The finalists of Cebuana Lhuillier’s Happiest Pinoy are finally announced! After the mini-presscon that was held recently, I cannot imagine being in the shoes of the judges. All of them have their own story to tell, and are already a winners in their own respective rights.
Imagine having to comb through almost 800,000 applications for the search of the Happiest Pinoy! That’s a lot! Contenders are now trimmed to its top 10!
Allow me to introduce the Top 10 Happiest Pinoy Finalists:
- Khaye Celine Maggay (youth) – A University of Makati student, taking up Accountancy. She’s born with “Complex Syndactyly.” Suffered bullying growing up because of this condition.
- Francisca Tumampil (senior citizens) – Married with adult children, with her eldest being mentally challenged. She also served as a teacher for 29 years. She continues to volunteer in the community of senior citizens.
- Hercules Soringa (manggagawang Pinoy) – Life story was featured in MMK, entitled, “Alkansya.” His son succumbed to his congential heart disease after undergoing surgeries.
- Fortunato Januto (overseas Filipino workers) – Worked as an OFW in war-torn Iraq.
- Rodrigo Roble, Jr. (lingkod bayan) – Born poor, Rodrigo Jr. took it upon himself to make a difference in the society, with exceptioal projects under his sleeves, he continues to spread positivity and hope in the circle of his influence.
- Zaldy Bueno (professionals) – Zaldy was a working student and did odd jobs before he finished school. He graduated in DepEd’s Alternative Learning System. He now has his own car, motorycyle, tricycle, and has earned the most sought after award in the teaching field.
- Mark David Cerezo (entrepreneurs) – Artist and Founder of Pinoy Malikhain, an advocacy for the youth. As a former street kid himself, Mark is giving back as he heads this organization in serving abandoned street children through arts, entertainment and puppet shows.
- Alfred Santos (employees) – Alfred grew up poor and used to peddle products in his neighborhood. He is now currently employed as a Marketing Officer at OLM Institute and Skills Training Center for Allied Courses, Inc.
- Jayson Dela Fuente (persons with disabilities) – Jayson was not limited by his Polio, not his family’s financial constraints – he graduated class valedictorian. He graduated Cum Laude at La Consolation College and is currently working on his doctoral degree.
- Leovy John Terrado (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community) – Finished a vocational course and is his family’s breadwinner.
Each finalist will receive P50,000 and will go through a panel interview to determine the Happiest Pinoy 2019 grand winner who is set to take home P1 million tax-free.
Search for the Happiest Pinoy names 10 category winners, P1 million awaits grand winner
The panel of judges is led by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya; Rock Education Project Inc. founder Gang Badoy Capati; Enterph co-founder and motivational speaker RJ Ledesma; TV host, journalist and online influencer James Deakin; TV host Love Anover-Lianko; The Apprentice Asia winner and JY Consultancy and Ventures founder and managing director Jonathan Yabut; and Search for the Happiest Pinoy previous grand winners Winston Maxino, Rommel Arellano, and Richardson Navor.
Q&A with the Top 10 finalists
Stay tuned as we announce who the Grand Winner of the Search for the Happiest Pinoy will be and will be newest Happiest Pinoy! I salute Cebuana Lhuillier in its thrust to call forth this Pinoy characteristic of being resilient, our ability to face life’s challenges with optimism despite the many trials we face is nothing short of amazing. Yes, I’m proud to be Pinoy!