“I may be a PWD but I am a PHD: Person Having Determination.”
It was truly the inspiring story of Happiest Pinoy 2025 winner Zacarias Mansing Jr.—a reminder that disability should never be a hindrance to serving and inspiring others.
It is a line that captures not only his spirit, but the foundation of his advocacy.
In Cebuana Lhuillier’s announcement, the brand introduced ten remarkable finalists who brought with them powerful stories of hope, courage, and unwavering faith in life.
• Happy at 60 – Cresencia Llao
• No Way Kapansanan – Zacarias Mansing Jr.
• Katutubo (Tribo) – Jason Ray Sibug
• Inspiradong Champion – Darwin Tadifa
• Bibo sa Negosyo – Naprey Almario
• Happiest Ka-Cebuana – Glaidel Balog
• Creative Pinoy – Christian Apolinario
• Bagong Bayani, Hatid Sigla – Juan Carlos Soriano
• Proud as Pride – Ronnel Ojas
• Masayahing Gen Z – Joshua Charles Saguban
In a message from Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier, he shared the rationale behind the advocacy:
“We wanted to honor these individuals. We wanted their stories to be heard. And we wanted the nation to be reminded that resilience, gratitude, and kindness are deeply embedded in who we are.
At Cebuana Lhuillier, these values fuel our mission. We uplift lives not only through the services we provide, but through advocacies like the Happiest Pinoy that highlight character, empower personal progress, and champion the limitless potential of every Filipino.”
Zacarias Mansing Jr.: Literacy and Disability Inclusion Advocate Crowned 2025 Happiest Pinoy
Cebuana Lhuillier has officially named Zacarias Mansing Jr. as the 2025 Happiest Pinoy, selecting him from more than 500,000 entries nationwide—one of the highest in the history of the competition. His remarkable journey of turning personal adversity into a mission for children’s literacy and disability inclusion captured the hearts of judges and audiences alike.
Held December 2 at Dusit Thani Manila, this year’s awarding ceremony showcased the diversity of Filipino resilience, featuring finalists from youth and senior sectors, entrepreneurship, persons with disabilities, OFWs, workforce members, LGBTQ+ advocates, creatives, indigenous peoples, at mga Ka-Cebuana clients. Each one carried a narrative rooted in hope—pero ang kwento ni Zacarias ang umangat dahil sa linaw ng kanyang layunin at lawak ng impact sa komunidad.
A diverse panel of judges composed of public servants, media personalities, social innovators, athletes, and former Happiest Pinoy awardees evaluated the finalists across four criteria: Resilience; Optimism and Genuine Happiness; Champion of Hope and Impact; and the X-Factor that reflects authenticity and sincerity.
And for many, that X-factor was evident the moment Zacarias introduced himself with his now-iconic declaration.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Zacarias’s life changed in 2012 when an accident abroad left him paralyzed. The years that followed were filled with uncertainty—pero doon niya natagpuan ang panibagong direksyon. Instead of giving up, he returned home with a renewed mission: to bring literacy, hope, and inclusion to children in remote communities.
Guided by his DRISO values—Determination, Resilience, Inspiration, Service, and Optimism—he launched the Books for Kids Project in 2017. From his wheelchair, he has visited over 300 remote public schools and reached more than 50,000 students across Negros Oriental and neighboring provinces.
Bitbit ang mga libro, kwento, at inspirasyon, tinatahak ni Zacarias ang mga lugar na kadalasan ay hindi naaabot ng tradisyunal na serbisyo. Here, he brings more than reading sessions—he brings belongingness and representation. To children who rarely meet someone with a disability serving the community, Zacarias becomes a living lesson: you are capable, you are worthy, and you can rewrite your destiny.
As he shared during his acceptance of the award:
“Being a Happiest Pinoy is about having a spirit that trusts God in all circumstances, and hands that are always ready to reach out to those in need.”
Through Zacarias, thousands of children have found their love for reading, countless families have discovered renewed hope, and communities have seen how one person’s resolve can ripple into long-term impact.
And for him, this work is far from over.
