Here is the list of awardees in no particular order:

Special Awards:

One of the judges who is part of the awards committee is the dashing bachelor, Robert Laurel Yupangco.

He is the grandson of our former president of the Philippines, Jose P. Laurel. He is famous as the Zooperman of the Philippines for managing 5 Theme Parks (Zoobic Safari in Subic, Zoocobia in Clark,

Pampanga, Paradizoo in Mendez, Cavite, Zoori at Residence Inn Tagaytay and Zoocolate Hills in Bohol) with animals that include Lions, Phytons, Crocodiles, and different kinds of birds among others with more than 50 tigers and hundreds of horses. The theme parks are part of Zoomanity Group which is under the Yupangco Holdings Corporation with more than 5,000 team members.

Robert graduated from De La Salle University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration then continued his education at the Asian Institute of Management, Harvard Business School, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in the USA.

His influences include his parents and family which includes the late Vice President of the Philippines, Salvador “Doy” Laurel who he served as one of his campaign managers during his time.

Robert is now also managing different restaurant branches under one of the famous Korean BBQs in the

The Philippines, Samgyupsalamat, is famous for having customers up to 2 AM every day because of its super affordable rates and delicious side dishes. His branches include Century City Mall in Makati, Metropolitan Road in Makati, Inside Residence Inn Tagaytay, and soon to have at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City.

When asked about his success, “It’s always about the team. The team is the one making it successful. I’m just giving them guidance. In all of my properties and businesses, there’s always one Operation Manager who is making sure to make a difference for their teams. They are so empowered that sometimes I don’t need to say anything anymore, they know what to do.”

Once in a while, even with his busy schedule with a standard 10 AM to 2 PM office meeting with the team, he is making sure that he can play golf with friends. That’s only one way for him to relax and to get some insights with regard to current events and politics though he is trying not to be involved unlike his Grandfather, President Jose P. Laurel, and uncle, Uncle, the late Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel.

Robert also received many awards already and that’s why he is in full support of Asia Leaders Awards 2018. His awards include the Kalakbay Award (the highest award in tourism under President Fidel V. Ramos, Entrepreneur of the Year under President Joseph Estrada, Most Outstanding Tourism Entrepreneur Under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, A Go Negosyo Awardee, Best Theme Park in the Philippines and the recipient of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) for Tourism. 

When asked about why he is involved now in Asia Leaders Awards 2018, “We need to acknowledge the

leaders we have now in the Philippines and beyond as they are the ones promoting their respective country and making a difference in their own ways.”

Robert added, “For me, success for employees and executing and doing the right things at the right time, right place, and with the right person/s/employee/s. A good organization innovates and markets outstandingly!!

As I keep on saying, it's not the company making the team ... it's the team that makes the company!!.”

Robert also added, “The objective of Zoomanity Group is to touch the lives of Filipinos and tourists in the field of hospitality, tourism, agri, and other related businesses.”

Asia Leaders Forum is a series of events with different leaders as speakers. Those who graced already were; Arch. Jun Palafox, Robert Laurel Yupangco, Sec. Raul Lambino, Executive Director Pepeton Ejercito Goitia, Charlie Rufino and Dr. Elton See Tan among others. The award is the culmination of the long-year forums to acknowledge the leaders who are promoting the Philippines as the premier business hub in Asia and a destination since Robert is in the Tourism industry, it’s also part of his advocacy.

When asked about his last message about his company, “What makes us different is because of our team!! (which makes our company, not the company making the team).”

More stories: