When we launched the Mansmith Young Market Masters Awards (YMMA) 21 years ago, the intent was deliberate: to recognize leaders early, before success was obvious and before history edited their narratives.
Over time, a gap became hard to ignore. Many platforms celebrate breakthroughs and speed. Very few honor endurance, stewardship, and the long arc of leadership. Yet leadership is not a moment; it is a lifecycle.
Entrepreneurs create value amid uncertainty. CEOs build institutions over decades. Both shape the future, at different points in time, but with equal consequence. And so we proceeded to organize two new awards:
The Mansmith Entrepreneur Awards and the Mansmith CEO Lifetime Achievement Awards – created to recognize founders and chief executives whose impact is measured not by velocity, but by value sustained over time.
This insight led us to expand the Mansmith Awards into six distinct awards, to be presented in two sets each year. This January 21, 2026, we focused on the “builders” with the Mansmith Innovation Award, the Mansmith Entrepreneur Awards, and the Mansmith CEO Lifetime Achievement Awards. In April 21, 2026, we will present the Mansmith Young Market Masters Awards (YMMA), the Mansmith Sales Masters Awards (MSMA), and the Mansmith Market Mentors Awards (MMMA) – to recognize those shaping what comes next.
Their full stories and the complete list of awardees are shared previously here:
https://josiahgo.com/architects-of-change-12-ceos-to-receive-mansmith-awards/
Each represents what we believe leadership should be recognized for: impact that lasts beyond titles and tenure.
Clarifying the Award Categories
Since the announcement, many have asked who and how to nominate. Here are our quick clarifications:
- Mansmith Innovation Awards – Proven commercial success of a novel concept (product, process, or business model), not just a startup
- Mansmith Entrepreneur Awards – Enduring and resilient performance, not just a quick rise
- Mansmith CEO Lifetime Achievement Awards – Living legends who defined or inspired their industries
Different stages, same principle: CEOs with impact.
Leaders Who Came to Support
What made the first Mansmith Awards for CEOs especially meaningful was the presence of leaders and CEOs who came not to be recognized but to support.
We are honored to have interacted with the following leaders and CEOs, during the Mansmith awards night. This list may be incomplete as we are recalling from memory, but each interaction, no matter how brief, mattered:
Dr Gemino Abad (National Artist)
Herbert Sy (SM Markets)
Yvonne Yuchengco (YGC Group)
Peter Coyuito (First Life)
Carl Cruz (Globe Telecom)
Fredy Ong (Unilever Philippines)
Gina Lorenzana (Belo)
Dr Carl Balita (CBRC)
Francis Flores (Pick Up Coffee)
JV Villabroza (Kantar)
Donald Lim (DITO Holdings; MAP)
Rhoda Caliwara (Women Business Council)
Reginald Yu (Rotary Club of Manila)
Sabsy Palanca (WBCP)
Jerry Ilao (AI Business Association)
Nora Terrado (former Undersecretary)
Ida Tiongson (PDIC)
Eric Caeg (AIM)
Raymund Acedera (UP)
Eric Soriano, (Ateneo)
Joaquin Sy (Angelo King Foundation)
Lawrence Ferrer (Bayad)
Carlo Mendoza (Kopiko)
Jay Go (Red Ribbon)
Ray Jarina (Inteco Suzuki Group)
Marivic Espano (Maybank / YMCA)
Ernesto Uy (Eastwest Bank)Dudung Cruz (Rcbc)
Arlene Tan-Bantoto (Nestle / Wyeth)
Cecile Mariano (Meralco)
Barny Chong (CHG)
Marites Ang (King Chef)
Issa Baron (Good Thinking)
Yayu Javier (Avanza)
Betty Aw (BIG)
Cherrie Atilano (Agrea)
Jojo Liao (Coreproc)
Rio Ilao (Tarkie)
Czarina Sevilla (Avocadoria)
Roman Mercado (Squadzip)
Atty. Lorna Kapunan
Atty. Sigfrid Fortun
Atty. Estela Sales
Atty Rudyard Arbolado (Inquirer)
Mylene Abiva (Felta)
Donna Lina (UBE Media)
Ryan Barrera (Emerald)
Joey Mendoza (ex-SM Supermarket)
Pete Ramos (ex-Unilever)
Henry Ong (Inquirer)
Lorraine Tan (Chinoy Tv)
Crissy Rollan (CrissyTalksHR)
Karl Po (JS Unitrade)
Sheryl Po (Unitrade)
Richard Go (Orocan)
Ellen Cochanco (Fly Ace)
Loraine Cochanco (Fly Ace)
Aliana Rafael (Airspeed)
Paolo Abrera (QTV 11)
Shen Ratilla (Pastry Bin)
Eric Ke (1Life)
Bart Canon (Fly Ace)
Abbie Reyes (Fly Ace)
Camille Ang (Growsari)
Mark Acabado (Converge)
Stephen Chua (Sigma Ventures)
Emman dela Cruz (Sinag)
Jop Esquivas (Sinag)
Quennie Cua (Mansmith)
Albet Buddahim (Mega)
Omni Larrosa (PLDT)
Luis Asistio (PLDT)
Darlyn Ty (Viviamo)
We were also grateful for the PM greetings after the event but apologies for not being able to shake hands with:
Norman Agatep (Agatep & Associates / PRSP)
Doris Dumlao (Inquirer)
Why This Matters
Leadership that endures is often recognized too late, when stories are already complete.
The Mansmith Awards for CEOs exist to recognize leaders while they are still building, mentoring, and shaping institutions that will outlast them.
To everyone who came to support, thank you for affirming this belief:
Leadership should be recognized not just for winning, but for what endures.
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Join the Conversation with 16 CEOs/MDs/Presidents
Explore ideas about trust, opportunity, strategy, and leadership in person at the 17th Mansmith Market Masters Conference on March 17, 2026 in SMX Aura. For more information, visit: www.marketmastersconference.com
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