Glenda Dela Cruz, founder and chief executive of Brilliant Skin Essentials, Inc., received recognition as the leading employer in Morong, Rizal — the municipality where she was raised and where she credits much of her early drive.
The acknowledgment carried personal weight for Dela Cruz, who noted that the distinction stood apart from other awards she had previously received locally and abroad.
“Hindi po ito basta-bastang parangal para sa akin, dahil ito po ay galing sa Morong, ang bayan na pinagmulan ko. Ang lugar na kinalakihan ko. Ang lugar na nagbigay sa akin ng lakas ng loob, kahit noong mga panahong hindi pa ako ganoong kakilala,” she said.
Brilliant Skin Essentials also earned two additional citations during the same recognition: Top 3 Outstanding Business Taxpayer of the Year 2025 and Top 4 Highest Real Property Taxpayer — reflecting the company’s growing economic footprint in the municipality.
Dela Cruz described the skincare company’s expansion as something directly tied to the community that shaped her, with the business now providing employment and opportunities to thousands of people.
“Kaya para sa amin, ang pagiging Top 1 Employer ng Morong ay hindi lang numero o titulo. Ito ang bunga ng pangangarap, pagsusumikap at aking pagsasakripisyo,” she said.
She also extended a public commitment to the town: “At sa ating bayan, may isa po kaming pangako: Na ang tagumpay ng Brilliant Skin ay tagumpay din ng Morong. At habang patuloy kaming lumalago, hindi namin kailanman makakalimutan kung saan kami nagsimula. Dahil ang Morong ang aming ugat, at ang Morong ang palagi naming babalikan.”
Dela Cruz is among the recognized younger Filipino chief executives in the cosmetics sector. Her previous honors include the Gawad Amerika Award, the ASEAN Inspiring Award, and the Asia Leaders Award for CEO of the Year in the Health and Beauty category.
