Globe‑backed social enterprises Virtualahan and The Spark Project highlighted in Singtel Group Future Makers 2025 Impact Report

 

Two Globe-backed Philippine startups, Virtualahan and The Spark Project were featured in the Singtel Group Future Makers (SGFM) 2025 Impact Report, a regional review celebrating ten years of tech-driven social innovation.

 

Virtualahan, the pioneering social enterprise in the country’s disability space, and The Spark Project, which assists entrepreneurs in building sustainable ventures, are among the SGFM alumni that exemplify how technology can address community needs while enabling business growth.

 

Launched in 2015, SGFM has become a regional platform supporting 85 start-ups through grants, mentorship, and ecosystem access, benefiting over 24 million people across 11 countries through initiatives in education, healthcare, mental health, environment, agriculture, waste management, and inclusion.¹ In 2017, Globe adopted this in the Philippines when it launched its Globe Future Makers (GFM) program to empower startups that use technology to address societal challenges. GFM provides these startups with essential resources such as mentorship, marketing assistance, and networking opportunities. The program aims to cultivate an ecosystem of social innovators who leverage technology to create positive change, aligning with the Singtel Group of Companies' broader social innovation initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region.

 

As a major telecommunications conglomerate based in Singapore that provides a wide range of services across Asia, Australia, and Africa, Singtel is concluding the current format of the Future Makers program in the region after a successful ten-year run, citing a more mature social innovation ecosystem with growing government and corporate support.

 

“Moving forward, we will focus on working with alumni ventures to help drive their expansion and build stronger collaboration,” said Andrew Buay, VP for Group Sustainability at Singtel.

 

Virtualahan first gained recognition as one of the startups that won the Globe Future Makers (GFM) in 2017, while The Spark Project partnered with Globe for GFM 2019. Both later represented the Philippines for the regional SGFM network.

 

“Through our partnership with SGFM, we had the opportunity to support Filipino social enterprises in their journey to expand their impact and contribute to positive change in the communities they serve,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.

 

Virtualahan illustrates this pathway by equipping persons with disabilities, vulnerable youth, solo parents, recovering addicts, persons deprived of liberty, and displaced workers with digital skills training and support programs that open up access to livelihood and long-term reintegration.

 

Since completing the 2017 GFM and SGFM cohorts, Virtualahan has trained 1,267 persons with disabilities, with a 66% employment rate and a 25% income increase among graduates. It has increased annual revenues by approximately 300% and incubated two spin-off businesses.

 

“The exposure, learning, and endorsement we received from SGFM and Globe helped boost our credibility as a pioneering social enterprise in the local disability space,” said Ryan Gersava, founder of Virtualahan.

 

 Future Makers event in Sydney, Australia, November 2017 — Virtualahan x Globe x Singtel x Optus. Photo courtesy of Virtualahan

 

The Spark Project, originally a crowdfunding platform for creative ventures, evolved after its GFM and SGFM experience into an entrepreneur-support organization that has assisted over 135 enterprises, channelled Php25.5 million into impact projects, and deployed a Php16.6 million loan fund.

 

“By connecting us with a wider network of mentors, collaborators, and supporters, GFM and SGFM enabled us to build stronger programs that support Filipino creatives and social entrepreneurs,” said Patch Dulay, founder of The Spark Project.

 

 Aspiring and emerging entrepreneurs gather at Globe Tower for Spark Fest — a day of inspiring talks and workshops on creativity, entrepreneurship, and impact. Photo courtesy of The Spark Project

 

Collaborating with Globe, both groups launched impactful thematic programs. Virtualahan, for instance, connected persons with disabilities, displaced workers, and out-of-school youth to the internet, enabling their participation in the Department of Information and Communications Technology's Digital Jobs PH upskilling programs in 2021. Meanwhile, the Spark Project teamed up with Globe for Spark Fest 2018 and 2019, creating a dedicated space where individuals passionate about social causes can find inspiration, learn, and connect with creative founders, thought leaders, and other aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating how telco infrastructure can amplify civic impact.

 

Globe remains committed to empowering Philippine enterprises that harness technology to address pressing social challenges by driving sustainable growth through strategic collaboration, digital innovation, and regional partnerships.

 

To learn more about the Singtel Group Future Makers (SGFM) 2025 Impact Report, read the report here. 

 

To learn more about Globe, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

 

 

Globe Wins Top Honors at HR Excellence Awards 2025

 11 Awards Cement Employer of Choice Status in PH and ASEAN

 

Globe’s HR team, led by Chief Human Resource Officer Renato Manuel Jiao (center), celebrates the company’s landmark victory as Ultimate Grand Winner at the HR Excellence Awards 2025.

 

Globe Telecom reaffirmed its leadership in  people and culture innovation after being named Overall Grand Winner at the prestigious HR Excellence Awards 2025, held on August 7, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City.

