VINZ Villeguez, an IT staff for USbased business process outsourcing (BPO) company Afni, was one of those who had to work on the frontlines when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020.

“Since the pandemic, our team couldn’t work from home. We had to ensure work from home (WFH) kits were safely distributed and set up so everyone in the company could continue to work and keep their jobs,” he said.

Despite the challenging responsibilities that came with longer work hours and, sometimes, anxiety about Covid-19 by physically reporting to work, Vinz gave a stellar performance that resulted in successful WFH transitions of more than 70 percent of Afni’s workforce in the Philippines.

The BPO company’s signature Philippine recognition program is the Afni Champion Employee (ACE). Every month, it identifies top performers and then holds an annual recognition night to award the best of the best. The ongoing community quarantine kept the company from holding it at a physical location so, for the first time, the ACE recognition night was held online on April 24.

Speaking to attendees, Senior Director for Philippine Operations Alain Katigbac congratulated not just the awardees but all Afni employees.

Afni’s success story even during the pandemic transpires in its foothold in Metro Manila, which continues to grow.

Afni’s also expanding to more locations, the latest is the opening of its newest site at SM City Fairview.

“There’s a lot of growth for

Afni lined up for this year and the coming years,” said Vice President for Philippine Operations Khalid Khursheed.

“Continue supporting one another. Do the right thing. Be honest and passionate in what you do, and success will come after,” he advised ACE nominees and winners.