People Of The Year Awards

Cebu’s pride and global furniture designer, Kenneth Cobonpue added another commendation to his ever growing list of accomplishments, achievements and awards.

Just for the record: his various well-deserved citations include the 2004 Perlas Award for Outstanding Cebuano, the 2004 Ten Outstanding Young Men Award, the region’s highest design award – the Design of Asia Award for the Lolah Collection in 2005, the 2008 Outstanding Quality and Design Innovation at the DECOREX in London,United Kingdom, the Coup de Coeur Award for 2009 at the Marson et Object shows in Paris, France for the Bloom chair.

And that’s not all. For clients, sterling celebrities such as Franco de Niro, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, to name but a few and his original designs were seen in the movie Ocean’s 13 and the popular television series CSI.

The home-grown, island born and bred, Kenneth together with 11 extraordinary men and women were recently named 2010 People of the Year, an annual prestigious search organized by the well-read People Asia Magazine, the sister publication of the leading national newspaper, The Philippine Star and Cebu-based The FREEMAN.

In a glittering glamorous formal evening affair attended by no less than President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, several ranking government officials from the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, taipans and tycoons of the business world, members of the diplomatic corps, luminaries from high society, stars of the entertainment circles, coupled with champions of socially conscious programs and projects, and leaders of heartwarming advocacies, the magic 12 were honored for having “reshaped their community, the country and even the world. . . Making their worlds and ours, more interesting, more beautiful, more humane and yes, even more happy.”

The peerless 12 “who have raised the bar so that others will walk taller someday” include the elderly statesman with a razor sharp wit, the formidable Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile; the builder of well-planned cities, the visionary architect with a conscience, Felino Palafox Jr.; the willing servant of the poor and everybody’s friend Fr. Rocky Evangelista; airline Chief Executive Officer who is also innovative financial sage Jaime Bautista; media giant and passionate news anchor-broadcaster Mike Enriquez; the international fashion designer and fashion icon Josie Natori; the genius music maker and musician Ryan Cayabyab; the heartthrob actor with the golden heart Dingdong Dantes; the universally accepted Filipina beauty, the inspirational Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Venus Raj; the brain responsible for the Philippine map proudly inscribed on polo shirts and t-shirts, the patriotic fashion designer with many admirable innovations Rhett Eala; and the country’s only floral architect, Rachy Cuna, absolute whiz with his magical hands.

Special awards were given to Bar bomb blast victim, the unstoppable Raissa Dawn Laurel for her bravery and courage in times of misfortune and disaster, and to a young French national and CEO of Eurocopter Philippines, Thierry Teo who instinctively mobilized his aircraft and choppers to assist several Filipinos in their desperate time of need and distress during the onset of the hard-to-forget killer typhoon Ondoy.

The People of the Year Awards was presented by the Hong Kong Shanghai Bank Corporation, Aboitiz Group of Companies, International Container Terminal Services, Inc., Thai Airways, Chevrolet, Eurocopter Philippines, Ipanema, Samsung, Grendha, Coca-Cola, The Wine Club, Luxe by Goldilocks and The Philippine Star.

It was absolutely a rewarding and fulfilling grand event, applauding individuals who in turn made us very proud to be Filipinos.

Mabuhay!