OUR CORE TEAM
VIDA ALARAS
Managing Partner
vida.alaras@aquila.com.ph
Vida D. Alaras is a market research professional with over 20 years of expertise. With an academic foundation in Sociology and early experience teaching at the Sociology Department of University of the Philippines, Diliman, for five years, she brings deep insight into human behavior. Her social research on deviance, women, and children laid a strong groundwork for her current focus.
Since 2007, she has specialized in Qualitative Market Research, expertly blending sociological insights with strategic business perspectives. She believes that consumers are not mere data repositories, but dynamic individuals with unique stories and multifaceted life contexts. Guided by this philosophy, she designs multi-method research frameworks to deeply understand consumers as people, translating these insights into actionable recommendations for regional and local clients across various industries and categories.
She embraces work-life harmony, integrating her professional passion with personal joys like dancing, playing the guitar, and reading books. An active volunteer in kids’ church ministry, she finds fulfillment in teaching and inspiring the next generation.
Member:
RHEA L. LASCANO
Managing Partner
rhea.lascano@aquila.com.ph
Rhea Lascano is a seasoned market research professional with 20+ years of experience spanning agency and client-side roles. Her industry expertise is diverse, ranging from food and retail to finance, pharmaceuticals, and telecommunications, giving her a broad understanding of market dynamics and consumer behavior. Adept at qualitative methodologies, Rhea consistently delivers impactful insights. As owner of RLS Therapeutic Learning Center, she also demonstrates an entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to supporting children with special needs.
Rhea’s unique blend of research expertise and entrepreneurial experience informs her client-focused approach. She creates tailored research solutions that foster growth and deliver positive impact. Her commitment to continuous learning, combined with her distinct perspective, enables her to deeply understand human behavior and provide strategic recommendations grounded in real-world understanding.
Beyond her professional life, Rhea cultivates a rich personal life grounded in family and her passions. She enjoys analogue hobbies, including journaling, collecting stationery and fountain pens. She also prioritizes quality time with her son, Rafael, often incorporating fitness into their routines by working out together. These pursuits provide balance and underscore Rhea’s dedication to both personal well-being and meaningful connections.
Member:
Nina Bendo
Research Executive
nina.bendo@aquila.com.ph
B.A. Psychology, Cum Laude
De La Salle University
Nina is a dedicated Research Executive at Aquila Market Research and Consulting Co., where she first joined the company as an intern in 2024. With a strong academic
foundation in Psychology and certifications in research and human resources, Nina brings a well-rounded perspective to market research.
Beyond her role at Aquila, Nina has over four years of diverse professional experience, cultivated while balancing her academic pursuits. This experience, spanning human
resources, education, and freelance content creation, has developed a versatile skill set in data analysis, consumer engagement, teaching, administrative support and qualitative research.
Her ability to manage multiple commitments has strengthened her time management, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, making her a resourceful and results-driven professional ideal for market research.
Outside of work, Nina finds joy in dance—both as a student and instructor—seeing it as a form of self-expression, enjoys reading thriller novels and neuropsychology research on memory and trauma, and appreciates period films.
Kristel Mangarin
Research Executive
kristel.mangarin@aquila.com.ph
Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering,
Ateneo de Manila University
Kristel Mangarin joined Aquila Market Research and Consulting Co. in 2025 as a Research Executive. Having trained in Management Engineering at Ateneo de Manila University, Kristel approaches market research with a data-driven yet people-centered perspective, combining rigor in analysis with genuine curiosity about human behavior.
Since 2017, Kristel has built a broad range of professional and volunteer experiences in facilitation, teaching, organizational development, and consumer insights. These opportunities allowed her to strengthen her skills in translating data into meaningful insights, approaching problems with structured creativity and engaging effectively with diverse stakeholders. The combination of academic training and practical exposure has shaped her into a detail-oriented, adaptable, and empathetic professional, qualities that position her well for uncovering the “why” behind consumer behavior and transforming insights into actionable strategies for brands and organizations.
Outside of work, Kristel enjoys reading, fangirling, and playing games which are pursuits that keep her curious, imaginative, and connected to the stories and communities that inspire her. Meanwhile, her commitment to community involvement continues to shape her empathy and curiosity about people’s everyday experiences.
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Our Corporate Memberships since 2022
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Philippines, is the premier professional organization of
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practitioners in the Philippines.