Respected entrepreneur and aspiring Olongapo City mayoralty candidate Arnold Vegafria was feted with the Humanitarian Influencer of the Year Award at the recently held HyperLive Impact Influencer Festival and Awards 2025, held at the Grand Ballroom of the Magellan Sutera, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia last March 9.

The event, a gathering of the world’s most influential digital creators, visionary entrepreneurs, and inspiring achievers, aims to spark meaningful change, empower communities, and promote Sabah’s tourism industry to the global forefront.

The festive gathering was attended by luminaries from Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. Some of Malaysia’s top officials, dignitaries, and a bevy of celebrities, beauty queens, and musical performers were special guests.

The award recognizes Vegafria’s humanitarian advocacies and charity efforts over the past years, particularly those aligned with his organization’s various projects, including pageants, concerts, showbiz and sporting events, and even public service/philanthropic efforts.

Recognized as one of the local showbiz industry’s prime movers, Vegafria has worn many hats: talent manager, TV, concert, and movie producer, advertising and PR magnate, events producer, pageant owner, and political advisor. He is currently running for mayor in his hometown of Olongapo City.

He says, “I am greatly honored to have been recognized by our Asian neighbors for my humanitarian advocacies. I thank everyone who shares my vision for charity and social responsibility.”

“I would like to thank Sean Wong, chairman of HyperLive Entertainment, the event's organizer, for this recognition, and for ensuring representation from the Philippines for this prestigious event.”

“I dedicate this award to my hardworking team from my ALV Group of Companies, my artists and talents, my pageant queens, athletes, the politicians we actively campaigned for and supported, as well as our clients and partner brands who have shared our vision for our advocacies and charities over the years.”

“I also dedicate this award to the people of Olongapo City who believe in my vision for public service and have encouraged me to run for mayor in the coming elections.”

“With this award, I hope to continue to inspire my constituents through this humble achievement, and empower me even more to extend my humanitarian efforts to the people who need them most, and to those who dream of bringing back the glory of our beloved city.”

While in Malaysia, Vegafria also openly expressed his admiration for Sabah’s booming tourism industry. He remarked, "Sabah has made remarkable progress with its tourism infrastructures. The Malaysian state and its adjoining cities are modernized, making it at par with its other progressive Asian neighbors. I won’t be surprised if Sabah becomes one of Asia's most visited tourist destinations in the coming years.”