Smile, and you can win P1M

Screengrab from https://www.happiest-pinoy.com/

MANILA, Philippines—Smile and be P1 million richer.

The “Happiest Pinoy,” to be chosen by the country’s largest pawnshop chain, Cebuana Lhuillier, will receive P1 million while the person who nominated him or her will get P50,000.

The search is open to all Filipinos 18 years and older and of good moral character. To be the happiest Pinoy, one must have a positive outlook in life, a proven ability to rise above challenges, and a positive impact on the lives of others.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro has enjoined teachers and other school personnel to greet their students in the New Year with a smile and a positive attitude, as he urged everyone to take part in the nationwide search for the happiest Pinoy.

For 2015, a special award of P25,000 will be given to the happiest student, who may still vie for the Happiest Pinoy award.

In a memorandum, Luistro said: “To start the New Year with optimism and a renewed sense of fulfillment in teaching, all school personnel are encouraged to be in a positive disposition and to wear a smile when they report to their respective classes.”

Luistro tapped all school heads to ensure the campaign succeeded. He also instructed regional directors, school division superintendents and supervisors to implement and monitor the campaign.

The search for the happiest Pinoy was started by Cebuana Lhuillier in 2009 to “rekindle the values of optimism, resilience and hope in Filipinos” faced with various crises.

Under the search guidelines, nominators must be Filipinos 18 years and older. All supporting documents and nomination forms—which may be downloaded from the www.happiest-pinoy.com website or obtained from any of the 1,700 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide—must be submitted by March 31, 2015.

Nominations may be e-mailed to [email protected] or snail-mailed to PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, 2nd floor Annex 2, PJL Corporate Center, 1782 N. Garcia cor. Candelaria Streets, Makati City.

A screening committee composed of Lhuillier officials will pick the 20 semifinalists from whom the judges will select 10 finalists who will undergo a panel interview that will determine the happiest Pinoy.

Runners-up will receive P50,000 each while their nominators will get P10,000.

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