The AR (Alden Richards) Foundation and Casino Plus—a premier entertainment platform duly licensed by PAGCOR—convened an elite multi-sectoral jury featuring Alden Richards, Joy Flavier-Alampay (Ramon Magsaysay Foundation), Ma. Teresa Habitan (Philippine Tax Academy), Tina Arceo-Dumlao (Philippine Daily Inquirer), and Daniel Cecilio (PAGCOR).
The final jury deliberation for the “Hero For All” campaign, a nationwide search dedicated to identifying and honoring “everyday” Filipino heroes who demonstrate extraordinary compassion, resilience, and service.
The landmark deliberation was held on May 8, 2026, following a month-long nationwide nomination period.
The session took place in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, Philippines.
The campaign aims to shine a light on individuals who perform extraordinary acts of kindness without seeking fame. As Alden Richards noted, these stories help “shine a light on people who usually go unnoticed… it’s important that we continue telling stories that have heart, purpose, and humanity” to inspire others to act with compassion.
Shortlisted nominees were evaluated using a rigorous scoring framework based on five pillars: Documented Impact, Story Transferability, Geographic Representation, Story Readiness, and CSR Alignment. This process ensures the program remains anchored in authenticity and long-lasting community impact rather than mere popularity.
The campaign will reach its peak with a grand awarding ceremony hosted by Pinky Webb on August 31, 2026, in celebration of National Heroes Day.
AR Foundation and Casino Plus Convene Powerhouse Multi-Sector Jury for Hero For All Deliberation
Hero For All Final Deliberation Jurors from left to right: Joy Flavier-Alampay, Director of the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute of the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation; Ma. Teresa Habitan, Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Tax Academy; Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Business Features Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; Daniel Cecilio, Senior Vice President for Land-Based Operations of PAGCOR
Taguig City, Philippines, 08 May 2026 — The Hero For All Campaign by Casino Plus and Alden Richards (AR) Foundation reaches a landmark milestone today as it convenes a powerhouse multi-sector jury for its final deliberation—-held at Bonifacio Global City—to select the everyday Filipino heroes who will be honored under the program.
Moving beyond recognition alone, Hero for All was created to celebrate stories of compassion, resilience, sacrifice, and service — stories that reflect the enduring spirit of the Filipino people and inspire others to create meaningful change within their own communities.
Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible entertainment and gaming platforms duly licensed by PAGCOR, underscored the importance of finding hope even in difficult times: “Heroism often exists quietly in communities across the country, where ordinary people choose compassion and courage despite life’s challenges. Many never seek recognition for their actions. Through this initiative, we hope to honor their stories and remind Filipinos that even small acts of kindness can create meaningful impact when hope is needed most.”
“Initiatives like “Hero For All” are very important today because they remind people that heroism is not limited to fame, power, or big positions in society. In a world where a lot of people are quietly struggling, stories of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary acts of kindness, sacrifice, and service give people hope again,” said Alden Richards, AR Foundation founder and Casino Plus Lead Advocate.
To ensure fairness, integrity, and accountability throughout the Hero For All selection process, the organization assembled respected and credible leaders from media, civil society, academe, and government to serve as members of the jury panel.
Joy Flavier-Alampay, Director of the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute of the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation
Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Business Features Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
Ma. Teresa Habitan, Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Tax Academy
Ramon P. Tuazon, Secretary General of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, (participated in the first batch deliberations)
Daniel Cecilio, Senior Vice President for Land-Based Operations of PAGCOR
and Alden Richards, award-winning actor, AR Foundation founder and Casino Plus Lead Advocate
Nearly a month after its official launch on April 9, 2026, hundreds of nominations were received from April 10 to May 1, 2026 through multiple channels, including social media submissions, the Casino Plus website, and endorsements from non-government organizations (NGOs) and local government units (LGUs).
To qualify, nominees must be Filipino residents aged 21 years old and above with documented acts of heroism or meaningful community contribution within the last five years. Supporting evidence — including photos, videos, or published articles — also formed part of the validation process.
“All those nominated have shown extraordinary goodness — not because they were asked to, but because it came naturally from the goodness of their hearts. We all need heroes in our lives. Being part of this jury has inspired all of us, and we leave this room carrying a piece of every story we encountered.” said Joy Flavier-Alampay, Director of the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute.
Maria Teresa Habitan, Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Tax Academy added, “What really stands out is how they went out of themselves to help others so it’s compassion that’s lived and acted upon.”
From hundreds of entries received, shortlisted nominees advanced to the final jury deliberation stage.
Nominees are evaluated based on five core criteria:
Documented Impact
Story Transferability
Geographic Representation
Story Readiness
Corporate Social Responsibility Alignment
PAGCOR SVP for Land-based Operations Daniel Cecilio, meanwhile, shared his vision of what it means to be a Hero for All: “A hero for all is someone who embodies selflessness — that’s number one. Courage, inclusivity, and long-lasting impact. And all of these things have to be very consistent. Yun ang kailangan.”
Hero for All’s Commitment to Transparency and Integrity
Each juror independently evaluates nominees using a clearly defined scoring framework prior to formal deliberations, with all records retained to ensure the integrity of the selection process. Unlike popularity-driven awards, Hero for All is anchored on authenticity, impact and the ripple effect of creating more community heroes.
One of the program’s defining principles is “story transferability” — assessing whether a nominee’s actions can inspire similar acts of courage, compassion, or civic responsibility in other communities.
Business Editor Tina Arceo-Dumlao reflected on the significance of the initiative, “These stories give me hope that there is still so much good around us that deserves to be celebrated and recognized. This initiative feels especially timely amid today’s negativity. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it.”
The campaign will culminate in its grand awarding ceremony hosted by award winning broadcast journalist Pinky Webb on August 31, 2026, in celebration of National Heroes Day, where the selected honorees will be recognized for their exceptional contributions to society.
RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY
In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to remind all players of the following:
Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within their means.
Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past results,including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.
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