PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) received honors at the LinkedIn Talent Awards Philippines, reflecting their sustained efforts to foster a workplace that values learning, skills development, and long-term career growth.
“These distinctions reflect the kind of workplace we aim to build—one where our people are encouraged to continuously learn, adapt to new technologies, and view change as an opportunity,” said Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez, Jr., PLDT chief operating officer. “By investing in skills, especially in AI, we enable our employees to grow alongside the business and deliver greater value to the customers and communities we serve.”
PLDT and Smart were awarded Best Employer Brand on LinkedIn in the category for organizations with more than 10,000 employees on LinkedIn. The citation highlights the strength of the Group’s internal and external employer branding, anchored on its purpose of inspiring innovations and meaningful connections through generations, or in its essence #MakeItMeaningful.
Since its launch in 2023, #MakeItMeaningful has anchored purpose-led and authentic employee moments that reflect how purpose and care are embedded in daily work across the organization. Moving beyond conventional corporate messaging, it amplifies real stories from within the workforce. It surpassed LinkedIn global benchmarks with double positive scores, through purely organic engagement driven entirely by employee ambassadorship.
Guided by insights on the external success of #MakeItMeaningful and feedback from its people through the Employee Engagement Survey in 2024, PLDT and Smart developed the *WE:CARE Framework: Workplace Experiences that Connect, Align, Recognize, and Empower, further strengthening the foundation for a culture where people feel engaged, supported, and proud in representing the organization.
Smart was also named a Finalist for AI Pioneer: Learning Champion in the category for organizations with 5,000 to 10,000 employees on LinkedIn. The citation points to the company’s emphasis on developing future-ready capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence and emerging digital skills.
The awards further affirm PLDT and Smart’s commitment to continuous development. Through structured training programs, digital learning platforms, and hands-on opportunities, employees are encouraged to upskill, apply AI in their roles, and remain relevant in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
“At the heart of these recognitions is our continued commitment to creating a workplace where our people feel connected, aligned, recognized, and empowered to do their best work. As technology and industries continue to evolve, we remain focused on building future-ready capabilities, strengthening leadership, and fostering an organization that enables our people to grow, thrive, and create meaningful impact for our customers and the nation,” said Gina Ordoñez, PLDT and Smart chief people officer.
Beyond the awards, the recognition is timely as Philippine companies face increasing pressure to attract, retain, and reskill talent amid rapid technological change. With artificial intelligence reshaping roles across industries, PLDT and Smart’s inclusion—particularly Smart’s distinction as the only telco company cited for AI learning—signals how large employers are responding to workforce transformation. It also highlights how employer branding, skills development, and technology readiness are becoming strategic priorities, not just human resources initiatives.
Together, PLDT and Smart continue to strengthen a people-led culture, one where purpose guides performance, learning supports sustained growth, and innovation delivers meaningful impact for customers and the nation.
