VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — Happiest Pinoy, Cebuana Lhuillier’s flagship advocacy celebrating Filipino resilience, optimism, and joy, has been named a Bronze Stevie® Winner for Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility at the 23rd Annual International Business Awards®.
Known as the “International Stevies,” the awards are among the world’s major business honors, drawing more than 3,400 nominations from organizations across 82 nations and territories. More than 210 professionals evaluated winners across 11 specialized judging panels.
For Jean Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, the recognition underscores the role of optimism in creating meaningful social impact. “Happiest Pinoy was built on a simple belief: that optimism is not just a mindset, but a powerful force that can shape communities and inspire action. By celebrating the everyday ways Filipinos choose hope and happiness, we hope to spark a ripple effect, one that encourages more people to lift each other up and see the possibilities ahead.”
The 2025 search drew more than 500,000 entries nationwide, expanding its categories to celebrate the many faces of Filipino joy—from upbeat Gen Zs and inspiring seniors to persons with disabilities, OFWs, entrepreneurs, artists, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA+ advocates, and everyday Ka-Cebuanas whose stories show that happiness can be found in every generation, community, and walk of life.
Happiest Pinoy also moved beyond a traditional competition through a nationwide roadshow that brought the advocacy directly to communities. Cebuana Lhuillier engaged student leaders, school heads, local tourism champions, media partners, local government representatives, and marginalized sectors, widening participation and creating opportunities for more Filipinos to share their stories. Entries were accepted online, through video, and at Cebuana Lhuillier branches, making the search accessible to Filipinos across the country.
A distinguished panel of judges from government, business, sports, media, and social development brought together diverse experiences and perspectives on overcoming challenges and making a difference in others’ lives. Together, they assessed the finalists not only for their resilience and optimism, but also for the impact, authenticity, and purpose behind their stories.
Zacarias Mansing Jr., a literacy and disability inclusion advocate, emerged as the overall winner from among 10 national category winners, taking home the ₱500,000 grand prize. After an accident left him paralyzed, Mansing transformed his experience into a mission to advance literacy and disability inclusion, reaching more than 50,000 students across 300 remote public schools in Negros Oriental through his Books for Kids Project.
The advocacy has recently expanded into the digital space through #SimpleJoysPH, turning the celebration of happiness into an ongoing movement that can be experienced and shared year-round. Across online platforms, people celebrate the moments that make life meaningful like family milestones and personal wins to simple acts of kindness. Building on the spirit of Happiest Pinoy, #SimpleJoysPH takes the celebration beyond the annual competition, creating more ways to express and inspire everyday joy through meaningful stories, a songwriting contest, and a dance challenge.
The Bronze Stevie® recognizes Happiest Pinoy’s evolution from an annual search into a broader advocacy, one that continues to reach more Filipinos, amplify stories of strength and purpose, and celebrate the everyday optimism that makes the Filipino spirit shine.
Started in 1927, the Philippines Graphic is the longest-running printed magazine of national circulation that provides relevant news and features and promotes Philippine literature.
