AGC Power Holdings Corp. Celebrates Excellence at the LEAD Awards 2026

AGC Power Holdings Corp. honored its people, brands, teams, and companies at the recent LEAD Awards 2026, a morning celebration dedicated to recognizing excellence, resilience, leadership, and the people behind the Group’s continued growth.

With the theme “The Golden Standard for Filipino Media Excellence,” the LEAD Awards 2026 served as a meaningful pause for the organization to look back on a year defined by transformation, discipline, creativity, and collaboration.

More than an awards ceremony, the event became a reflection of AGC Power Holdings Corp.’s commitment to building a stronger, more future-ready media and marketing ecosystem—one led by people who continue to raise the standard of Filipino creativity, publishing, storytelling, events, and brand leadership.

In his opening remarks, Archie G. Carrasco, Chairman and CEO of AGC Power Holdings Corp., emphasized that leadership within the organization is not defined by rank alone, but by accountability, initiative, professionalism, and the willingness to move the company forward.

“Leadership in AGC is not defined by rank alone. It is seen in accountability, in initiative, in how you support your teammates, in how you solve problems, and in how you choose professionalism even when things get difficult. The LEAD Awards remind us that excellence is not a one-time achievement. It is a daily discipline. It is the standard we choose, even when no one is watching.”

The LEAD Awards recognized outstanding achievements across AGC Power Holdings Corp.’s brands, departments, and companies. Each winner represented a different expression of excellence—creative impact, market leadership, operational strength, and team execution.

Beyond achievements measured within the year, AGC PHC also honored the individuals whose years of dedication have helped shape the company’s journey. 

5-year service awardees include Mairen Buan, Head of Human Resources, Brent Castro, Events Creative Manager of AGC PHC Events Production, Ruffa Dela Pena, Sr. General Accounting Associate of AGC PHC Finance Department, Kenneth Dimaano, Media Channels Manager of  Modern Media Group Inc., Jacs Sampayan, Managing Editor of Vogue Philippines, Brien Lennald Ventura, Jr. Art Director, MEGA, and  Nainine Buenaobra, Billing, Credit, and Collections Manager, AGC PHC Finance Department, for her remarkable 10 years of tenure.

These service awardees represent commitment, loyalty, and the quiet consistency that sustains growth over time.

The Excellence Awards recognize individuals whose work consistently elevates their teams, their brands, and the broader mission of AGC PHC, with each honoree embodying a standard of excellence in their respective fields.

Excellence Awardee for Video Editing: Jomar Solania, Video Editor, Modern Media Group’s Media Channels

Solania transforms video editing into purposeful storytelling, shaping rhythm, emotion, and narrative with precise restraint across major media brands including Billboard Philippines, Rolling Stone Philippines, Robb Report Philippines, and The GAME, creating work that compels, moves, and leaves a lasting impression.

Excellence Awardee for Art Direction: Jann Pascua, Art Director, Vogue Philippines

Pascua, a three-time TOEY (Ten Outstanding Employee of the Year) Awardee (2019, 2021, 2023), defines art direction through a deeply intentional and refined visual language where every detail—color, type, image, and space—works in harmony to shape clarity, emotion, and editorial meaning, creating work that feels not just seen, but truly understood.

Excellence Awardee for Editorial Content: Kerry Tinga, Chief of Editorial Content, Lifestyle Asia

Tinga exemplifies editorial leadership through the thoughtful reimagining of Lifestyle Asia—balancing respect for its legacy with the courage to evolve it into a renewed platform that honors its heritage while advancing the vision first imagined by its late founder Sari Yap.

Excellence Awardee for Sales and Account Management: Sam Ayson, Account Manager, Modern Media Group Inc.

Ayson demonstrates excellence in sales and account management through his ability to build trust, create opportunity, and sustain long-term partnerships—securing one of the organization’s most significant accounts in 2025 and achieving the highest sales performance across all subsidiaries, driven by strategic discipline, consistency, and client relationships that continue to last.

Excellence Awardee for Fashion Direction: Pam Quiñones, Fashion Director and Deputy Editor, Vogue Philippines

Quiñones sets the standard in fashion direction through a distinct creative vision that shapes, rather than follows, trends—transforming culture into fashion and fashion into narrative with clarity, instinct, and editorial precision.

Excellence Awardee for Copywriting: Francis Cruz, Senior Copywriter, AGC PHC Events Department

Cruz embodies discipline and heart in copywriting through her mastery of voice, tone, and intention, crafting nearly a hundred event scripts in a year with consistency and care—each one shaped not just to inform, but to move people, capture emotion, and give every moment its meaning.

