OUR CORE TEAM
VIDA ALARAS
Managing Partner | Units in Master of Arts in Sociology (thesis stage)
Vida D. Alaras has been a research professional for more than twenty (20) years. She started her career in Sociology in the academe: as an Instructor in the BA Sociology department of the University of the Philippines, Diliman Quezon City for five (5) years and as a social researcher on deviance, women and children.
Since 2007 she has been specializing in Qualitative Market Research as she found friendship between Sociology and market research. She has been actively designing methodological and analytical frameworks for multi-method research to deeply understand consumers as people having their multiple life worlds and contexts. Her consultancy work with various regional and local clients across different industries has honed her perspectives for more strategic research designs and business recommendations.
Prior to setting up her own research agency, Aquila Market Research and Consulting Co., she was a full time Research Director in a boutique market research agency and then became an Independent Senior Qualitative Research Consultant.
RHEA L. LASCANO
Managing Partner
M.A. Applied Business Economics, Ph. D. Units in Special Education
Rhea L. Lascano is market research professional and strategist with more than twenty (20) years experience. Her experience in market research spans varied areas – Retail Audit, Customized / Quantitative and Qualitative. She had been both a provider of research results and as a user of consumer insights, having had relevant work exposure in both research agencies and client side.
Before being involved in Aquila, she did freelance consulting work as a Senior Qualitative Research Consultant. Her clients included research agencies and companies. Her earlier career had been for the majority, in marketing and product management in the construction industry. She also had experience in the financial sector as an analyst for a stock market firm and bank. Her entrepreneurial outlook coupled with her strong research background has developed her skills in providing sharper yet grounded business recommendations.
She also owns and operates RLS Therapeutic Learning Center, a therapy center for special kids – an advocacy as a support to parents who have special child/ren like herself.
HOW WE WORK
TESTIMONIALS FROM CLIENTS AND PARTNERS
“Aquila has been our strategic qualitative partner in the last 4 years.They have delivered valuable insights to the Dole business which resulted in long term business gains. The agency has superb insighting capability and is highly collaborative on their interface with Dole as a client. The team values the service Aquila provides the brand and sees a long term servicing relationship with Dole.”
Efigenio De Castro II Head of Marketing Dole Philippines, Inc.“SEESAW has worked with Aquila for a number of qualitative projects since 2019. Aquila can be trusted to provide sound advice based on their experience and expertise, ensuring that each and every project they undertake is conducted to the highest standard, meeting the research objectives. We have come to trust Aquila as our research partner in the Philippines, knowing that our projects are in safe hands, with Vida and Rhea’s commitment and professionalism. We look forward to many more collaborations with Aquila in the future.”
Rachael Tan Director SEESAW MARKET + CONSUMER INSIGHTS PTE LTD (Singapore)“It is a pleasure working with the Aquila Market Research team. They are very responsive to client needs and make an effort to understand the broader objectives so they're better able to deliver high quality results. Over the years they've been consistent in their attention to detail and rigour irrespective of project value.”
Neena Khattar Cultural Storyteller, Innovation Catalyt, Brand Strategist,Positive Psychology Practioner, In2It Consulting (Singapore)