Sen. Bam Aquino leads jury in choosing 5th Jollibee Family Values Awards winners

The complete 5th JFVA panel of judges: (sitting, from left) Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Harvey Ong, Rep. Leni Robredo, Sen. Bam Aquino, Audrey Tan-Zubiri, Jollibee ambassador Carmina Villaroel-Legaspi, Belen Rillo, Ruth Angeles, (standing, from left) Atty. Adel Tamano, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares (represented by son, Brian), Fr. Tito Caluag, S.J., Winnie Monsod, Ma. Isabel Dionisio, Francis Flores, and Edric Mendoza.

An esteemed board of judges, composed of some of the country’s leading personalities from various endeavors and disciplines, has handpicked six Filipino families to be recognized in the 5th Jollibee Family Values Awards (JFVA), the annual recognition program for exemplary families by the leading fast food chain.

The winners of this year’s JFVA – including the recipients of the special citations - will be feted during the Gabi Ng Parangal para sa Pamilyang Pilipino slated on September 24 at the PICC Plenary Hall. During the deliberations held at the Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria, this year’s judges had the challenging task of choosing the awardees from a pool of 15 families whose advocacies stood out for their relevance and significant impact to their communities.

5th JFVA jury chairman Senator Bam Aquino addresses
a concern during the finalists’ deliberations.

Serving as chairman of the board for this year’s JFVA was Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, who is a known advocate of social change and helping and empowering the poor. He believes the inspiring stories of the JFVA families can help change a persistent mindset. “These days, people tend to be cynical, but there are times when it’s good to also remind ourselves that kindness and family values are still present in our society.”

Winnie Monsod poses a question during the deliberations of the families’ advocacies.

A new addition to the board of judges, Solita “Winnie” Monsod shared her experience as both judge and admirer of JFVA’s exemplary families. “When I saw the list of families and their contributions to the Philippines, it restored my faith in the Filipino people. There are families who will do these things for the community out of love and without having to ask for help and it was very inspiring,” she said.

Jollibee Philippines VP for Marketing Harvey Ong with fellow judges Ma. Isabel Dionisio (center), and columnist and children’s advocate Audrey Tan-Zubiri after the deliberations.

Completing the 15-member JFVA panel are Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares represented by her son Brian Poe Llamanzares, Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, veteran actress and MOWELFUND Trustee and President Boots Anson-Rodrigo, actress and Jollibee ambassador Carmina Villaroel-Legaspi, columnist and children’s advocate Audrey Tan-Zubiri, ANC news anchor Edric Mendoza, parenting and relationship consultant Ma. Isabel Dionisio, Coca-Cola Corporation Public Affairs and Communications Director Atty. Adel Tamano, ABS-CBN chaplain and Public Service Integration consultant Fr. Carmelo “Tito” Caluag, S.J. Jollibee Global Brand CMO Francis Flores, Jollibee Group Foundation VP Belen Rillo, Jollibee Philippines’ VP for Marketing Harvey Ong, and VP for Human Resources Ruth Angeles.

(From left) ABS-CBN chaplain and Public Service Integration consultant Fr. Tito Caluag, S.J., Coca-Cola Corporation Public Affairs and Communications Director Atty. Adel Tamano, and ANC news anchor Edric Mendoza have been part of the JFVA Board of Judges in the past years.

The five exemplary families and one OFW family will receive a cash prize of P300,000, a trophy designed by renowned sculptor Michael Cacnio, and P10,000 worth of Jollibee gift certificates. Special citations will also be bestowed to families who promote the following advocacies as endorsed by the citation partners: Education (co-presented with National Bookstore), Environment (Landbank), Children (Children’s Hour and San Miguel-Purefoods), PWDs (National Council on Disability Affairs - NCDA), and Minority Groups (Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas - KATRIBU).

The 5th Jollibee Family Values Awards is made possible with the support of major sponsor Coca-Cola, official airline partner Cebu Pacific, official hotel partners Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn, media partner The Philippine Star, and other sponsors Business World, SM Cyberzone, Inewvation, LG, Hunts Tomato Sauce, Great Taste, Magic Crackers and Cream-O. Citation Partners are National Bookstore, Landbank, San Miguel-Purefoods, Children’s Hour, NCDA, and KATRIBU.