The Hero For All Campaign by Casino Plus and Alden Richards (AR) Foundation  reaches a landmark milestone on May 8, 2026 as it convenes a powerhouse multi-sector jury  for its final deliberation—-held at Bonifacio Global City—to select the everyday Filipino heroes  who will be honored under the program.

Moving beyond recognition alone, Hero for All was created to celebrate stories of compassion,  resilience, sacrifice, and service — stories that reflect the enduring spirit of the Filipino people  and inspire others to create meaningful change within their own communities.

Casino Plus, one of the country’s leading responsible entertainment and gaming platforms duly  licensed by PAGCOR, underscored the importance of finding hope even in difficult times:  “Heroism often exists quietly in communities across the country, where ordinary people choose  compassion and courage despite life’s challenges. Many never seek recognition for their actions.

Through this initiative, we hope to honor their stories and remind Filipinos that even small acts  of kindness can create meaningful impact when hope is needed most.”

“Initiatives like “Hero For All” are very important today because they remind people that heroism is not limited to fame, power, or big positions in society. In a world where a lot of  people are quietly struggling, stories of ordinary individuals doing extraordinary acts of kindness, sacrifice, and service give people hope again,” said Alden Richards, AR  Foundation founder and Casino Plus Lead Advocate.

To ensure fairness, integrity, and accountability throughout the Hero For All selection process,  the organization assembled respected and credible leaders from media, civil society, academe,  and government to serve as members of the jury panel.

● Joy Flavier-Alampay, Director of the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute of the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation

● Tina Arceo-Dumlao, Business Features Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer ● Ma. Teresa Habitan, Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Tax Academy

Ramon P. Tuazon, Secretary General of the Asian Institute of Journalism and  Communication, (participated in the first batch deliberations)

● Daniel Cecilio, Senior Vice President for Land-Based Operations of PAGCOR ● and Alden Richards, award-winning actor, AR Foundation founder and Casino Plus Lead  Advocate

Nearly a month after its official launch on April 9, 2026, hundreds of nominations were received  from April 10 to May 1, 2026 through multiple channels, including social media submissions, the  Casino Plus website, and endorsements from non-government organizations (NGOs) and local  government units (LGUs).

To qualify, nominees must be Filipino residents aged 21 years old and above with documented  acts of heroism or meaningful community contribution within the last five years. Supporting  evidence — including photos, videos, or published articles — also formed part of the validation  process.

“All those nominated have shown extraordinary goodness — not because they were asked to,  but because it came naturally from the goodness of their hearts. We all need heroes in our  lives. Being part of this jury has inspired all of us, and we leave this room carrying a piece of  every story we encountered.” said Joy Flavier-Alampay, Director of the Ramon  Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute.

Maria Teresa Habitan, Vice Chancellor of the Philippine Tax Academy added, “What really stands  out is how they went out of themselves to help others so it’s compassion that’s lived and acted  upon.”

From hundreds of entries received, shortlisted nominees advanced to the final jury deliberation  stage.

PAGCOR SVP for Land-based Operations Daniel Cecilio, meanwhile, shared his vision of  what it means to be a Hero for All: “A hero for all is someone who embodies selflessness — that’s number one. Courage, inclusivity, and long-lasting impact. And all of these things have to  be very consistent. Yun ang kailangan.”

Hero for All’s Commitment to Transparency and Integrity

Each juror independently evaluates nominees using a clearly defined scoring framework prior to  formal deliberations, with all records retained to ensure the integrity of the selection process.  Unlike popularity-driven awards, Hero for All is anchored on authenticity, impact and the ripple  effect of creating more community heroes.

One of the program’s defining principles is “story transferability” — assessing whether a  nominee’s actions can inspire similar acts of courage, compassion, or civic responsibility in other  communities.

Business Editor Tina Arceo-Dumlao reflected on the significance of the initiative, “These  stories give me hope that there is still so much good around us that deserves to be celebrated  and recognized. This initiative feels especially timely amid today’s negativity. Thank you for  allowing me to be part of it.”

The campaign will culminate in its grand awarding ceremony hosted by award winning  broadcast journalist Pinky Webb on August 31, 2026, in celebration of National Heroes Day,  where the selected honorees will be recognized for their exceptional contributions to society.

RESPONSIBLE GAMING ADVISORY

In accordance with PAGCOR’s Responsible Gaming Code of Practice, Casino Plus wishes to  remind all players of the following:

Gaming is for entertainment purposes only. It should not be considered a source of  income or a means of financial relief. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and within  their means.

Winning is never guaranteed. All gaming outcomes are determined by chance. Past  results,including jackpot wins, do not influence or predict future outcomes.