MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The finalists for the 17th Kidlat Awards have been unveiled. After a rigorous jury deliberation on May 6 at the Makati Diamond Residences, a total of 368 entries were shortlisted — each one a shining example of sharpened creative edge in Philippine advertising.
Leading this year’s Kidlat Awards finalist tally is TBWA\SMP with 36 shortlisted entries, showing strength in Classic Creativity, Craft, Creativity in Experience, and Creativity for Good. VML Manila follows closely with 30, including nine in Classic Creativity and eight in Craft.
BBDO Guerrero takes third with 25 finalists, standing out in Classic Creativity and Creativity in Entertainment. Leo Burnett Manila made a notable showing in Creativity in Strategy and Effectiveness with five entries, while MullenLowe TREYNA led in Creativity in Social, Engagement, and Entertainment with seven, four, and two entries, respectively.
On the production side, Arcade Film Factory leads with 44 Craft category finalists, followed by FILMPABRIKA INC. with 22, and Soundesign Manila with 11.
Presiding over the 17th Kidlat Awards jury are some of the region’s most respected creative leaders, each bringing deep expertise to their respective categories. Daniel Kee, Executive Creative Director of MullenLowe Singapore, led the judging for Creativity in Entertainment & Experience. Over at Creativity in Social, the jury was headed by Thasorn Boonyanate, Chief Creative Officer of BBDO Thailand.
Creativity in Strategy & Effectiveness and Creativity for Good were overseen by Peter Khoury, Chief Creative Officer of TBWA APAC. For the craft categories, Film Craft was led by Subun Khow, Chief Creative Officer of Dentsu Thailand, while Agency & Digital Craft was helmed by Merlee Jayme, Chairmom and Founder of Jayme HQ. Audio Craft saw Teeny Gonzales, CEO of Seven A.D., at the helm, and Classic Creativity & Engagement was judged by Joao Braga, Global Executive Creative Director at Publicis Groupe.
View the full list of 17th Kidlat Awards finalists here.
CREATIVITY IN ENTERTAINMENT & EXPERIENCE
- JURY HEAD: Daniel Kee: Executive Creative Director, MullenLowe Singapore
- Carl Urgino: Head of Art, LEO Manila
- Caye Paras: Creative Director, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi
- Chino Jayme: Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Manila
- Joel Limchoc: Film Director, Film Pabrika
- Maan Bautista: Executive Creative Director, VML Manila
- Nikki Sunga: Creative Director, BBDO Guerrero
- Marci Reyes: Executive Creative Director, TBWA\SMP
- Tin Sanchez: Executive Creative Director, Publicis Manila
CREATIVITY IN SOCIAL
- JURY HEAD: Thasorn Boonyanate: Chief Creative Officer, BBDO Thailand
- Bia Fernandez: Executive Creative Director, DDB Manila
- Bianong Labiano: Executive Creative Director, NuWorks
- Cookie Quevedo: Creative Director, Propel Manila
- Dale Lopez: Co-founder, Creative Technologist, Tony&
- Gabie Osorio: Creative Lead, MullenLowe TREYNA
- Jayel Ladioray: Vice President, Head of Consumer Communications & Experience, Nestlé
- Joey Tiempo: Chief Executive Officer, Octopus&Whale
- Raizelle So: Chief Strategy & Creative Officer, SVEN
CREATIVITY IN STRATEGY & EFFECTIVENESS & CREATIVITY FOR GOOD
- JURY HEAD: Peter Khoury: Chief Creative Officer, TBWA APAC
- Dante Abelarde: Independent Creative
- Gino Borromeo: Vice President, Ayala Corporation
- Jake Tesoro: Chief Creative Officer, Eyes On The Prize
- Leigh Reyes: Creative Chair, MullenLowe TREYNA
- Nikki Golez: Creative Director, Jayme HQ
- Raymund Sison: Creative Chief, Lennon Group
- Trixie Diyco: Executive Creative Director, Publicis Jimenez Basic
- Brian Avanceña: Head of Creatives, RAD Manila
FILM CRAFT
- JURY HEAD: Subun Khow: Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Thailand
- Lito Gemora: Head of Art, Ogilvy Manila
- Marius Talampas: Film Director, Arcade Film Factory
- Mike Dela Cuesta: Group Creative Director, Publicis Jimenez Basic
- Peter Acuña: Executive Creative Director, BCI Hakuhodo
- Ryan Rubillar: Creative Director, TBWA\SMP
- Nolan Fabular: Creative Lead, Octopus&Whale
- Sid Maderazo: Film Director, Provill
- Tanya Yuson: Chief Creative Development Officer, BASE Entertainment
AGENCY & DIGITAL CRAFT
- JURY HEAD: Merlee Jayme: Chairmom & Founder, Jayme HQ
- Biboy Royong: Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Creative Philippines
- Dino Ocampo: Executive Creative Director, Ogilvy Manila
- Eman Carandang: Head of Art, BBDO Guerrero
- Fran Palines: Creative Director, VML Manila
- Mel Aguinaldo: Creative Director, M2M Creative Design
- Reg Lota: Head of Art, Ace Saatchi & Saatchi
- Rey Tiempo: Chief Creative Officer, Minotaur
- Rizza Garcia: Executive Creative Director, Lennon Group
AUDIO CRAFT
- JURY HEAD: Teeny Gonzales: Chief Executive Officer, Seven A.D.
- Alejandro Blay: Operations Manager, Soundesign
- Allan Almeda: Group Creative Director, McCann Worldgroup
- Edsel Tolentino: Partner, Loudbox
- Gian Nealega: Creative Director, Dentsu Creative Philippines
- Jenny Nadong: Chief Creative Officer, FCB Manila
- Ompong Remigio: Chief Creative Officer, Fat Free
- Arnold Buena: Senior Music Composer, Hit Productions
CLASSIC CREATIVITY & ENGAGEMENT
- JURY HEAD: Joao Braga: Global Executive Creative Director, Publicis Groupe
- Angie Tijam-Tohid: Executive Creative Director, Havas Ortega
- Billy Samson: Executive Creative Director, TBWA\SMP
- Brandie Tan: Vice President for Branding, BDO
- Gary Amante: Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Creative Philippines
- Jao Bautista: Executive Creative Director, Propel Manila
- Javey Villones: Head of Art, VML Manila
- Maki Correa: Deputy Executive Creative Director, Seven AD
- Roman Olivarez: Executive Creative Director, MullenLowe TREYNA
adobo magazine is the official media partner of the 2025 Creativefest and the 17th Kidlat Awards.
