Watsons Philippines gathered the country’s leading health, wellness and beauty companies for the Watsons HWB Awards 2026 at Shangri-La The Fort on May 15, celebrating industry excellence, innovation and long-standing partnerships that continue to shape the retail landscape.
Carrying the theme “Excellence in Full Bloom,” the annual awards night also marked the 185th anniversary of A.S. Watson Group, the world’s largest international health and beauty retailer.
Watsons Philippines Chief Operating Officer Jefferson Go opened the event by recognizing the role of brand partners and suppliers in the company’s continued growth. Go also emphasized the importance of collaboration and customer-centered growth.
“One hundred eight five years of trust, partnership, and growth and we did not achieve this alone. We reached this milestone together with you. That’s why our theme, Excellence in Full Bloom, rings true. Because excellence takes time, proper and continuous care, and the right partnerships. When all of these come together, excellence truly blooms,” he said.
Go highlighted Watsons’ commitment to innovation and customer engagement through what he called the company’s “ABC of Love” strategy — agility, bonding and customer community.
“Our customers continue to evolve, and so do we. Together, we move quickly to bring the newest products to market, create meaningful promotions, and make Health and Beauty more accessible through our growing stores and O+O ecosystem,” he said.
“Agility is not just about speed. It is about staying connected to what our customers truly need,” he continued.
The evening featured performances by Jayda Avanzado, Arabelle dela Cruz and Gary Valenciano as part of a commemorative segment tracing Watsons’ growth from its founding in 1841 to its expansion across Asia and Europe.
Watsons executives also presented growth strategies and retail insights focused on innovation, seamless online-to-offline integration and customer engagement.
“The future of beauty is no longer just about products. It is about inspiration, discovery, and experiences that customers choose to come back to. And together with you, we will continue pushing boundaries, driving innovation, and shaping what beauty looks like for the next generation of customers,” said Kim Reyes, Watsons beauty business unit director.
Cecille Uy, Watsons health business director, said consumers are increasingly seeking preventive and wellness-focused healthcare solutions.
“Health today is no longer just about curing illness. It is about empowering people to live better every day through prevention, wellness, and trusted support they can count on. That is why Watsons continues to make healthcare more accessible, more connected, and closer to the communities we serve through expert care, meaningful wellness solutions, and stronger customer engagement,” Uy said.
Lovenna Cadano, online business and CRM director, highlighted the importance of a unified customer experience.
“For O+O and CRM, our commitment is simple: to create one connected experience for every customer, a seamless, personal, and meaningful one wherever they choose to engage with us. The future of retail is no longer online or offline. It is about how we grow together around the customer,” Cadano said.
Among the evening’s top honors, Unilever Philippines Inc. received the International Partner of the Year award for Beauty, while Boehringer Ingelheim Inc. won International Partner of the Year for Health.
Genson Distribution Inc. was named Local Partner of the Year for Beauty, while Unilab Inc. received the Local Partner of the Year award for Health. IFace Inc. won Consignor of the Year for Beauty.
Major Awards for Beauty were presented to Unilever Philippines Inc., L’Oréal Philippines Inc., Beiersdorf Philippines Inc., Haleon Philippines Inc., PH FIMEDIA Network Trade Corporation, Lifestrong Marketing Inc., Galderma Philippines Inc., Beauty Refinery Inc. and MCKENZIE Distribution Co. Inc.
Major Awards for Health went to Haleon Philippines Inc., Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Philippines Inc., Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (Philippines) Inc., Vida Nutriscience Inc., Pure Form Ventures Inc., Glaxosmithkline Philippines Inc., Abbott EPD, Reckitt Benckiser (Philippines) Inc., Mosbeau Philippines Inc., Roche Philippines Inc. and Abbott Nutrition International.
Special Awards for Beauty in the fragrances category were awarded to Rustan Marketing Corporation and Genson Distribution Inc., while UL Skin Sciences Inc. and Kimberly-Clark Philippines Inc. were recognized in sanitary protection.
Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc. received the Special Award for Beauty in men’s grooming, while Unilever Philippines Inc. and Galderma Philippines Inc. were honored in the bath, deodorant and talc category.
In oral care, awards were presented to Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc. and Kenvue Philippines Inc.
Galderma Philippines Inc., Healthy Innovation Distribution Inc., Genson Distribution Inc., Intelligent Skin Care Inc., Unilever Philippines Inc. and Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc. were recognized in skin care.
Cambert (Pilipinas) Inc., Unilever Philippines Inc., Splash Corporation and L’Oréal Philippines Inc. won awards in hair care.
Asia Pacific Cosmetics Philippines Corporation received the Special Award for Electricals.
Special Awards for Cosmetics were given to Chic Centre Corporation, Allure Asia Inc., L’Oréal Philippines Inc., IFace Inc. and PH FIMEDIA Network Trade Corporation.
Additional special awards were presented to Fine Today Philippine Corporation, Face Party Inc., Descorp Inc., Unilever Philippines Inc., Genson Distribution Inc., Future Glow Philippines Corporation and Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc.
Special Awards for Health were awarded to Bayer Philippines Inc., Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines Inc., Unilab Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Cathay Drug Inc., Collins International Trading Corporation, Procter & Gamble Health, Opella Healthcare Philippines Inc., Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare (Philippines) Inc., Healthy Innovation Distribution, Wyeth Philippines Inc., Galderma Philippines Inc., Haleon Philippines Inc., UL Skin Sciences, Coca-Cola Europacific Aboitiz Philippines Inc., Torrent Philippines Inc., Mosbeau Philippines Inc., Pascual Consumer Healthcare Corp. and IMDS-DKT Health Inc.
In the Member’s Choice Awards for Beauty, L’Oréal Philippines Inc. won in cosmetics, Genson Distribution Inc. in skin care and fragrance, Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc. in body care, Unilever Philippines Inc. in hair care, Beiersdorf Philippines Inc. in men’s care, Colgate-Palmolive Philippines Inc. in oral care and Galderma Philippines Inc. in baby care.
For the Member’s Choice Awards for Health, North Summit Trading Inc. won in immune health, IVI RYO Corporation in skin health and Unilab Inc. in cough and colds.
Key Accounts Manager Awards for Beauty went to Rustan Marketing Corporation for fragrances, L’Oréal Philippines Inc. for cosmetics and prestige brands, Kenvue Inc. for oral and baby care, Procter & Gamble Philippines Inc. for men’s grooming, Bevi Beauty Elements Ventures Inc. for bath, deodorant and talc, and Unilever Philippines Inc. for skin and hair care.
Key Accounts Manager Awards for Health were presented to Viatris Inc. for ethical category, Unilab Inc. for OTC and Betabrands Corp. for VDS.
Watsons Philippines Managing Director Danilo Chiong closed the event by emphasizing the company’s long-term partnerships with industry players.
“Tonight, we don’t just close the HWB Awards 2026; we mark a moment of shared progress. Because what we celebrated this evening is bigger than awards. It’s a reflection of what we have built together and what we continue to nurture,” Chiong said.
Watsons currently operates more than 1,200 stores in the Philippines and is part of the A.S. Watson Group, which has over 16,900 stores across 30 markets worldwide.
