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AR Foundation and Casino Plus Convene Multi-Sector Jury for “Hero For All” Final Deliberation

The AR Foundation and Casino Plus, a premier entertainment platform duly licensed by PAGCOR, officially convened a distinguished multi-sector jury panel for the final deliberation of the “Hero For All” campaign, a nationwide initiative dedicated to recognizing everyday Filipinos who embody compassion, resilience, sacrifice, and service.

Held on May , 2026, in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, the deliberation marked a major milestone for the campaign following a month-long nomination period that gathered hundreds of inspiring stories from across the Philippines. The initiative was created not only to honor acts of kindness and community service, but also to inspire more Filipinos to create meaningful change within their own communities by highlighting stories of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things without seeking recognition.

Leading the jury panel were respected figures from media, government, academe, and civil society, including Alden Richards, Joy Flavier-Alampay of the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation, Ma. Teresa Habitan of the Philippine Tax Academy, Tina Arceo-Dumlao of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Daniel Cecilio of PAGCOR. Joining the broader deliberation process was Ramon P. Tuazon, Secretary General of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, who participated during the initial deliberation rounds.

According to Alden Richards, founder of the AR Foundation and Casino Plus Lead Advocate, initiatives like Hero For All are especially important today because they remind people that heroism is not defined by fame, power, or social status. He emphasized that stories of ordinary Filipinos showing compassion, sacrifice, and service help restore hope and encourage others to act with kindness in their own ways.

Casino Plus likewise underscored the importance of recognizing quiet acts of heroism happening across communities nationwide. The platform shared that many individuals choose compassion and courage despite life’s challenges without expecting anything in return, and that Hero For All was designed to honor these stories while reminding Filipinos that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful impact.

Following its official launch on April 9, 2026, the campaign received nominations from April 10 to May 1 through multiple channels, including social media submissions, the Casino Plus website, and endorsements from non-government organizations and local government units. To qualify, nominees were required to be Filipino residents aged 21 and above who had demonstrated documented acts of heroism or meaningful community contribution within the past five years. Supporting materials such as photos, videos, and published articles also formed part of the validation process.

From hundreds of submissions, shortlisted nominees advanced to the final deliberation stage, where jurors independently evaluated candidates using a clearly defined scoring framework focused on documented impact, geographic representation, story readiness, corporate social responsibility alignment, and “story transferability” — a principle that measures whether a nominee’s actions can inspire similar acts of compassion and civic responsibility in other communities. The organization emphasized that the campaign is firmly anchored on authenticity, integrity, and long-term community impact rather than popularity.

Joy Flavier-Alampay reflected on the experience by sharing that all the nominees demonstrated extraordinary goodness not because they were asked to, but because helping others came naturally to them. She added that being part of the jury inspired everyone involved and left them carrying a piece of every story they encountered. Ma. Teresa Habitan also noted that what stood out most among the nominees was the genuine compassion they showed by going beyond themselves to help others in meaningful ways.

Meanwhile, PAGCOR Senior Vice President for Land-Based Operations Daniel Cecilio shared that a true “Hero For All” is someone who consistently embodies selflessness, courage, inclusivity, and long-lasting impact. Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Business Features Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, also highlighted the campaign’s significance in today’s environment, saying that initiatives like Hero For All remind people that there is still so much goodness worth celebrating despite the negativity often seen in everyday life.

The campaign will culminate in a grand awarding ceremony hosted by award-winning broadcast journalist Pinky Webb on August 31, 2026, in celebration of National Heroes Day, where selected honorees will be formally recognized for their exceptional contributions to society.

In line with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus also reminded players that gaming should be treated strictly as a form of entertainment and never as a source of income or financial relief. The company encouraged players to game responsibly and within their means, while emphasizing that all gaming outcomes are determined by chance and previous results do not influence future outcomes.

Casino Plus remains committed to delivering a secure, fair, and engaging digital entertainment experience guided by responsible gaming principles and player protection standards, while continuing to support meaningful initiatives that create positive impact within Filipino communities.