Pageant owner and entrepreneur Arnold Vegafria was honored with the Humanitarian Influencer of the Year award at the HyperLive Impact Influencer Festival and Awards 2025, held March 9 at the Grand Ballroom of the Magellan Sutera in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
“I am greatly honored to have been recognized by our Asian neighbors for my humanitarian advocacies,” Vegafria said. “I thank everyone who shares my vision for charity and social responsibility.”
The event drew notable personalities and dignitaries from across Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea. It brought together digital creators, visionary entrepreneurs, social advocates and public figures in a celebration of innovation, empowerment and global impact, while also promoting Sabah’s growing tourism industry.
Vegafria dedicated the award to his team at the ALV Group of Companies, as well as the pageant queens, athletes and political leaders his company has supported over the years.
“I also dedicate this award to the people of Olongapo City, who believe in my vision for public service and who have encouraged me to run,” said Vegafria, who is currently a mayoral candidate in Olongapo.
“With this award, I hope to continue inspiring my constituents through this humble recognition, and to further extend my humanitarian efforts to those who need them most — and to those who dream of bringing back the glory of our beloved city,” he added.
A key figure in the Philippine entertainment industry, Vegafria is known for his work in talent management, concert production, advertising and large-scale events. His longstanding commitment to humanitarian causes has spanned pageantry, public service, and philanthropic work in both entertainment and sports.
While in Malaysia, he also praised the state’s ongoing developments.
“Sabah has made remarkable progress with its tourism infrastructure,” he said. “The Malaysian state and its adjoining cities are modernized, making it at par with its progressive Asian neighbors. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sabah becomes one of the most visited tourist destinations in Asia in the coming years.”
