AKTOR Founding President and Chairman Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III and President Iza Calzado-Wintle led the swearing-in of the Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors (SPEEd) officers recently.
Industry leaders and longtime SPEEd partners, as well as members of the entertainment media, gathered to mark the formal transfer of leadership and recognize institutions that have supported the group and its annual film awards through The EDDYS.
Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor of The Manila Times was installed as president.
Joining her on the list of new officers are Maricris Valdez Nicasio (Hataw), vice president for internal affairs; Gerardine Trillana (Malaya Business Insight), vice-president for external affairs; Ervin Santiago (Inquirer Bandera), secretary; Rohn Romulo (People’s Balita), co-secretary; Dondon Sermino (Abante TNT and DWAR 1494), treasurer; Anna Pingol (Pika-Pika.com), co-treasurer; Jerry Olea (PEP.ph), reviewer; and public relations officers Nickie Wang (Manila Standard), Janice Navida (Bulgar) and Neil Ramos (Tempo).
Other members of SPEEd are Eugene Asis (People’s Journal), Ian Fariñas (People’s Tonight) and Salve Asis (Pilipino Star Ngayon and PangMasa), along with Nestor Cuartero (Manila Bulletin and Tempo), Dinah Ventura (“Daily Tribune”), Nathalie Tomada (Philippine Star), Bobby Requintina (Manila Bulletin), Jun Lalin (Abante) and retired editors Dindo Balares (Balita) and Rito Asilo (Philippine Daily Inquirer).
As part of the program, SPEEd gave its first-ever Recognition Awards to contributors who have stood by the organization over the years. Honorees were Claire Papa, assistant vice-president and head of External Affairs and Social Partnerships of Unilab Inc.; Maria Yolanda “Yoly” Crisanto, chief sustainability and corporate communications officer of Globe Telecom; Joy Andrade, director for Corporate Communications at Newport World Resorts; Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, board member of SoundCheck Inc.; Juancho Robles, president and chief executive officer of ChanRobles & Company CPAs; and Rhea “Rei” Anicoche-Tan, president and chief executive officer of Beautéderm.
“As we mark our 10th year as an organization, it is only fitting that we honor our partners who have helped us grow, sustain The Eddys, and celebrate Filipino talent at every successful stage,” said new president Mauricio-Arriola. “Their continued support reflects our commitment to further enhance Philippine entertainment.”
Meanwhile, SPEEd will also recognize its member publications in appreciation for their continued support for the organization’s mission to uphold integrity, professionalism, and responsible entertainment journalism.
The ceremony was held at the Bayanihan Center, a renowned event venue inside the Unilab compound in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
With the swearing-in of SPEEd officers for 2026 and the recognition of its industry partners, the organization moves forward with renewed determination and reaffirms its commitment to recognizing Filipino talent and promoting credible, principled journalism in the field of local entertainment.
