MANILA, Philippines — Social media, digital platforms and rapidly changing news consumption have transformed the way Filipinos follow business and economic developments.
But one partnership has survived those changes.
Ayala Group is marking 25 years of support for the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) Business Journalism Awards, renewing its partnership for the 35th edition of the annual awards this November.
The partnership was renewed on September 3 when EJAP president Ted Cordero and vice president for external Lorenz Marasigan signed the agreement with Ayala Corp. chief social infrastructure officer Paolo Borromeo.
The 35th EJAP Business Journalism Awards are scheduled for November 6, 2026.
A QUARTER-CENTURY OF BUSINESS REPORTING
What makes the partnership notable is its longevity.
For 25 years, Ayala has supported an awards program that recognizes journalists covering some of the most consequential areas of the Philippine economy—including finance, banking, telecommunications, energy and capital markets.
EJAP president Ted Cordero said the relationship has endured because both organizations share a belief that credible business reporting matters not only to markets but also to the public.
That role has arguably become even more important as the business-news environment has become more fragmented.
Filipinos can now encounter economic information through traditional newspapers, television, websites, social media platforms, newsletters, podcasts and other digital channels.
The speed has increased.
So has the challenge of determining what information deserves to be trusted.
AYALA: TRUSTED MEDIA MATTERS
For Ayala, continued support for business journalism is linked to the broader importance of informed citizens and strong institutions.
Borromeo said a trusted press and well-informed citizens are important to building strong institutions and a resilient, inclusive society.
That message comes at a time when business stories increasingly affect ordinary Filipinos directly.
Interest-rate decisions can influence mortgages and loans.
Energy developments can affect electricity costs.
Telecommunications investments can determine connectivity.
Banking and financial-market developments can influence savings and investments.
Corporate decisions can affect jobs, communities and consumers.
In that environment, business journalism is no longer simply about company earnings or stock-market movements.
It can help explain how economic decisions translate into everyday life.
THE AYALA GROUP’S BROADER SUPPORT
The renewed commitment extends across several companies and organizations within the Ayala Group.
According to InsiderPH, participating Ayala businesses include Ayala Land, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Globe Telecom, ACEN, AC Health, AC Logistics, ACMobility, ACX, Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc. (IMI), Mynt, iPeople and Ayala Foundation.
The breadth of the participation reflects how wide the business beats covered by Philippine economic journalists have become.
From banking and property to telecommunications, energy, healthcare, mobility, logistics and technology, the companies shaping the Philippine economy operate across increasingly interconnected industries.
EJAP’S AWARDS HAVE BECOME A FIXTURE
The partnership also comes as EJAP continues to recognize some of the country’s leading business journalists.
At the 34th EJAP Business Journalism Awards in 2025, The Philippine STAR was named Business News Source of the Year, while individual awards recognized reporters covering banking, finance, agriculture and mining, energy, macroeconomics, capital markets, telecommunications and transportation, and trade.
The awards have also recognized online journalism.
In previous editions, GMA News Online’s Jon Viktor Cabuenas was named Online Business Reporter of the Year, demonstrating how EJAP’s recognition has expanded beyond traditional print journalism.
THE BIGGER STORY: JOURNALISM IS CHANGING
The significance of the 25-year partnership goes beyond an awards ceremony.
The Philippine business-news industry today operates in an environment where stories can spread within minutes—and where misinformation can spread just as quickly.
A major corporate announcement, a central-bank decision or a market-moving development can reach millions of Filipinos almost instantly.
But speed can also create pressure to publish before all the facts are verified.
That makes the traditional principles of business journalism—accuracy, context, accountability and rigorous reporting—even more important.
The challenge for today’s journalists is no longer simply getting the story first.
It is getting the story right, explaining why it matters and giving readers enough context to understand its consequences.
NOVEMBER 6 WILL MARK THE NEXT CHAPTER
The 35th EJAP Business Journalism Awards will bring another generation of Philippine business reporting into the spotlight on November 6.
For Ayala, the renewed partnership extends a relationship that has already lasted a quarter-century.
For EJAP, it provides continued support for a platform dedicated to recognizing excellence in economic and business reporting.
And for the broader media industry, the milestone offers a timely reminder:
The platforms may change. The technology may change. The way Filipinos consume news may change.
But the demand for credible information about the economy remains.
And after 25 years, Ayala and EJAP are betting that quality business journalism still matters.
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