Excellence Awardee for Digital Editing: Don Jaucian, Features Editor, Rolling Stone Philippines

Jaucian has shaped Rolling Stone Philippines’ digital presence with thoughtful, audience-driven storytelling rooted in cultural awareness and editorial instinct, creating work that not only engages readers but resonates with them on a deeper level—making each content feel timely, intentional, and meaningfully connected to the audience it serves.

Excellence Awardee for Creative Services: Danyl Geneciran, Vogue Man Editor and Creative Services Consulting Creative Director of Mega Global Group Inc.

Geneciran bridges editorial sophistication and client-focused creativity, consistently elevating brand work beyond the brief while building deep trust with clients through clarity, collaboration, and a strong visual and narrative sensibility—ensuring they feel heard, understood, and genuinely inspired by the creative process and outcome.

Excellence Awardee for Business Growth: Thea So, Business Growth and Expansion Manager, AGC PHC Business Growth

So brings a quiet strength to business growth—leading with foresight, navigating complex responsibilities with composure, and building meaningful partnerships that not only deliver value and savings, but reflect a deeper commitment to thoughtful, long-term impact for the organization.

Excellence Awardee for Event Management: KJ Villanueva, Events Manager, AGC PHC

Villanueva brings events to life with discipline, precision, and unwavering consistency across brands and audiences, shaping seamless experiences even in the most complex productions—culminating in Filipino-led work that has reached international stages such as Paris, and reflecting a deep commitment to excellence that is felt long after the moment has passed.

The program moved into a showcase of creative work that shaped conversations, influenced audiences, and reflected the evolving voice of AGC PHC’s media brands. From editorial storytelling to visual direction, the awards highlighted the strength of ideas brought to life with clarity, intention, and craft.

Video Show of the Year: VMAN Access: The Boys of PBB: Who’s Most Likely To

VMAN Southeast Asia’s VMAN Access: The Boys of PBB achieved exceptional organic viewership through culturally relevant, highly engaging content that naturally connected with audiences and earned attention through authenticity, timing, and strong audience resonance.

Cover of the Year: VMAN Southeast Asia’s Spring Fashion Issue

VMAN Southeast Asia was named Cover of the Year for its SB19 cover, a milestone that captured both cultural relevance and commercial strength.

The cover stood out not only for its creative execution, but also for its strong connection to Filipino pop culture and fandom. Featuring SB19, one of the most influential P-pop groups today, the issue reflected the power of Filipino talent, visual storytelling, and regional publishing.

This recognition affirms VMAN Southeast Asia’s growing position as a platform for fashion, music, masculinity, culture, and the evolving identity of the modern Southeast Asian man.

The spotlight then turned to campaigns that not only captured attention, but sustained engagement—demonstrating how creativity, strategy, and audience understanding come together to build meaningful brand moments.

Campaign of the Year (Regular Asset): MEGA BeautyCon 2025

MEGA BeautyCon 2025 evolved into a powerful, large-scale consumer platform that bridges brands and audiences, driving over 25,000 in foot traffic and delivering strong commercial performance anchored on sustained engagement, relevance, and measurable business impact.

Campaign of the Year (New Asset): Billboard Philippines X

Billboard Philippines X redefined the Billboard brand through a flexible, bespoke platform that enables tailored collaborations with advertising partners, quickly establishing strong commercial value through innovative execution, strategic clarity, and scalable brand-building potential.

Leadership was then placed at the center of the program, honoring leaders whose direction, decisions, and vision continue to shape both teams and the broader organization. These recognitions reflected not only performance, but the ability to guide others toward sustained growth and excellence.

Leader of the Year  – Editorial: Patrick Ty, Chief of Editorial Content, VMAN Southeast Asia

Patrick Ty set a consistent standard of clarity, discipline, and editorial excellence—leading with vision and purpose while strengthening both his media brand and supporting other teams across the organization with guidance, judgment, and creative direction that elevate the quality of work at every level.

Leader of the Year – Business: Ma. Cecilia P. Ngo, Chief Finance and Investment Officer, AGC PHC

Ma. Cecilia Ngo led with steady composure during one of the company’s most challenging periods, guiding teams with clarity and resolve, staying focused on solutions amid scrutiny, and upholding the integrity of the organization through diligence, responsibility, and unwavering character.

