultimately uphold the company’s reputation,” he said.

Meanwhile, in remarks upon receiving his CEO EXCEL Award, Belmonte said, “It’s not easy managing a newspaper company in today’s digital world. But I am happy to say that The Philippine STAR Media Group has done quite well in further building its core business while simultaneously exploring new forms of media for content distribution.”

Aside from conferring the awards, IABC Philippines also launched its new logo, as well as its new website, www.iabcphilippines.com. Choa said the logo, composed of a green circle emblazoned by the acronym of the organization, symbolizes IABC’s global reach, its values of transparency, connection and community, and its modern and progressive approach to communication.

IABC Philippines is the first chapter of the global International Association of Business Communicators outside of North America. Its members include the best marketing, public relations and corporate communication practitioners across different industries in both private and public sectors.

Aside from the CEO EXCEL Awards, IABC Philippines also confers the annual Philippine Quill and Student Quill Awards.