Maan Hontiveros Recognized Globally as a Filipina of Distinction

The Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) has selected Maan Hontiveros, CEO of AirAsia Inc. Philippines and Chair of AirAsia Zest as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World (Global FWN100)™ – Builder award category for 2014.

The award, according to FWN, is given to those who have demonstrated exceptional business impact at a large workplace environment; displaying deep passion for a cause through collaborative initiatives or alliances with nonprofit organizations on behalf of her own organization; demonstrates high potential and skill with measurable results at a government agency, or organization in the public and private sectors.

The 100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the World Award™ recognizes Filipina women who are influencing the face of leadership in the global workplace, having reached status for outstanding work in their respective fields and are recognized for their leadership, achievement and contributions to society.

“They are powerful examples of women doing extraordinary work who will motivate our youth and future leaders,” said Thelma Boac, Chair of the Global FWN100™ Worldwide Search and Selection Committee. “They were selected based on the size and scope of their positions, influence in their industries and their communities, board affiliations and other leadership roles. Nominations were received from 16 countries.”

“The Global FWN100™ Awards is the heart of FWN’s Filipina Global Power 2020 Vision: build the Filipina community’s pipeline of qualified leaders to increase the odds that some will rise to the “president” position in the public and private sectors of the global economy,” added Marily Mondejar, FWN’s Founder & CEO. “A number of Filipina women have migrated all over the world to seek some form of leadership and economic empowerment – their collective stories of how they disrupted their professional and personal lives will be the largest recorded diaspora in modern times.”

(L-R) FWN Board Chair Elena Mangahas, Maan, FWN President Susie Quesada and FWN CEO founder Marily Mondejar during the awarding ceremony held in Shangri La Hotel Makati City, Philippines

Representing AirAsia at the awarding ceremonies held recently in Makati City, AirAsia Zest CEO Joy Cañeba said “We are honoured to work with Maan who dared and continues to disrupt the ordinary to create value in the lives of others. She is an inspiration to us all as we revolutionize air travel in the Philippines.”

Maan was recognized for ‘To Philippines with Love’ (#toPHwithLove) campaign which took place over a six-week period between November 16 to Dec 31, 2013 when the airline group launched a region-wide donation campaign to enable its guest to contribute to Typhoon Haiyan reconstruction efforts. The multi-tiered campaign included collections of cash donations on board flights and at selected airports throughout the AirAsia Group network, as well as a dedicated AirAsia Foundation microsite.

Two days after Haiyan first made landfall, AirAsia Philippines led by Maan as the head of Task Force Yolanda, started to mount rescue and relief flights to Cebu, Kalibo and a few days later directly to the most devastated area in Visayas, Tacloban. The first Fifteen (15) days since the initial response were fulfilling but challenging as it required a lot of AirAsia staff to work round the clock to operate flights and support for our countrymen.

In May 2014, Maan with AirAsia Group led by Group CEO Tony Fernandes, AirAsia X CEO Azran Osman-Rani, AA Foundation Executive Director Mun Ching Yap and corporate partners went to Tacloban and personally handed donations amounting to P97 million (US $2.17 million) from its ‘To Philippines with Love’ campaign to aid rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) ravaged areas.

The donations were comprised of public-giving, a matching component by the AirAsia group and contributions by AirAsia partner companies. The amount collected were distributed to four development partners (Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Hapinoy and Rags2Riches) to fulfil the airline’s pledge to support the rebuilding of homes and livelihood for typhoon survivors.
“AirAsia is firmly committed to the philosophy that no corporation can live apart from the community it serves. As a truly Asean airline, we will always extend a helping hand to the communities we serve in their time of need. I am humbled by this recognition and I would like to share this with my AirAsia family, through our collective actions we can all be part of a much needed transformation,” Maan Hontiveros said.

Maan has been awarded the Outstanding Achievement Medal for public service of the highest order rendered during the People’s Revolution from 22 to 25 February 1986 for her role in providing the first remote television coverage of the reformist headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, enabling Juan Ponce Enrile and Fidel V. Ramos to continuously speak to the people to rally for their support and announce more defections.