The program concluded with recognitions that reflected collective strength—honoring the brands, departments, and groups whose combined efforts defined AGC PHC’s performance over the year. These awards underscored that excellence is never achieved in isolation, but through collaboration across teams working toward a shared standard.

Brand of the Year: Vogue Philippines

Vogue Philippines was awarded Brand of the Year, marking its third consecutive year of receiving the distinction.

Since its launch, Vogue Philippines has continued to redefine the role of fashion media in the country by placing Philippine fashion, culture, identity, and global Filipino stories at the center of its editorial mission.

The brand’s continued market leadership reflects its ability to create work that resonates locally and internationally—proving that Filipino stories, when told with depth and intention, can speak to the world.

Department of the Year: AGC PHC Events Team

The Events Team was recognized as Department of the Year for the second time, for its exceptional performance and execution across a demanding calendar.

With 88 events mounted, the team demonstrated discipline, creativity, and resilience in bringing brand experiences to life across AGC Power Holdings Corp.’s media and marketing ecosystem.

From intimate gatherings to large-scale productions, the Events Team played a crucial role in translating editorial brands into real-world experiences—strengthening audience engagement, client partnerships, and the Group’s position in the events and activations space.

Company of the Year: Marketing Subsidiaries Group (DigistarPH, Events100, KLiQ Inc.)

The Marketing Services Group was named Company of the Year, recognized for its strong business performance, strategic contribution, and role in expanding the commercial capabilities of AGC Power Holdings Corp.

MSG’s achievement reflects the growing importance of integrated marketing services within the Group’s ecosystem. Through creative solutions, client-focused execution, and business discipline, the company demonstrated how media, marketing, production, influence, and brand experiences can work together to deliver measurable value.

This recognition affirms MSG’s role as a growth driver within AGC Power Holdings Corp. and as a key force in shaping the Group’s future direction.

Following the recognition of this year’s Company of the Year, AGC PHC extends its appreciation to all its subsidiaries and teams whose collective efforts continue to drive the organization forward. Across every company, each contribution—big or small—plays a role in shaping the strength, growth, and direction of the group.

While the LEAD Awards honored specific winners, the ceremony also celebrated the broader organization—the teams, leaders, creatives, strategists, finance professionals, operations staff, sales teams, marketers, producers, editors, and support groups who contributed to the company’s progress.

For AGC Power Holdings Corp., excellence is not defined by one award, one event, or one achievement. It is built through consistent effort, shared accountability, and the collective belief that Filipino media and creativity can continue to lead at a higher standard.

The LEAD Awards 2026 served as a reminder that behind every magazine issue, digital story, campaign, event, client partnership, and business milestone are people who choose to show up, solve problems, and push the organization forward.

As AGC Power Holdings Corp. continues to expand its influence across media, marketing, events, and culture, the LEAD Awards remain a symbol of what the company values most: leadership with purpose, excellence with discipline, and people who continue to raise the golden standard for Filipino media.

The celebration was graciously hosted by The Bellevue Manila, whose elegant setting provided the perfect backdrop for the LEAD Awards 2026. As the event’s venue partner, the hotel also curated a refined lunch dining experience for guests, complementing the program with thoughtful hospitality and a welcoming atmosphere that made the gathering both memorable and meaningful.

The afternoon was also elevated by a curated selection of booth partners who helped shape the atmosphere into a fully immersive celebration of creativity and experience.

Floral artistry by Creato PH brought a soft, elegant presence to the venue, with thoughtfully designed arrangements and bespoke bouquets that added warmth and visual depth to the space.

Behind the bar experience, The Black Box Mobile Cocktail Bar delivered a refined mixology showcase, serving handcrafted drinks through a tailored mobile bar setup designed for premium event experiences.

Complementing this, Barcato kept the energy of the afternoon seamless and celebratory, offering a well-curated drink selection that matched the rhythm and tone of the program.

For guests looking to add a personal touch to the evening, Beedazzle provided an interactive space where custom embellishments and creative add-ons turned simple items into personalized keepsakes.

Capturing candid memories throughout the event, Kodaki Express Photobooth offered a vintage-inspired photo experience, preserving spontaneous moments in a style that felt both nostalgic and timeless.

As the afternoon drew to a close, the LEAD Awards 2026 reaffirmed that excellence is built through dedication and shared purpose, with each recognition reflecting the people and values that continue to move AGC PHC forward. The LEAD Awards 2026 honored not only what has been achieved, but the standard of excellence that will continue to guide the organization ahead.

Photos courtesy of Ed Simon, Excel Panlaque, and Kim Angela Santos of KLiQ.Inc.