7 honored for innovation, diligence at Rotary Club Manila's TOWER Awards

The Rotary Club of Manila (RCM) recognized seven Filipino workers for their innovation and diligence at the 2026 The Outstanding Workers of the Republic (TOWER) Awards in Makati City on Thursday.

This year’s awardees are:

• Norvin Adang of Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines
• Jansen Angeles of Zenith Food Corporation
• Roberto Bismonte of Global 3D System, Inc.
• Jerry Dalioan of Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing, Inc.
• Rowena Gumban of Dole Philippines, Inc.
• Renato Lopez of Dole Philippines, Inc.
• Jose Luis Millena of Denso Philippines Corporation

Based in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur, Adang is a mechanical lead man who has developed locally produced organic pairing oil derived from the company’s byproducts as a replacement lubricant in industrial manufacturing.

A graduate from Tarlac State University, Angeles was honored for designing an in-house fabricated straining system that separated solid waste from liquid waste, reducing water disposal and improving the company’s operational efficiency.

Hailing from Albay, Bismonte led the design and production of locally industrial-grade 3D printing equipment that supported industries such as medical, automotive, engineering, and manufacturing.

Dalioan has worked at Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing since 2015. He developed a tool that addresses recurring issues with wire misalignment and damage during production, which helps reduce defects and lower manpower requirements from three operators to two.

Working at Dole Philippines, Inc. since 2003, Gumban is a production leader who designed and implemented a system that addressed inefficiencies in pineapple processing operations.

Meanwhile, Lopez is a mechanic who developed a cup inverter system, which automated the repositioning of cups during packing operations, reducing unnecessary manual handling.

Joining Denso Philippines in 2023, Millena created an automated nutrient dosing system for hydroponics, a method of growing plants without soil. This reduced labor hours, minimized human error, and produced more stable and uniform crop quality.

Pitch ideas, seize opportunities

Speaking to the media, Angeles urged fellow employees to pitch their ideas to their companies since it can bring improvements, big or small.

“Huwag kayong mahihiyang mag-pitch ng inyong mga ideas no matter how small, so kahit na small ang improvement, malaki pala yung impact sa company,” said Angeles, who has been working in Zenith Food Corporation For 12 years.

(Do not be shy to pitch your ideas, no matter how small, so even if they are a small improvement, they can have a big impact on the company.)

“Very honored sa recognition, so nagpapakita lang na mga katulad naming mga worker ay nakikita at binabale-value kahit sa behind the scenes yung trabaho namin. Natutuwa kami na merong ganitong awards na nagbibigay ng ganitong recognition sa katulad naming mga manggagawa,” he added.

(I’m very honored to receive such recognition, as it shows that workers like us are seen and valued, even for the work we do behind the scenes. We are happy for such awards that give recognition to workers like us.)

Meanwhile, Gumban said she carries the honor of women in the labor force as the only woman to receive this year’s TOWER Awards.

“Yes, laban ng kababaihan. The only woman. So, proud ako na sa seven na awardee, may pumasok na babae, so go go ang mga babae,” she told reporters.

(Yes, it’s a fight for women. The only woman. So, I’m proud that among the seven awardees, a woman made it in. So go, go women!)

Gumban urged workers, especially working mothers, to be persistent and open to innovation and learning that comes their way.

“Message ko lang po lalo na sa mga co-workers ko, especially sa mga babae, sa mga working moms na be persistent and patuloy ang competence sa trabaho. Open dapat sa mga innovation and lahat ng mga binibigay na mga opportunity sa company,” she said.

(My message to my co-workers, especially to women, to working moms, is to be persistent and continue to be competent at work. You must be open to innovations and all the opportunities provided by the company.)

The awardees are chosen from companies under the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. Each awardee received P100,000 in cash.

RCM centennial president and TOWER Awards 2026 chairman Jesus Pineda Jr. said this year’s recognition highlights the workers’ efforts in their industry.

“We're giving dignity to the blue-collar workers. It's really high time that we highlight their work in the core spaces of our industries,” Pineda said.

“Because with them, they were able to innovate, create, and do whatever it takes to benefit the companies. Not only the companies, but the community that they are in,” he added.

Established in 1975, TOWER Awards recognize Filipino workers, especially rank-and-file, blue-collar, and non-supervisory white-collar employees, for their contributions to the country’s economic growth.

It aims to boost workers’ morale, improve career opportunities, and encourage workplace harmony by honoring those who show excellence, innovation, and dedication in their jobs. — BM, GMA News