What makes a team truly magaling at what they do? Is it their skill, their drive, or the environment that shapes them? Perhaps, it is all of these, a blend of passion, perseverance, and purpose that transforms ideas into impact.
This year’s 1RE Inyovation Day held on October 6, 2025, at the UnionBank Innovation Campus in San Pedro, Laguna headed by the Business Process and Innovation Team, challenged every participant to reflect on this very idea — that innovation starts with you. The theme, “Galíng RE, Gáling RE!” encapsulates the essence of the event: from RE, excellence by RE, it is a celebration of galing — the kind of excellence that comes from within each individual and radiates across the entire 1RE community.
Now that all renewable energy business units — Geothermal, Hydro, Solar, and Wind — have come together under 1RE, the 2025 1RE Inyovation Day marked a new era of unity and collaboration. For the first time, every group had the opportunity to showcase their innovative projects, each one a testament to how 1AP continuously strives to achieve the mission, “transforming energy for a better world.”
“Innovation and growth must be personal,” said Jimmy Villaroman, President of Aboitiz Renewables, Inc., during his opening remarks. “Growth and innovation really go together, you can’t detach them. Can we really achieve growth without having achieved some innovation? Real innovation eventually would have led to growth. If you ask me, what is the best kind of innovation? It is innovation where the real reward is not the growth of the business, but more importantly, the growth that people and teams experience.”
His message set the tone for the day, reminding everyone that innovation is not just about technology or systems, but also about growth and resilience.
This year’s Inyovation Day featured 14 projects from across 1RE, each bringing unique perspectives and bold ideas to the table. From breakthrough technologies to process improvements and safety-driven programs, the projects showcased the diverse skill sets and diskarte of the participants.
The format followed a PechaKucha-style presentation, a creative challenge where each team presented their initiative in just 7 minutes using 20 slides and to be reported in 20 seconds each slide. This fast-paced style kept the energy high and highlighted each team’s ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and impact.
Projects were assessed based on AboitizPower’s core values — Integrity, Teamwork, Innovation, Responsibility, and Service Excellence — along with measurable impact on performance and growth.
Before reaching the final stage, projects underwent a rigorous two-phase evaluation. The Preliminary Screening Committee, chaired by Ma. Loida Padulip, 1RE AVP for Business Process Excellence, including Dondi Laban (Hydro AVP for Operations and Maintenance), Nuj Ramos (1RE Safety, Health, and Environment Head), Angelee Tiu (1RE HR BP Head for Builds and Support), Annabel Bermundo (SCM Support Services Head), Christmer Canete (Solar Grid Manager), Gilbert Alfanta (IT Manager), and Marvin Dy (Risk Finance Lead).
Finalists then presented before the Final Screening Committee, led by Jimmy Villaroman as Panel Chair, with Alex Coo (Renewable Chief Operating Officer), Nicole Nuguid (Planning, Risk, and Business Process Head), Charlie Valerio (Chief Information Officer, Aboitiz Power Corporation), and Iya Valen (Venture Principal, 1882 Energy Ventures).
One of the most anticipated recognitions of the day was the 1RE Major Awards. Taking center stage was the Growth-Driven Project of the Year – Champion, awarded to Bad Actor Blitz, demonstrating how innovation can directly translate into operational excellence, the project exemplified the day’s message, that growth and innovation go hand in hand.
Meanwhile, the Growth-Driven Project of the Year – Runner-Up was awarded to GeoShield, a strong testament to how continuous improvement drives efficiency across operations.
Among the standout initiatives under Category Awards are:
- Responsibility – SHE Champion: HealthyMe, HealthyAPRI (Michael Roy Brosas)
- Innovation – Agile Champion: Bad Actor Blitz (Michael Abiera & Darien Gabriel Villar)
- Innovation – Process Improvement Champion: Monitor Max Pro (Jade Carl Mendoza)
- Innovation – Process Improvement Runner-up: Project ARGUS (Jonalyn Albero)
- Innovation – Breakthrough Champion: GeoShield (Edzel Lopez)
- Innovation – Breakthrough Runner-up: SkiteGPT (King Joshua Arzadon)
The 1RE People’s Choice Award, voted by the 1RE community, was won by Grid M.A.P and Project NEO, proving that innovation resonates not only through results but through inspiration and connection.
As Nicole Nuguid mentioned, “Innovation is personal, in our own personal spaces, we should look at ways on how to do things better. But beyond the personal level of innovation, let us start expanding our horizon.” She also added [a principle from Uri Levine, co-founder of Waze], “Don’t fall in love with the solution, but fall in love with the problem. It is clear to us what the problem is, what we want to solve, the value we want to create and the gap that is existing. This is a testament na magaling ang mga taga-1RE.”
As seen throughout the showcase at the UnionBank Innovation Campus, 2025 1RE Inyovation Day was more than a competition, it was a reflection of creativity and shared excellence. It was a reminder that galing is not confined to individuals — it grows stronger when nurtured collectively.
When we ask, “Saan nga ba nanggagaling ang galing?” — the answer becomes clear, it shines through the people of 1RE. It comes from everyone who dares to participate, collaborate, and innovate with purpose.
Indeed, Galíng RE, Gáling RE!— from us, by us, transforming energy for a better world.
