Rappler and Rexona launch the Do More Awards

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Rappler partners with body care brand Rexona to launch the Do More Awards, an initiative that seeks to honor achievers from all walks of life. The announcement was made to several press representatives over lunch at the Las Flores restaurant in One McKinley Place, Bonifiacio Global City.

“What does it mean to do more? The essence of the Rexona Do More philosophy is really to take the time and effort to achieve your ultimate goal. It is time that Rexona acknowledges those who embody [it,]”  said Mar Corazo, Brand Manager for Rexona.

According to Corazo, Rexona agreed to partner with Rappler because of Rappler’s “very socially engaged market,” he added, “it is [the] involved citizens we want to engage when calling for nominations.”

Maria Ressa, Rappler’s CEO and executive editor, explained how social media can be a powerful tool in empowering an individual to create change. She used the #millionpeoplemarch event as an example of how one Facebook post was able to mobilize at least 100,000 to march for a single cause.

“That’s what we want — to show how technology enables us to do more,” she said.

Watch parts of their Corazo and Ressa’s speeches below.

The Rappler Do More Awards will honor 8 achievers, each of them falling under the following categories:

The Challenger. Someone who is fit in mind, body, and heart. An athlete who takes home the gold not just for any sport, but also for bringing positive change to the finish line.

The Artist. A performer and creator; on the stage, the canvas, the studio or the street — he or she must have gone beyond expression to be a source of inspiration.

The Innovator. One whose ingenuity has led to breakthroughs beyond novelty. The innovator finds inventive solutions — be it through technology, improving a system, or simplifying a process.

The Luminary. Someone who has gone beyond celebrity status to excel and explore other passions. Amidst the glare of the limelight and the cameras, he or she has elevated the craft into a profession of virtue.

The Social Entrepreneur. A business-savvy individual with a conscience; one who has resorted to sustainable methods not only for personal profit but also for social good. Someone who founded an enterprise to help a community using the resources available.

The Civic Hero. He or she is a person who led or inspired a movement for change in a community. Someone who has influenced both citizens and officials in shifting perspectives without expecting anything in return.

The Digital Trailblazer. One whose influence in social media and cyberspace is made more palpable by on-ground initiatives that have brought about greater good. Someone who has gone viral for a noble cause.

The Global Pinoy. Someone who has crossed borders to uplift the Filipino spirit. Whether a balikbayan or an expat, he or she has been actively sharing goodwill and fostering nationalism to the overseas Filipino community.

The finalists will be handpicked by a panel of 8, each of them exemplifying the essence of doing more:

 (in alphabetical order)

Apples Aberin, model and PR Head for Unilever PH’s Personal Care group

Apples Aberin is one of the country’s most beautiful faces. She broke into the spotlight by being a sought-after model in the 80s. Now a mom to two grown kids, she is still the media’s darling, juggling family life with her various roles as host, judge, endorser, and writer.

Apples transcends the industry she exists in by advocating for beauty that emanates from within. As the PR Head for Personal Care of Unilever Philippines, she strives to promote postive messages from the brand, creating not just patronage but inspiration and optimism for consumers.

Bam Aquino, Philippine senator

At 36, Bam is one of the youngest senators in the land, but he makes up for it with a commitment to serve beyond his his duties in congress. In 2007, he co-founded Microventures, Inc., a social enterprise that helps develop business opportunities for the poor. One of his programs, Hapinoy, is an award-winning, full-service micro-entrepreneur enhancement program that aims to help and train sari-sari store owners in the Philippines. The program has since earned Aquino worldwide acclaim.

Before running for office, Bam was appointed chairman of the National Youth Commission. In 2010, Aquino was one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men awardees. For 2011, he was the World Economic Forum’s Asian Social Entrepreneur of the Year. He was also named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World for 2012.

Jim Ayala, social entrepreneur

Jim is the founder of Hybrid Social Solutions, Inc. (HSSi) – a Filipino, public service-oriented company that distributes and services world class, innovative products. His main project is to bring solar power to isolated, off-grid communities located in coastal, mountainous and farming areas that do not have access to electricity.

Jim was a former Chief Executive at Ayala Land before realizing that his true calling lies in helping Filipinos in the farthest corners of the country. Through his efforts to do more, rural communities now gain access to basic development-oriented goods and services.

Carlos Celdran, tour guide and tourism consultant for the city of Manila

Carlos is a performance artist best known for his Walk This Way tours, which take locals and foreigners on an eye-opening walk around Intramuros and other Manila spots. The popularity of his tours have led him to be featured in Time, The Huffington Post, Forbes, and The New York Times.

As an engaging and informative storyteller, Carlos has done more by bringing back the public’s interest in the our capital’s rich history and culture. Last July 19, 2013, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada appointed him as the city’s tourism consultant.

Illac Diaz, sustainability advocate 

Illac is the Executive Director and Founder of MyShelter Foundation, Inc., a social enterprise that looks for sustainable housing solutions for homeless and the lack of infrastructure in developing countries. His projects include developing the use of bamboo and PET bottles for the construction of low-cost dwellings.

Illac is a Doer because he pursued higher knowledge to create solutions. Though he was already well-known for his modeling and acting stints, Illac decided take time off to pursue a Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM). He also finished degrees in Urban Planning at MIT-Boston and a Masters in Political Administration at Harvard.

Bianca Gonzalez, TV host and youth leader 

Bianca Gonzalez is the ultimate Doer – a TV and media personality who uses her celebrity position to empower the youth and promote education. A social advocate and proactive citizen, she was named one of 2012’s Young Global Shapers by the World Economic Forum.

Today, she continues to inspire the youth to become active citizens, using social media and internet tools at their disposal. On top of all this,she is to represent Rexona for the Unilever Personal Care Teenweek, appealing to the youth about the importance of confidence and the ability to DO MORE.

Marites Vitug, editor and investigative journalist

Marites is the founder and editor-in-chief of Newsbreak, an award-winning media organization specializing in investigative reporting. Through the power of her pen, she has brought scathing attention to some of the most corrupt profiles in the country. She chooses to do more by never backing down despite lawsuits slammed against her.

For her published work, Marites has won the Philippine National Book Award in journalism, as well as the Courage in Journalism award from the US-based International Women’s Media Foundation. TodayMarites heads the Journalism for Nation Building Foundation, a spin-off of Newsbreak. She is also Rappler.com’s editor-at-large.

Phil Younghusband, Azkals striker and football coach 

Phil Younghusband is a household name. His face graces billboards every few hundred meters along the highway, with good reason. Having previously played with the prestigious Chelsea FC, the British-Filipino plays for the Philippine Azkals and the Loyola Meralco Sparks Football Club.

Though already one of the top players in the country, he took things a step further by co-founding and coaching for the Younghusband Football Academy. With a level 2 UEFA coaching badge under his belt, Phil hopes to promote and develop young Filipinos’ skill and passion for the sport, ultimately spreading a deeper appreciation for football in the country. He embodies the Rexona philosophy through his efforts of training and supporting aspiring athletes – something the brand also advocates through its own initiatives.

The winner for each category will be determined via public vote hosted on Rappler.

Gina Lorenzana, Head for Personal Care at Unilever, closed the program. “[The award] is personal for me,” she says. She narrates how important role models were for her while growing up. According to Lorenzana, these role models inspired her to do more.

Nominate now for the Do More Awards until Sept 28, 2013. Visit www.rappler.com/domoreawards to learn more about the categories and nomination mechanics. – Rappler.com