“Happiness is a choice,” said President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, Jean Henri Lhuillier.
The Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La was filled with happy people as the country honored the Happiest Pinoy for 2012 on September 18, 2012.
After receiving more than 13,000 nominations this year, Rommel Arellano of Bataan was declared as the grand winner of the Search for the Happiest Pinoy 2012. The nine other Filipinos that vied for the title were: Arnel Malipao of Surigao del Norte; Gilda Fortunata Altez of Manila; Connie Emborong of Lanao del Norte; Marcelo Otinguey of Benguet; John Gabriel Pelias of Quezon City; Gerald Raymundo of Pasig City; Concepcion Tababa of Iloilo; Rebecca Tiu Sonco of Eastern Samar; and Leonardo Villanueva of Malabon City.
Stories of inspiration from the Top 10 Happiest Pinoy Finalists reverberated inside the ballroom, which really touched the minds and hearts of the audience. Among these stories, Rommel’s story of success emerged to be the most inspiring.
Rommel has been diagnosed with Poliomyelitis (Polio) at the age of one but this did not hinder him from building his own family and achieving his dreams. Tagged as the man behind the walking tsinelas , Rommel is currently an MSWD counselor in Bataan who provides guidance and counseling for people who are abused, battered, disabled, and other people who need his help.
Happiness has always been Rommel’s companion in his journey. “The power to overcome any obstacles, hardships or trials is simply facing them with a happy heart. And from a happy heart you can draw strength and resilience.” said Rommel.
His life story won him the title Happiest Pinoy 2012 and P250,000 cash.
Present in the event are PJ Lhuillier Inc. Chairman Amb. Philippe Jones Lhuillier; PJ Lhuillier Inc. President and CEO Jean Henri D. Lhuillier; CLSC Vice President Philippe Andre D. Lhuillier; Happiest Pinoy 2010 winner Mr. Winston Maxino; Former Senator Miguel Zubiri; Brahama Kumaris Philippines President Former Senator Leticia Ramos- Shahani; CLIS Group Manager Jonathan Batangan; Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions VP for Operations Leo K. Escaño; and Philippine Insurance Ratings Association Chairman Dr. Pedro P. Benedicto Jr.
The Search for the Happiest Pinoy 2012 is a nationwide campaign of Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions (CLIS), which aims to instill and rekindle values of optimism, resilience and hope in Filipinos amidst global crisis, calamities and other unwanted events.