In a culture that constantly reinvents, influence has never been about the reach, but about resonance. The inaugural ZEENfluential Awards 2025 celebrates exactly that: the figures who move culture, shift narratives, and spark conversations that go beyond the algorithm.

Presented by Zeen, the awards honor the most influential names across music, film, fashion, digital content, and the arts whose creativity, authenticity, and impact define this generation’s spirit. This year’s theme, Culture × Influence, captures that sweet spot where creativity meets impact—where stories, style, and self-expression push culture forward. It’s a tribute to those who don’t just mirror the times and yield to the norm, but carve groundbreaking paths.

“ZEEN is a place where real stories, real people, and real influence matter. That’s what the ZEENfluential Awards are all about. It’s not just about who’s trending. It’s about who’s making an impact,” shared Direk Real S. Florido, Creative Chief Officer and Executive Vice President of CreaZion Studios, and Business Head of Zeen Media.

With this, the ZEENfluential Voices category, an editorially selected distinction, recognizes individuals whose influence is felt not only in their craft but in the way they communicate their work, inspire belief, and reflect the soul of a generation. These are storytellers, leaders, and visionaries who remind us that voice is power and that it is best used to move others forward.

Dolly de Leon stands as a global testament to Filipino artistry. Her works and persona clicks with Gen Z due to her authentic exploration of social inequality, power dynamics, and women’s empowerment, as well as her emphasis on authenticity, hard work, and social change.  Her breakthrough role in Triangle of Sadness directly addresses themes of class dynamics and wealth disparity in a satirical way, which are highly relevant to a generation concerned with social justice issues. As Gen Z values authenticity, and De Leon’s raw, honest performances and down-to-earth personality resonate strongly. She often speaks about her struggles, rejections, and the importance of focusing on one’s craft rather than fame, offering a realistic and inspiring perspective on success.

Alex Eala, the tennis phenom, shows that influence can live in motion. Through discipline and courage, she’s rewritten what’s possible for Filipino athletes—turning every victory into a new vocabulary of hope for young dreamers. Alex is the epitome of graciousness, professionalism, and perseverance.

From her punchy and superb films That Thing Called Tadhana, Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay, and her most recent Sunshine, Antoinette Jadaone continues to hold a mirror to various Filipino realities – the language of love, loss, and womanhood on screen. Through her films and digital storytelling, she reflects the deepest truths that evokes the next generation of creatives to pry more thorough stories to prove that the personal can always be political while still being profoundly human.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, redefining governance with transparency and integrity, reminds us that leadership is also a kind of voice: one that listens, uplifts, and offers development that is genuinely for the people. Gen Z deeply values principled and transparent governance, which offers a stark contrast to traditional Philippine politics that has been often associated with corruption and political dynasties.

Jessica Soho, a titan of broadcast media, has long proven that storytelling can be both service and soul. Her decades of work on journalism turned reportage into connection, bridging generations and reminding Gen Z that truth remains the most radical act of all. Jessica Soho’s work transcends with the current generations through her continued relevance in modern media, where her news magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho actively incorporates viral and trending online content, and through her recent initiatives to mentor and inspire young, aspiring journalists.

Together, these ZEENfluential Voices remind us that influence goes beyond visibility and virality. They stand as proof that when creativity, courage, and conviction collide, culture shifts. Each of them represents a new kind of Filipino influence—purposeful, progressive, and unapologetically real. They are the voices shaping how we dream, act, and believe—because when they speak, the culture listens.

At the ZEENfluential Awards, winners are chosen through a combination of 50% public voting and 50% editorial voting, reflecting that true influence is both earned and recognized by Gen Z. On November 20, 2025, the awards will take place at Okada Manila’s Cove Night Club, the ultimate party of influence, where today’s hottest personalities, celebrities, influencers, and digital icons will gather to celebrate the nominees, awardees, and the power of Filipino creativity.