The Hard-Earned Lessons Behind the LEAD Awards 2025 Winners

How AGC PHC’s outstanding employees turned challenges into victories through grit, determination, and leadership

Success rarely comes from luck alone. It’s built on long nights, silent sacrifices, and a quiet kind of grit—the determination to keep going even when the odds say stop. It’s forged in the moments no one sees: the extra hours, the failed attempts, the steady belief that every challenge carries a chance to grow.

On April 25, AGC Power Holdings Corp. held the LEAD Awards 2025 to honor outstanding employees across its subsidiaries whose exceptional contributions have significantly influenced the company’s growth, innovation, and mission. Each awardee won a hard-earned victory, only after surviving a long, eventful journey. And behind every journey is a story with a lesson to be learned, interwoven with the grit and determination of every honoree. 

Here are the valuable lessons one can learn from the LEAD awardees: 

Winners never quit.

When Gian Valiente first joined, he was soft-spoken and reserved. Some wondered if he could handle the weight of the role. But Gian didn’t waver. “I can do this, and I won’t give up,” he declared. That quiet resolve pushed him forward, helping him lead launches, roadshows, and partnerships that upheld the company’s reputation for excellence.

Excellence and humility can go hand in hand.

Multimedia artist Angelino Joseph Quijencio shows that you can be brilliant and grounded at the same time. Skilled, adaptable, and endlessly creative, he remains humble, collaborative, and solution-driven. His story is proof that leadership doesn’t always need a spotlight—it can thrive in quiet consistency and genuine teamwork.

Owning responsibility is where leadership begins.

Mae Sicat knows that bold ideas mean little without execution. As a creative production supervisor overseeing over PHP100 million in advertising commitments, she’s learned that success lies in precision, accountability, and consistency. Leadership, for her, isn’t about rank—it’s about delivering, day in and day out, without fanfare.

Innovation doesn’t just push boundaries—it builds bridges.

Mika Cruz introduced new systems that transformed supplier payments and production processes—improvements that rippled across multiple subsidiaries. Her work reminds us that innovation isn’t just about creativity; it’s about making things work better, for everyone.

Resilience turns obstacles into milestones.

Bettina Alexandra Mendoza’s story is one of perseverance. From early career struggles to breaking sales records, she’s proven that setbacks can fuel comebacks—and that resilience is a powerful catalyst for success.

Lasting change often starts where no one is looking.

In recruitment, the wins aren’t always loud. But Dennise Rialp’s thoughtful leadership has shaped the culture from within, one hire, one decision at a time. Her story reminds us that impact doesn’t always look like a grand gesture—it’s often woven through the small, consistent choices that build trust and integrity.

True growth blends talent, humility, and vision.

For Vogue writer Ticia Almazan, skill is just the starting point. What elevates her work is her maturity, her ability to think beyond herself, and her commitment to a bigger purpose. Her journey proves that influence isn’t tied to age or title—it’s grounded in character and clarity of intention.

Behind every great experience is someone whose quiet dedication turns chaos into harmony.

Rafael Santos, Senior Project Manager, keeps events running smoothly with precision and calm. His story is a quiet yet powerful reminder: the people who make things look effortless are often working the hardest—and their efforts are what make the magic happen.

Extraordinary experiences are born when creativity meets strategy and vision meets execution.

Great events aren’t just planned—they’re designed with intention, artistry, and a deep understanding of how to tell a story through every detail. For Events Creative Manager Brent Castro, a successful event isn’t just about ideas—it’s about weaving creativity with precision, vision with execution. His leadership shows that innovation happens when artistry meets intentionality.

Performance isn’t always about how loudly you speak, but how consistently you deliver. 

Ad and Promo Supervisor Samantha Anciano proves that even when faced with challenges—such as limited resources or competing priorities—excellence can still be achieved through dedication, professionalism, and respect for others. Her success wasn’t built on making noise—it came from steady dedication, professionalism, and a deep respect for her work and her team. Her journey shows that real leadership isn’t about shouting the loudest; it’s about showing up, every single day.

Leadership is not always about having the biggest title—it’s about having the biggest sense of responsibility, the clearest vision, and the courage to lead others.

Janine Recto, Vice President for Asia Media Brands, has steered the company through some of its biggest transformations—with calm, integrity, and grace. Her leadership proves that the most effective leaders aren’t driven by ego, but by vision, clarity, and the ability to bring people together toward a common goal. Janine is the first recipient of the Outstanding Leader of the Year Award.

True storytelling uplifts voices and reflects a generation.

Editor of the Year (Junior Category) Rafael Bautista shows that powerful storytelling is about representation, inclusivity, and connecting deeply with an audience. His leadership reminds us that influence comes from staying curious, intentional, and authentic to your vision.

Transformational leadership in media is about crafting meaningful narratives that reflect identity, culture, and purpose—not just content.

Editor of the Year Bea Valdes shows that great editors don’t just publish stories—they shape movements, elevate voices, and build legacies that resonate far beyond the page. Her leadership reminds us that true impact comes from leading with vision, authenticity, and a deep sense of responsibility to both community and culture. It’s about using one’s platform not for visibility alone, but for lasting value and representation.

Behind every innovation is an unseen system making it possible.

The Digital Infrastructure and Optimization Division proves that transformation isn’t just front-facing—it’s powered by operational excellence, quiet expertise, and a future-ready mindset. Their work shows that the backbone of every success is often invisible, but vital.

A brand’s value is measured by more than profits.

Vogue’s recognition as Media Brand of the Year affirms that success comes from blending influence, quality, and vision—not just revenue. Its global resonance elevates Filipino creativity and redefines what it means to represent the Philippines on the world stage.

Tradition and innovation can—and must—coexist.

One MEGA Group, crowned Company of the Year, exemplifies what it means to honor a legacy while embracing reinvention. As the country’s longest-running publishing house, it continues to evolve, proving that staying relevant requires both deep roots and bold growth.

Those who achieve true success are often the ones who kept moving forward when it would have been easier to quit. The journeys of the LEAD Awardees remind us that grit and perseverance are just as important as talent or opportunity—and that lasting success is always earned, never given.