KOTA KINABALU: The recent Hyperlive Impact Influencer Festival’s Awards 2025 was an eye-opening event that left attendees astounded by the diverse talents and influencers from around the globe. This event, the first of its kind in Sabah, began with a press conference attended by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Jeffery Kitingan.
Dr. Sean Wong, founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of HyperLive Entertainment, opened the event by sharing his vision of harnessing digital influence as a force for good. He stated, “At HyperLive Entertainment, we believe in harnessing the power of digital influence to drive social change, support humanitarian causes, and make a meaningful contribution to the global community. Our vision is to empower individuals to use their platforms to create a positive impact and shape a better world.”
The renowned panel featured esteemed figures such as Adelyne Velvet, a TikTok live host from Singapore; Nadia Shakira, General Manager of HyperLive Entertainment; Arnold Vegafria, founder of the ALV Group of Companies from the Philippines; and Pham Kim Dung, founder and CEO of Sen Vang Entertainment from Vietnam. Their discussion provided valuable insights into how digital platforms can be leveraged for community impact, setting an inspiring tone for the Digital Success Forum.
The Digital Success Forum itself was a key highlight of the event, showcasing top influencers from across Asia who shared their personal journeys and strategies for building digital brands, monetising content, growing online businesses, and collaborating with global companies.
Notable speakers included Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy, Miss International 2024 from Vietnam; Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, Miss Intercontinental 2022 from Vietnam; Adi Syahreza, an award-winning content creator from Indonesia; Nick Shen, an award-winning actor and performer from Singapore; and esports influencer Noel from Malaysia. Throughout the forum, attendees were empowered with valuable digital strategies, learning how to effectively utilise platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for business growth, personal branding, and impactful storytelling.
In addition to the forum, the festival offered significant support for business owners by providing booth spaces outside the event hall, allowing them to showcase their products and services. This initiative created unique opportunities for entrepreneurs to engage with influencers, generate digital content, and increase their brand visibility.
As influencers from across Asia visited these booths, local businesses experienced a notable boost in exposure, fostering meaningful collaborations and marketing opportunities in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
The evening culminated in an Awards Gala, a spectacular showcase of talent and a profound celebration of resilience, empowerment, and inspiration. Audiences were mesmerised by world-class performances from four extraordinary autistic savant pianists: Clarence Kang from Malaysia, Zhou Bohan from China, Chen Kuan-Wen from Taiwan, and Takuto Koyanagi from Japan.
Each performance highlighted the exceptional abilities and potential of autistic savant individuals and underscored the mission to promote autism awareness while providing a powerful platform for autistic talents and life champions. The gala offered invaluable lessons about resilience and featured inspirational stories from their caregivers, emphasising the strength and determination that defines the autistic community.
The evening’s Guest of Honour, Datuk Tan Lee Fatt, Assistant Minister of Finance of Sabah, officiated the prestigious awards ceremony. He recognised outstanding individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to humanitarian causes, social impact, and community development. These influencers are not merely voices in the digital space; they are changemakers committed to uplifting those in need and creating a lasting positive impact. Celebrated for their selflessness, compassion, and tireless efforts, the award recipients exemplified the power of using influence for good, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps and foster kindness, empathy, and social responsibility.
The Asia Humanitarian Influencer of the Year Awards were presented to Pham Kim Dung from Vietnam and Arnold Vegafria from the Philippines. The Asia Humanitarian Influencer Awards were bestowed upon Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy and Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc, both from Vietnam; Adi Syahreza from Indonesia; and Angelica Paujin from Malaysia.
The Asia Social Impact Influencer Awards acknowledged Leo Liew, Miao In Sabah, Jason Jonathan Omar, Hosiani James Jaimis, Melisha Lin, Noel, and Nick Shen, as well as Nick Shen from Singapore along with Adelyne Velvet from Malaysia. Zara Goh Flintoft, also from Malaysia played the saxophone that wowed the audience. The Asia’s Icon of Inspiration Awards recognised the remarkable performances of Clarence Kang, Zhou Bohan, Takuto Koyanagi, and Chen Kuan-Wen.
The HyperLive Impact Influencer Festival and Awards 2025 is more than just an awards ceremony; it aims to promote Sabah as a leading tourism and cultural destination. Influencers from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia explored Sabah’s stunning landscapes, cultural heritage, and vibrant hospitality, sharing their experiences with millions of followers worldwide. This initiative helps to position Sabah as a global tourism hotspot.
The event concluded with a powerful message: true influence is not about numbers but about creating meaningful change and demonstrating resilience. The celebration captured the essence of excellence, compassion, and digital success, firmly establishing the HyperLive Impact Influencer Festival and Awards 2025 as a benchmark for how influence, talent, and humanitarian efforts can unite to create a lasting global impact.
Deasoka
