Join the Search for Cebuana Lhuillier’s Happiest Pinoy 2024: Uplifting Filipino Spirit through Stories of Joy and Resilience

Celebrate the resilience and joy of being Filipino with Cebuana Lhuillier’s 'Happiest Pinoy'! From Gen Z to senior citizens, entrepreneurs, and more, this contest showcases inspiring stories of optimism and hope. Let’s spread happiness and recognize those who make a difference. 

After a five-year break, Cebuana Lhuillier has officially relaunched one of its most beloved campaigns, the "Happiest Pinoy," marking the beginning of a new chapter in the search for joy and resilience among Filipinos. This year’s revival of the campaign brings hope, inspiration, and optimism at a time when the need for such qualities has never been more apparent.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier's President and CEO, expressed his excitement for the relaunch, emphasizing the strength of the  Filipino spirit, which has toughened despite the challenges of recent years. "The last few years have been challenging for all of us, but through it all, the unique Filipino spirit—the same spirit we celebrate in this campaign—remained unbreakable. We’ve seen time and again that, despite adversity, Filipinos always find a reason to smile, to be hopeful, and to spread joy," Lhuillier said. He added that the "Happiest Pinoy" campaign shines a light on those who uplift others through their personal stories of optimism and resilience.

The "Happiest Pinoy" aims to celebrate Filipinos who rise above life's challenges and continue to spread positivity. The competition is open to Filipino citizens aged 13 and above, excluding Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). This year, the contest features several categories: Masayahing Gen Z (Youth); Happy at 60 (Senior Citizens); No Way Kapansanan (PWD); Inspiradong Champion (Manggagawa or MNGGW); Bagong Bayani, Hatid Sigla (OFW); Bibo sa Negosyo (Entrepreneur); Proud as Pride (LGBTQIA+) and Creative Pinoy (Creative Arts). This year, the competition has also introduced Special Awards: Katutubo (TRIBO) and Happiest Ka-Cebuana.

In 2019, Zaldy Bueno, a 37 year old public school teacher from Gumaca Quezon won Cebuana Lhuillier’s search for the Happiest Pinoy.  Zaldy, representing the Professional Category, bested other finalists from different categories by virtue of his advocacy to see more children’s lives change through education. 

The grand winner of the search will receive a cash prize of PHP 500,000, with category winners receiving PHP 35,000 each.Special awards’ winners will, meanwhile, receive, PHP 25,000 each.

Applicants can submit their stories via three methods:

• Video Submission: Submit a video entry by downloading the form from the "Happiest Pinoy" social media pages, filling it out, and sending the form along with the video to happiestpinoy2024@gmail.com.

• Google Form: Fill out the official form via the Happiest Pinoy’s social media pages, providing the required details and sharing experiences of optimism and joy.

• Cebuana Lhuillier Branches: Visit any Cebuana Lhuillier branch to get a physical copy of the form, fill it out, and return it to the nearest branch.

The return of the "Happiest Pinoy" competition is a significant moment for Cebuana Lhuillier and the country. As Lhuillier emphasized, this comeback is about more than just finding a winner; it is a celebration of the strength and happiness that define Filipinos. He said, "This campaign isn’t just a search for an individual—it’s a celebration of the strength and happiness that define us as a people."

With this relaunch, Cebuana Lhuillier hopes to continue sharing meaningful stories that uplift the Filipino spirit, demonstrating once again that, no matter the adversity, Filipinos will always choose to find happiness.

 

Meet the 10 Happiest Pinoy 2019 Finalists

"The only thing that will make you happy
is being happy with who you are"

Do you have what it takes to become Cebuana Lhuillier Happiest Pinoy 2019 ? We were able to meet with the 10 Cebuana Lhuillier Happiest Pinoy 2019 finalists last April 26 at the Happy Garden, Jupiter Makati.

They were presented to the media,  shared their stories and recalled how they were able to join the search. I have my personal favorites, I wish them all good luck and win the nod of the  judges.


After going through close to 800,000 applications in the last few months, the biggest edition of the Cebuana Lhuillier Search for the Happiest Pinoy has now come down to 10 individuals who are already winners in their respective categories.


Khaye Celine Maggay (youth), Francisca Tumampil (senior citizens), Fortunato Januto (overseas Filipino workers), Rodrigo Roble Jr. (lingkod bayan), Zaldy Bueno (professionals), (manggagawang Pinoy), Mark David Cerezo (entrepreneurs), Alfred Santos (employees), Jayson Dela Fuente (persons with disabilities), and Leovy John Terrado (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community)

The finalists will each receive P50,000 and will go through a panel interview to determine this year’s Happiest Pinoy grand winner who will take home P1 million tax-free.

The panel of judges is led by Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya; Rock Education Project Inc. founder Gang Badoy Capati; Enterph co-founder and motivational speaker RJ Ledesma; TV host, journalist and online influencer James Deakin; TV host Love Anover-Lianko; The Apprentice Asia winner and JY Consultancy and Ventures founder and managing director Jonathan Yabut; and Search for the Happiest Pinoy previous grand winners Winston Maxino, Rommel Arellano, and Richardson Navor.

The grand winner of the Search will be announced during the awards night on May 2019.

An advocacy program of Cebuana Lhuillier, the country’s largest micro-financial services company, the Search for the Happiest Pinoy celebrates the values of optimism, resilience and hope as it aims to find a Filipino who has a positive outlook in life, was able to rise above life’s challenges and had a positive impact in the lives of others.

“Filipinos are one of the most resilient people in the world, facing life’s challenges with optimism, faith and a can-do attitude. At Cebuana Lhuillier, we believe that this should be recognized and encouraged at all times,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier president & CEO.