The company achieved a landmark victory with 11 awards across multiple categories, further strengthening its position as one of the most awarded and admired employers in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

 

The HR Excellence Awards celebrate organizations that demonstrate exceptional innovation, leadership, and measurable impact in human resources. Globe’s sweeping win underscores its long-standing commitment to people-first strategies, progressive HR practices, and a workplace culture anchored on its Employee Value Proposition (EVP), Create Everyday Possibilities.

 

This year’s honors include Gold for Excellence in Employee Advocacy and Brand Ambassadors, Excellence in Learning and Development, Excellence in Talent Management, and Excellence in Addressing Urban Workforce Challenges.

 

Globe also earned Gold for two of the night’s most prestigious individual awards: HR Manager of the Year for Mark Dimaisip and HR Leader of the Year for Renato Manuel Jiao.

 

The company’s breadth of expertise was further recognized with Silver for Excellence in Hybrid Working and Excellence in Employee Volunteerism, as well as Bronze for Excellence in Talent Mobility and Excellence in Talent Acquisition.

 

Globe’s 2025 performance marks its strongest showing yet at the HR Excellence Awards. In 2022, it secured five awards including Overall Winner, followed by nine awards in 2023 and six in 2024. This year’s record-breaking 11 wins, capped by the Ultimate Grand Winner title, reinforce its role as a trailblazer in employee experience and workplace transformation.

 

Empowering People, Shaping the Future of Work

“These awards are a testament to the passion, resilience, and creativity of every Ka-Globe,” said Renato Manuel Jiao, Globe’s Chief Human Resource Officer. “Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and this recognition validates our unwavering commitment to creating everyday possibilities, whether by empowering careers, fostering inclusivity, or shaping the future of work in the Philippines and beyond.”

 

Globe’s success is powered by its ability to integrate technology, inclusivity, and employee empowerment into a comprehensive approach to talent management. From pioneering hybrid work models and advancing diversity and inclusion, to cultivating leadership excellence and enabling robust career mobility, Globe continues to set the benchmark for workplace innovation in the region.

 

Globe’s remarkable showing at the HR Excellence Awards 2025 underscores its standing as an Employer of Choice and demonstrates how its people-first philosophy drives business success and industry leadership.

 

Be part of Globe’s story. Explore careers and partnerships with one of the Philippines’ most awarded employers at https://globe.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/GLB_Careers.

 

 

For more information about Globe’s network security efforts, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/.

Globe champions safe and equitable workplace for all

Globe remains steadfast in its commitment to building a workplace where everyone, regardless of gender identity, expression, ability, age, or background, feels seen, respected, and empowered to thrive.

 

At the core of Globe’s culture is a belief that diversity fuels innovation and compassion. The company’s ongoing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) efforts are designed not as one-off programs, but as an integral part of how Globe operates every day.

 

Within the workforce, Globe fosters representation across gender, age groups, and ability. Women make up 44% of the organization, while generational diversity includes Gen Z (5%), Millennials (64%), Gen X (31%), and Baby Boomers (0.5%). Employees who have self-identified as Persons with Disabilities are also present within the company, affirming its commitment to building inclusive systems that allow all individuals to participate fully.

 

Recognizing the need for safe, supportive communities, Globe recently introduced Globe Inclusion Networks, employee resource groups that create spaces for connection and growth. These include the G Network, a women-led circle dedicated to promoting gender equality, and the Pride Network, a safe space for LGBTQIA+ employees and allies to share experiences, find support, and co-create a culture of belonging.

 

Across its offices, Globe nurtures awareness and empathy through inclusive learning sessions. In collaboration with the Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride (PFIP), the company has hosted discussions on SOGIE, transgender inclusion, and psychological safety in the workplace. Conversations around allyship, microaggressions, and inclusive language are regularly encouraged, making space for reflection, learning, and real connection.

 

Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz reinforced this commitment by signing the PFIP Pledge of Support, an industry-wide affirmation of inclusive and respectful workplaces. “At Globe, we embrace intersectionality as the bedrock of our cultural strength,” said Cruz. “This isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about making sure people feel safe, valued, and free to bring their whole selves to work, every day.”

 

Ivan Garong, Corporate Secretary and Trustee of PFIP, echoed the importance of this partnership: “This collaboration reflects how companies like Globe are driving real change by creating spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community is empowered, respected, and affirmed.”

 

Globe’s commitment is formalized in our Code of Conduct and to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Inclusion Policy Commitment, which affirm zero tolerance for discrimination and pledge respect and dignity for all. Globe embraces diversity in all forms, reinforcing the belief that these are not just statements, but the foundation of a future where no one is left behind.

 

This culture of care and authenticity continues to earn Globe recognition, including being named Employer of the Year by HR Excellence Awards in 2024 for the third consecutive year, a five-peat winner in HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For in Asia-The Philippines Chapter, and an eight-peat winner for Top Workplaces in Asia by ACES Awards 2024.

 

For Globe, inclusion is not seasonal. It’s a standard that shapes how the company works, leads, and grows with its people.