MAKATI CITY — Inside the ballroom of the Fairmont Hotel, seven Filipino workers sat among business leaders and government officials. They were not executives or politicians. They were manufacturing, engineering and technology sectors. Last May 28, 2026, the Rotary Club of Manila honored them as the 2026 TOWER (The Outstanding Workers of the Republic) Awardees, a testament to how grassroots ingenuity can generate millions in savings and transform industries.
Jansen Angeles: Turning Waste into Wealth
Jansen “Jans” Angeles of Zenith Foods Corporation saw a problem on the sausage production line: excessive waste that hurt both profits and the environment. He developed a waste-management innovation that not only improved wastewater treatment but also saved his company over P9 million. “Do not be shy to pitch your ideas, no matter how small,” Angeles told fellow workers. “Even small improvements can have a big impact on the company”. His story proves that one person‘s observation can become a company-wide breakthrough.
Roberto Bismonte: From a Movie Dream to 3D Printing Pioneer
Roberto “Bob” Bismonte of Global 3D Systems found inspiration in an unlikely place: the movie The Terminator. That curiosity led him to help pioneer locally designed, industrial-grade SLA 3D printers, reducing equipment costs by as much as 55 percent. PEZA Director General Tereso Panga noted that Bismonte’s innovations could even be used for repairs in outer space. What began as a childhood fascination became a technology that now benefits entire industries, proving that imagination knows no bounds.
Renato Lopez and Rowena Gumban: Efficiency Champions at Dole Philippines
At Dole Philippines, Renato “Boyax” Lopez developed an automated cup inverter system that reduced manual handling and boosted productivity, generating over P7.6 million in savings. His colleague Rowena “Weng” Gumban redesigned processing line operations, cutting manpower requirements and saving over P9.2 million. Gumban, the only woman among this year’s awardees, said proudly: “Yes, it‘s a fight for women. The only woman. So, I am proud that among the seven awardees, a woman made it”. Both stories highlight how process improvements can ripple through an entire organization, creating lasting value.
More Innovators, Lasting Impact
Norvin Adang of Franklin Baker Company turned coconut by-products into an organic lubricant alternative, saving his company over P1.6 million annually. Jose Luis Millena of DENSO Philippines automated nutrient dosing for hydroponic farming, merging agriculture and technology. Jerry Dalioan of Yazaki-Torres Manufacturing was recognized for consistent process improvements that kept his factory running efficiently. Each awardee received a plaque and a cash prize, but the real reward is knowing their ideas have changed workplaces for the better.
A Night That Reminded Everyone: The Filipino Worker Is the Nation’s Greatest Asset
Rotary Club of Manila President Raoul C. Creencia addressed the awardees directly: “Your stories are etched in sweat, grit, and imagination. You remind us that true intelligence is not only confined to titles or ranks, but revealed in the ability to see a problem and dare to introduce a solution”. TOWER Awards 2026 Chairman Jesus M. Pineda Jr. added, “The true engine of our economy does not beat in the boardroom, it beats on the factory floor”. For the seven workers honored that night, the Fairmont ballroom became a stage where the quiet heroes of Philippine industry finally received the spotlight they deserved.
