Filipino baking program helping wounded, retiring soldiers bags award in Canada

The 2019 Gold Quill Evaluators commended the Group’s entry “Noble Bakers”, a CSR project that aims to empower wounded and retiring soldiers with a financially-sustainable bakery business, equipping them with the skills to run it profitably. Maricar L. Bautista, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Assistant Vice President-Media Relations, received this award on behalf of the company last June 11 in Vancouver, Canada.

MANILA, Philippines — A Filipino baking program which seeks to empower wounded and retiring soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) received an award at the 2019 International Association of Business Communicators’ (IABC) Gold Quill Awards in Vancouver, Canada.

The “Noble Bakers: Bakery Management Training and Equipment Donation” program of the Aboitiz Group was one of the 86 entries from all over the world that was awarded the Gold Quill Award of Excellence last June 11.

Under the program, wounded and retiring soldiers of the AFP are empowered by providing them with a financially-sustainable bakery business, equipping them with the skills to run it profitably.

The program, the IABC Gold Quill Evaluators said, is “a well-executed and clear-minded project from start to finish.”

The evaluators also noted that the program had ”excellent use of storytelling to convey the objectives of the program and to win hearts and minds.”

Of the five Gold Quill winners from the Philippines, the program was the only one to be awarded the Gold Quill Award of Excellence. The other four entries received Merit Awards.

“Our Gold Quill Award for Noble Bakers is a clear testament of our determination to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities — through service excellence. We will continue to work hard to implement communication initiatives that best reflect our purpose and values,” said Erramon I. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) President and Chief Executive Officer.

The IABC Gold Quill Awards is deemed as “as one of the most prestigious awards programs in the communication profession”.

“The IABC Gold Quill Awards celebrates extraordinary communication by recognizing innovative, strategic work that delivers significant business results,” said Gabrielle Loring, chair of the awards committee.