Esteemed & elegant

PeopleAsia magazine’s esteemed “People of the Year” awards, now on its 14th year, once again trained the spotlight on outstanding individuals whose extraordinary achievements positively influence and encourage others.

The People of the Year awards held last Monday at the Grand Plaza Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, which also marked PeopleAsia’s 18th anniversary, was graced by well-heeled guests, dapper gentlemen and elegant ladies, from the diplomatic corps, business, entertainment and social circles.

Welcoming guests were Philippine Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez, who is on leave as publisher of PeopleAsia, associate publishers Kevin Belmonte and Pepe Rodriguez and editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, who was stunning in an Ito Curata creation.

“It is incredible to realize that we have been around for more than 18 years when we put up this fantastic glossy magazine with our late founding publisher Max Soliven along with our partner, The Philippine STAR. Max was the guiding light of this publication and he envisioned a magazine that would highlight individuals, the movers and shakers, heroes and newsmakers from all walks of life. We wanted to celebrate the accomplishments of men and women, regardless of age or stature, whose lives were made extraordinary by their passion, dedication, selflessness, courage, grit, determination and other admirable traits that could serve as example and inspiration to others,” said Romualdez.

For his part, Sofitel Philippine Plaza area general manager Adam Laker noted, “The Sofitel Philippine Plaza is very, very proud that it has such a long history with People of the Year awards and also with the PeopleAsia magazine. The magazine was launched here back in 1999. That’s a very, very long history. Tonight, we get to celebrate some inspiring people, some people who have led us, some who have motivated us and inspired us through the works of life.”

The awards night’s ambience was set by the Marcy David band, which accompanied world-class singer Cocoy Laurel with his captivating performance of the night’s theme, People. People of the Year awardee Basil Valdez also performed his greatest hits and crowd favorites Ngayon at Kailanman and You. The program was ably emceed by award-winning host Issa Litton.

Romualdez, together with Ambassador Preciosa Soliven and PeopleAsia director Sara Soliven de Guzman, presented this year’s Max V. Soliven Lifetime Achievement Award to former President Fidel V. Ramos, who is best remembered for his roles in the 1986 EDSA Revolution, and for paving the way for the Philippines to be called “Asia’s New Tiger” during his presidency.

This year’s esteemed People of the Year awardees include “Queen of All Media” Kris Aquino, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls SVP and Alliance Global executive director Kevin Tan, Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ, fashion designer Lulu Tan-Gan, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, W Group vice chairman Rosalind Wee, who was celebrating her birthday that night; Ginebra San Miguel coach Tim Cone, award-winning artist Ronald Ventura and actress Bea Alonzo, who also received the Volvo Iron Mark Award.

This year’s Resorts World “Lucky Person of the Year” award was given to Norman King, who rose from adversity  to become the first member of the Aeta community to graduate from the University of the Philippines Manila where he studied Behavioral Sciences. Babe Romualdez and Resorts World Manila president Kingson Sian presented Norman a trophy made by former People of the Year awardee, renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina.

Also present to receive Singapore Airlines’ “Airline of the Year” award was its general manager Balagopal Kunduvara. The world-class carrier, which is celebrating its 70th year, stirred excitement in the room when it gave away two round-trip Business Class tickets (Manila-Singapore-Manila) to lucky raffle winner Tina Jacinto and online contest winner Carl Cuevas.

Guests also enjoyed fantastic French-inspired food and drinks prepared by Sofitel Philippine Plaza. *

(People of the Year 2018 was supported by Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Volvo, Henann Group of Resorts, Megaworld, Resorts World Manila, The French Baker, St. Luke’s Medical Center, W Group, Penshoppe, GAOC, Marie France and Facial Care Centre, PLDT, Sta. Elena, Aboitiz Ventures Equity, SM Supermalls, Vista Land, Ultherapy and Merz Philippines, San Miguel, PAGCOR

and The Philippine STAR.)