FROM flying to remote areas in the country, RepublicAsia’s founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Bran Reluao now brings his advocacy of empowering Filipino youth through education to the national pageant stage.
The Gen Z digital disruptor joined forces with the Miss Universe Philippines (MUPH) Organization, serving as chairperson of this year’s MUPH Charity Gala.
Reluao’s appointment was announced in a press conference in Okada Manila, where he signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) alongside MUPH President Jonas Gaffud and Executive Vice President Voltaire Tayag.
The event was also attended by Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig, Miss Universe Asia Chelsea Manalo, Miss Universe Europe and Middle East Matilda Wirtavuori, Miss Universe Americas Tatiana Calmell, and Miss Universe Africa and Oceania Chidimma Adetshina.
“It’s an honor to be part of an organization that has long championed beauty with a purpose through education, empowerment, and humanitarian work,” Reluao said.
“This mission aligns deeply with my company’s, RepublicAsia, commitment to informing, inspiring, and uplifting communities,” he added.
The MUPH Charity Gala will be held on Wednesday, April 30, at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom. Proceeds from the event will be given to the social services and development agency Caritas Manila and the non-profit humanitarian organization Hope for Change, which provides education sponsorship for students.
The MUPH 2025 Charity Gala will be graced by the Miss Universe 2024 titleholders and MUPH 2025 delegates as special guests.
“Miss Universe Philippines has a proud legacy of creating real impact, sending elementary, high school, and college students to school,” Reluao stressed.
He continued, “This event is more than a celebration of beauty; it’s a call to action for education, empowerment, and hope.”
According to Tayag, the MUPH Organization has 15 scholars. At the Charity Gala, he said there would be testimonials from several graduates—one of them is already a doctor—whom the organization sent to school.
“You can only imagine the impact that’s gonna have, and we hope that in the upcoming charity gala, we’re able to magnify all of our efforts a lot more,” he added.
Digital access for Filipino students
In partnership with several private sectors and government agencies, RepublicAsia launched the “Pay IT Forward: A Digital Transformation Advocacy,” which aims to give digital access to Filipino students in far-flung areas of the country.
The Gen Z-dominated newsroom—along with iACADEMY, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)—distributed 100 tablets and three Starlink units in eight public schools in remote areas in Cebu on April 11.
Last Friday, RepublicAsia and iACADEMY signed another MOA with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), GMA Kapuso Foundation, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center to bring the “Pay IT Forward” advocacy to Marawi.
This time, four schools built by GMA Kapuso Foundation in Marawi will be among the beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Sparkle artist Sofia Pablo was tapped as the “Pay It Forward” ambassador.
