2026 Virtual Coaches
Jao Bautista
Executive Creative Director
Propel Manila
Manila
Jao Bautista
Executive Creative Director
Propel Manila
The Philippines
Executive Creative Director
Propel Manila
The Philippines
Jao built a creative department anchored on what he calls Creative Flourishing — an environment first approach to unlocking individual creative potential and shaping a creative team’s culture focused on both making the work better and making the work happen.
During his first year as Executive Creative Director in 2024, Propel Manila earned major honors: Campaign Global Philippine Independent Agency of the Year, Campaign Southeast Asia Philippine Independent Agency of the Year, and 4As Philippine Independent Agency of the Year. By 2025, the agency went back-to-back Best in Creative at the 4As AOY and secured the country’s official slots for both Adfest Young Lotus (for 2026) and Cannes Young Lions—with the Cannes team landing a Global Top 10 Digital shortlist.
Creative Flourishing also influenced the agency’s high-impact, digital-first work for brands like Move It, GCash, Philippine Airlines, Datu Puti, Avida, and Chowking—helping Propel Manila champion ideas that honored these well-loved Filipino brands and earned them recognition in creative shows.
Over his 20-year career, Jao’s work has been recognized by Cannes Lions, The One Show, LIA, New York Festivals, WARC, Spikes Asia, ADFEST, Mad Stars, and more, along with the local creative shows Kidlat and Boomerangs.
Outside advertising, Jao is a volleyball coach and athlete, a graduate school instructor, and a book reviewer with a #1bookamonth series.