2026 Virtual Coaches
Badong Abesamis
Founding Partner
GIGIL
Manila
Badong is a Founding Partner of GIGIL, winner for marketing effectiveness at the APAC Effies 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and for creativity at the Cannes Lions Festival 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.
Under his co-stewardship, GIGIL was declared 'Asia-Pacific Agency of the Year' of Campaign Brief's The Work 2025; 'Independent Agency of the Year' of ADFEST 2025; the No. 1 independent agency in Asia in Campaign Brief Asia’s 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Creative Rankings; The Drum’s 'Top Ranked APAC Agency' in its 2023 World Creative Rankings; Ad Age’s ‘International Small Agency of the Year' in 2021; the fastest-growing ad agency in the Asia-Pacific, according to the Financial Times in 2023; and not just Campaign's Philippines Independent Agency of the Year, but also Creative Agency of the Year in 2020 and 2025.
He was named by Campaign Brief Asia as one of the ’Top 10 Most Awarded Creative Leaders in Asia’ in 2021, and the 'Philippines' Most Awarded Creative Director' in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In 2021, Badong was included by Adweek in its ‘Creative 100' list—an annual celebration of the world’s top creative professionals, icons, and game changers.
Under his co-stewardship, GIGIL was declared 'Asia-Pacific Agency of the Year' of Campaign Brief's The Work 2025; 'Independent Agency of the Year' of ADFEST 2025; the No. 1 independent agency in Asia in Campaign Brief Asia’s 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025 Creative Rankings; The Drum’s 'Top Ranked APAC Agency' in its 2023 World Creative Rankings; Ad Age’s ‘International Small Agency of the Year' in 2021; the fastest-growing ad agency in the Asia-Pacific, according to the Financial Times in 2023; and not just Campaign's Philippines Independent Agency of the Year, but also Creative Agency of the Year in 2020 and 2025.
He was named by Campaign Brief Asia as one of the ’Top 10 Most Awarded Creative Leaders in Asia’ in 2021, and the 'Philippines' Most Awarded Creative Director' in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In 2021, Badong was included by Adweek in its ‘Creative 100' list—an annual celebration of the world’s top creative professionals, icons, and game changers.