Filipinos are no stranger to hard times, and against seemingly insurmountable odds, are able to power through many obstacles that would have crushed others. Among everyday heroes, there are those individuals whose stories are worth telling and retelling. And CIMB Bank Philippines, a bank dedicated to supporting personal growth and creating a positive impact among communities, has chosen to recognize them by amplifying their stories and recognizing them as Pinoy Mavericks. Here are the stories of the awardees of the first-ever Pinoy Mavericks Awards:
Phoebe Fructuoso, chairwoman of PAVE Philippines, and her team
Phoebe Fructuoso, who has experienced harrowing sexual abuse and public humiliation from people she trusted, is chair of Promoting Awareness and Victors Empowerment (PAVE) Philippines, an organization which aims to raise awareness about rape culture and gender-based violence while also instilling hope and resilience in fellow survivors. It took eight long years before Phoebe finally received justice, but undaunted by her experience, she has chosen to instead support survivors of sexual violence by giving them a voice and teaching them how to have a victor’s mindset, as she advocates for a safer tomorrow. By rising above her trauma and turning it into a worthy cause, she has touched the lives of many other victims, bravely wearing her scars as a fully healed survivor.
Marlon Fuentes, ride-hailing app driver with Tourette Syndrome
Marlon Fuentes, who has the neurological disorder Tourette Syndrome, has been a ride-hailing app driver since 2019. He experiences involuntary movements that make the most basic actions a struggle, as he plies the busy streets of the metropolis. The tics have also led to social discrimination, but despite the pain he experiences, he has not allowed this to get in his way. Unfazed, he has chosen to bravely face each day despite his difficulties. Choosing to rise beyond his tics, he embraces his illness and has become an advocate for those who are similarly affected by it. He has a vlogging channel where he documents his daily life as a driver with Tourette’s and his different passenger encounters. Through this channel, he is able to explain what it means to live with Tourette’s and to inspire them to look beyond their difficulties.
Jerico Ramota, founder of ‘Rolling Bayanihan’
Jerico Ramota is the brains and brawn that kept the ‘Rolling Bayanihan’ initiative ever strong, as it brought food and supplies to the disadvantaged. Having experienced hunger himself, Jerico has taken it upon himself to help make sure that people do not experience the same hardship, especially during the pandemic when the poorest were hardest hit. Against the odds, he has always found ways to support barangays, devoting personal time and effort, even if he himself struggles with limited resources. Since then, he has not looked back. His efforts have positively affected the lives of people he has assisted, who have been similarly inspired to propagate the spirit of helping by volunteering their time and resources.
CIMB PMA Awards Night 2024 Winners with CIMB Executives – L-R: Vijay Manoharan (CIMB CEO), Marlon Fuentes (Winner), Phoebe Fructuoso (Winner), Jerico Ramota (Winner),’ D’ Artagnan Aguilar (Chief Marketing Officer)
Phoebe, Marlon, and Jerico, CIMB’s first Pinoy Mavericks Awards winners, are testaments to the strength of the Filipino spirit, standing out in an already stellar lineup of Pinoy Mavericks nominees with equally compelling and inspiring stories. Their unique stories resonated for evoking hope and for embodying CIMB’s mission of empowering Filipinos to live their purpose and overcome barriers to success.
The CIMB Pinoy Mavericks Awards is part of the Bank’s mission to promote financial inclusion and empower Filipinos to live their purpose and overcome barriers to success. Through the awards, CIMB aspires to go beyond what banks traditionally do and create a positive impact on society.
Mirroring this spirit, the three winners will be sharing their prize winnings with those who need help the most, perpetuating the cycle of giving: Phoebe will use her winnings to fund PAVE’s free mental health counseling and provide pro bono legal consultations to individuals in need of support; Marlon will be donating to Bahay Kalinga, a home for the aged in Bulacan, to help provide some of their needs; and Jerico will be providing support to Manila Boys Town, a residential care center for the homeless and underprivileged youth in Marikina.
The three winners hope that their stories of triumphs will provide hope and encouragement to other Filipinos who are struggling against life’s challenges.
By the same token, CIMB hopes to inspire and empower Filipinos to reach their life goals and support them, not only by providing innovative digital banking solutions and services, but by giving them living examples of how they can triumph against life’s adversities.
To know more about the Pinoy Mavericks Awards and get to know the other winners and nominees, visit www.cimbbank.com.ph/pinoymavericksawards