The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), led by Manuel V. Pangilinan, was recognized as the Philippine winner for "Best in Future of Work" at the International Data Corporation (IDC) Future Enterprise Awards for its Powertech Innovation and eXperience Lab (PIXL).

PIXL, a digital twin laboratory using real-world data for training and education, was praised for modernizing Meralco’s operations and advancing the country’s energy industry. The facility features state-of-the-art technologies, including high-definition projectors, 360-degree projection walls, LED lights, and extended reality devices such as Microsoft HoloLens and Oculus VR headsets.

IDC Asia/Pacific research director Melvie Espejo commended Meralco’s use of VR and digital twin technologies. "PIXL is ingenious in how it improves efficiency and accelerates innovation through talent enablement," Espejo said.

Meralco’s winning entry, “Future-proofing the Utility Operations with PIXL,” highlights the lab’s role in achieving the Philippines’ smart grid vision by 2040. PIXL supports key functions like technology scanning, prototype development, simulation of critical incidents, and extended reality previews of vital facilities. It also aids in distant learning, knowledge transfer, and remote support.

“Innovation is about solving complex challenges in ways no one else has imagined,” said Meralco’s first vice president and head of Information, Communication, Technology, and Transformation Rocky Bacani.

“PIXL embodies our vision of turning technological potential into practical, impactful solutions for our customers and the energy ecosystem in the Philippines.”

PIXL is also envisioned as a hub for collaboration with academic institutions, regulators, and other electric cooperatives in the Philippines and abroad.

Ronnie Aperocho, Meralco’s executive vice president and COO, emphasized PIXL’s role in fostering innovation. “By creating a space where extended reality and digital twin technologies converge, we’re not just imagining the future of energy — we’re actively constructing it,” he said.

The IDC Future Enterprise Awards, now in its eighth year, evaluates nominations from across the Asia Pacific region, with over 6,000 entries assessed since its inception. IDC is a global leader in market intelligence and advisory services for the IT and telecommunications sectors.