Manny Pacquiao. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—“Safe Steps” ambassador Manny Pacquiao was named Communicator of the Year by Public Affairs Asia at the recent Gold Standard Awards 2014 in Hong Kong.
The eight-division world boxing champion and representative of the lone district of Sarangani bested other short-listed nominees for the category and was cited for being “a highly-effective ambassador” whose eloquence, intuition, and celebrity status “combine with his charisma and sense of commitment to generate a credible campaign focused on how communities should practically prepare for natural disasters.”
Safe Steps is a long-term disaster preparedness educational program with multiple platforms covering on-air videos, an informative website and educational collateral that can be shared through community-based activities. The core of the program is a series of 60-second educational videos featuring Pacquiao, who dispenses advice on key survival steps that individuals and households should take when common disasters such as typhoons, floods, earthquake and fire strike.
The public service announcements are being aired across Asia on 13 Fox International Channels (FIC), including National Geographic, StarWorld and Channel [V], reaching viewers in 24 million homes.
“This award is a strong endorsement of our significant disaster preparedness education program,” said Pacquiao, who accepted the award “on behalf of all survivors everywhere.”
He added: “Safe Steps is a big step in helping build resilient communities because it raises awareness on vital information on disaster preparedness. Together with the Prudence Foundation and National Geographic Channel, I have made it my personal mission to equip every person in Asia with critical survival information.”
Prudence Foundation executive director Marc Fancy said Pacquiao “rightfully clinched the Communicator of the Year award because he was able to effectively reach 24 million households across Asia.” He described Pacquiao as “not only a survivor who understands the impact of natural disasters first hand, but also an icon and humanitarian.”
The Gold Standard Awards is the benchmark for excellence in corporate public affairs and stakeholder engagement across Asia Pacific. The Communicator of the Year award recognizes excellence in communications by a business or public figure in the region.