CIMB Bank Philippines celebrated the finale of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards 2024, unveiling the inaugural batch of winners during an awards night held at the Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati. This event marked the culmination of a months-long search for inspiring stories of Filipinos who have transformed adversities into successes, making a positive impact and serving as inspirations to many.
The inspiring lineup of nominees all exemplified unparalleled courage, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity. Of the 10 nominees, three individuals truly shined, with Marlon Fuentes, Phoebe Fructuoso, and Jerico Ramota being hailed as the first-ever winners of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards.
Marlon Fuentes is a ride-hailing app driver living with Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder that has no cure. Every day, he faces not only the physical challenges brought about by his condition, but the societal discrimination that comes with it as well. However, what truly makes him the epitome of a Pinoy Maverick is the way he bravely faces each day, always choosing to prove that he can overcome any obstacle thrown his way day in and day out. This is because just like all parents, he simply wants to be able to provide for his family’s needs and give them the most comfortable life he can manage. This shows the true strength of his character, making him a true inspiration for others who also face daily struggles and still choose to fight back. To pay it forward, a portion of his winnings will be donated to his chosen charity organization, Bahay Kalinga.
Another maverick that faced adversity head-on and showed immense character growth is Phoebe Fructuoso, who became a victim of sexual violence at a young age. What truly made her story remarkable is her courage to share with the world that she is a gang rape survivor that is now using her own voice to empower the voiceless and spread awareness about rape culture and gender-based violence. She did not let the fear of being judged by society deter her from being of help to others, especially for other sexual abuse victims who are too afraid to stand up for themselves. She bravely wears her scars as a fully healed survivor and is admirable for rising above her trauma and turning it into a worthy cause. With her winnings, she will continue to raise the voices of the abused and put their welfare to the fore through the organization PAVE (Promoting Awareness & Victors’ Empowerment).
Jerico Ramota is a simple Filipino who does extraordinary things. He has always been more than willing to be of help to others, but what made his story stand out from the rest is how he, despite having nothing much to give, still finds ways to support his community. He is recognized for his admirable work with his ‘Rolling Bayanihan’ initiative, helping make sure that those in his community without food are able to eat and won’t go hungry. This is a genuine example of his unwavering commitment to help. The impact of his efforts also cannot be underestimated, as it created tangible ripples of change in the lives of the people he helped. Many of the people whose lives he touched also started to find ways to help their own communities in whatever way they can and freely volunteer their own time and resources. He hopes to continue inspiring many more people in his community and beyond to continue being kind and keep paying it forward. He plans to support the Manila Boys Town with his winnings, which is a residential care center for the homeless and underprivileged in Marikina.
Each of the three winners received a grand prize of P200,000.00, half of which will be shared with their chosen beneficiary, so that they may continue paying it forward to deserving communities. Three runners up were also awarded P50,000.00 each in recognition of their remarkable efforts: breast cancer survivor, fitness advocate, and Move Beyond Cancer founder April Perreras; MK Bertulfo, founder of Filipina Homebased Moms, a community that helps mothers find remote work opportunities amidst financial struggles; and Erline Maniquis, better known as Deafinitely Beautiful, who educates people on the deaf spectrum and sign language.
"CIMB is proud to recognize these exceptional individuals who have not only overcome personal challenges but have also made significant contributions to their communities. All Pinoy Mavericks Awards nominees have inspiring stories, but three really stood out and inspired us more," said Vijay Manoharan, CEO of CIMB Bank Philippines. "From Marlon Fuentes and his incredible daily battle to overcome his Tourette syndrome despite facing discrimination, to Phoebe Fructuoso and her admirable courage to speak up about an issue that society often shies away from, and to Jerico Ramota and the immense impact he has on his community through whole-heartedly helping in any way he can – all these stories are a testament to the strength of the Filipino spirit, and we are honored to amplify the good that they are doing. We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories in the future that will motivate even more Filipinos to live their purpose and reach their full potential.”
The awards night featured entertainment, inspiring speeches, and a sense of camaraderie as attendees celebrated the achievements of the winners. The event underscored the importance of community, resilience, and the power of storytelling in driving positive change.
"The inaugural run of the Pinoy Mavericks Awards is our way to look beyond what a bank usually does and find ways to make a positive impact on society. We are grateful for all the nominees who bravely shared their stories, and we hope to continue motivating others through this program in the years to come." said D’Artagnan Aguilar, Chief Marketing Officer, CIMB Bank Philippines.
The CIMB Pinoy Mavericks Awards is part of the Bank’s mission to promote financial inclusion and empower Filipinos to live their purpose and overcome barriers to success. Through these stories of overcoming adversity, CIMB hopes to inspire Filipinos to reach their life goals and support them by providing innovative digital banking solutions and services.