AHA Behavioral Design

25/05/2026

We’re looking for interns to join our team! 📷📝✨

AHA! Behavioral Design is opening internship opportunities for a Video Editor Intern and Copywriter Intern to support our social impact projects through creative, clear, and human-centered content.

Interested applicants may send their CV and sample work to [email protected].

20/05/2026

🏆 A momentous turnover for the Bangsamoro!

Last May 13, AHA! Behavioral Design officially turned over the prestigious Silver Anvil trophy to our partners at the Ministry of Health - BARMM. Recognizing our joint initiative, "SBC 101: Transforming Public Communication in BARMM through Science, Trust, and Behavior Change," this award honors our shared commitment to helping public servants translate health plans into behavior-focused strategies that address real, on-the-ground barriers.

It is incredibly significant to see a public sector program from the BARMM region receive one of the country’s most recognized honors for impactful communication. We are excited to keep integrating behavioral science to build lasting trust and sustainable change together!

Read more about the turnover ceremony below 👇

18/05/2026

Great policies and available services only create real impact when they are actually used by the people who need them most. 💡And even the best social protection and development policies fall short if hidden behavioral barriers prevent people from using them.👍🏽

At the 1st Regular Meeting for CY 2026 of the Social Development Sectoral Working Group of the Bangsamoro International Development Assistance Committee (BIDAC), AHA! Behavioral Design demonstrated how Applied Behavioral Science bridges the gap between public supply and real community impact. By reducing cognitive friction, activating local trust, and empowering frontline workers, we can turn available services into used services, ensuring government investments lead to sustained development for the Bangsamoro people.

AHA! BD was represented by Mr. John Dominic Rodriguez, Key Project Coordination Manager for BARMM & Public Health Program Manager, and Ms. Angela Marie Garcia, Director for Innovations and Technical Focal for BARMM last May 7, 2026 in Cotabato City, convened by the Bangsamoro Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) acting as technical secretariat and presided by Atty. Anna Liza Mones on behalf of Minister Atty. Raissa Jajurie of Ministry of Social Services and Development as Chair, with UNFPA Philippines Assistant Country Representative Roi Avena serving as co-chair. The SDSWG of the BIDAC is composed of BMOAs and Development Partners including Ministry of Health - BARMM, UNICEF Philippines, World Health Organization Philippines, among others.

14/05/2026

What does it take to design recovery systems that people can actually stay engaged in?

On a Wellness Wednesday episode on Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM, hosts Dr. Gina Hechanova and Trixia Co of RenewHealth were joined by guests Shairra Bello and Kat Belen of AHA! Behavioral Design®, alongside Lara Florencio of Ateneo Bulatao Center’s Katatagan Plus.

The conversation examined how recovery extends beyond awareness into the environments and relationships that enable follow-through, grounded in both behavioral science and field experience.

Drawing from AHA! BD’s practice, Shairra underscored the role of peer environments, social reinforcement, and structured support in sustaining recovery.

The episode also explored applied work such as Ka’Damayan, a co-developed initiative with RenewHealth Philippines, designed to strengthen connection and reduce isolation in recovery settings.

Recovery is not just an individual journey; it’s something we design together.

🎧 Hear more of the discussion:
YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T81Uck_Tk0A
FB: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CS4z7EhK4/

05/05/2026

Procrastination isn’t laziness. It’s a predictable pattern your brain follows, something behavioral science has studied for years. 🧠

When tasks feel overwhelming, we default to what’s easy now over what matters later because of how we process effort, stress, and reward.

The fix isn’t more motivation. It’s better design: make actions easy, timely, and social.

What’s one task you’ve been putting off lately?

Drop your questions in the comments. We might feature some in the next episode, and one random commenter will receive a copy of "Tiny Habits" by BJ Fogg! 🤩📚

05/05/2026

In her recent feature on DZXL News’ Kwentong Bayani, Shairra Bello, our Chief Science Officer, highlights a simple but powerful truth: behavior doesn’t change through information alone. It follows what is easiest, most intuitive, and most aligned with how people actually decide in real life.

But the challenge is not just understanding behavior. It is scaling what works for millions of Filipinos.

This is where Behavioral Science meets agentic AI.

At AHA! Behavioral Design®, we’ve translated our methodology into an agentic AI system that goes beyond static insights or demographics. It continuously learns how people decide, recommends context-specific actions, and adapts over time. In doing so, it helps ensure that the right behaviors are not only understood, but consistently followed through.

Because real impact happens when systems do not just inform people what is right, but actively make it easier to act on it.

🎧 Watch the full interview
FB: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1645531683465087
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oMjUfxzY2k

29/04/2026

A meaningful recognition on a global stage. 🌏

The Stevie Awards are among the world’s most established business awards, recognizing organizations that drive innovation and impact across sectors.

We’re glad to see Sun Life Foundation (SLF) recognized for Sun Pera-Aralan, awarded Gold for Innovative Achievement in CSR — a program that supports Filipino teachers in building sustainable financial habits through behaviorally designed tools and community support.

Grateful to have worked alongside SLF on this initiative as a behavioral design partner, supporting how financial wellness translates into everyday practice.

Sun Life is proud to receive four awards this year, two Golds and two Silvers, recognizing its innovations in hybrid work, financial education, CSR, cross-media marketing, and talent development. 🌟

🏅 Gold Awards
• Sparking Connection and Thriving Together in Hybrid Work – Innovation in Remote or Hybrid Work Practices
• Sun Pera Aralan – Innovative Achievement in CSR
🥈 Silver Awards
• Play for Life – Innovation in Cross Media Marketing
• Future Proofing Operations through Capability Development – Innovation in Talent Development & Upskilling

Thank you to our Clients, partners, and stakeholders for the trust and collaboration that made these wins possible. 💛

21/04/2026

Behavior doesn’t happen in isolation.

It’s shaped by systems, social norms, access, and policy — not just what people know. That’s why campaigns built on awareness alone often fall short.

Using the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM), we developed a practical diagnostic tool to help you assess your behavior-change campaign across all levels of influence: from individual to policy.

Better outcomes don’t come from more information; they come from better design.

👉 Sign up to access the full SEM checklist here: bit.ly/AHABDToolbox

20/04/2026

With what’s happening around the world, driving up the costs of fuel, food, and other daily expenses, many Filipino families feel the strain.

So how does scarcity shape behavior and what can systems do about it?

In this episode of Ask a Behavioral Scientist, we unpack how people adapt under pressure — and why it’s not just about resilience, but about making it easier for people to adjust.

Across countries, effective responses often combine:
✅ Clear, timely guidance
✅ Targeted protection for vulnerable households
✅ Practical ways to reduce everyday costs

And importantly, both matter:
👉 Short-term support to ease immediate pressure
👉 Long-term reforms to reduce future shocks

Because coping shouldn’t fall on families alone. Systems should help make it possible.

15/04/2026

Healing begins where we feel safe.

This Wednesday on Wellness Wednesdays, we talk about “Creating Safe Spaces for Recovery”—a meaningful conversation on how support, understanding, and intentional spaces can help individuals heal and grow.

Join our guest experts Shaira Bello and Kat Belen of AHA! Behavioral Design® and Lara Florencio of the Ateneo Bulatao Center for Psychological Services as they share insights on building environments that nurture recovery and well-being.

📅 April 15, 2026, Wednesday | ⏰ 5:00 PM
LISTEN: 📻 87.9 FM within Ateneo | 🎧 zeno.fm/radio/k879fm
WATCH: ▶️ Facebook & YouTube Live: Radyo Katipunan 87.9 FM