WINNING | Communications push turns advocacy into policy impact

Insider Spotlight

• A sustained public affairs campaign helped shape policy changes on socialized housing prices and development standards
• An autism advocacy campaign delivered 35.25 million in potential media reach with zero paid media
• Mylo Speech Buddy grew from 75,000 to more than 100,000 downloads across 100 countries
  
  
  
  

Strategic communications is increasingly becoming a tool for influencing policy and driving business outcomes, with two Philippine campaigns showing how advocacy can move from public conversations to measurable change.

Uniquecorn Strategies earned two Excellence Awards at the 22nd Philippine Quill Awards for its work on autism inclusion and housing policy reform. The recognition was presented Aug. 27, 2026, at Solaire Resort in Parañaque City.

Evidence-based policy messaging 

The agency’s “Building a Nation of Homes” program for the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) tackled the country’s housing backlog through evidence-based policy messaging, sustained media engagement, stakeholder relations and national policy convenings.

The campaign ran throughout 2025, generating 174 earned media placements with a potential reach of 76.2 million and PR value of P80.3 million. SHDA’s National Developers Convention also drew 400 attendees, bringing together government officials, legislators, developers and other stakeholders for industry dialogue. 

Results-oriented program 

The program contributed to Joint Memorandum Circular 2025-001, which raised the socialized housing price ceiling to P950,000 for subdivision units and P1.8 million for condominium units. It also increased floor area from 22 to 24 square meters and updated development standards. 

DHSUD communications acknowledged private developer organizations, including SHDA, in informing the policy update.

‘Ausome World’

Uniquecorn’s “Ausome World” campaign for Mylo Speech Buddy centered neurodivergent children and caregivers in conversations about autism inclusion. With a combined P230,000 budget and zero paid media, it generated 35.25 million in potential media reach and P26.32 million in PR value.

Mylo also grew from 75,000 downloads to more than 100,000 across 100 countries, alongside a 33 percent increase in app subscribers in April 2025.

A stronger voice 

“These two wins show what happens when communications are built around purpose, strategy, and measurable outcomes,”co-founder and managing director of Uniquecorn Strategies Irene Manansala said in a press statement.

 “Whether we are giving families raising children with autism a stronger voice in the conversation on inclusion or helping turn a private sector's data and advocacy into a national housing policy update, our role is to make communications matter,” Manansala added. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma