MANILA, Philippines - People Asia magazine recently held its annual “Women of Style and Substance” at the EDSA Shangri-La Manila’s Garden Ballroom, a high-brow affair hosted by the witty STAR columnist RJ Ledesma. As a flourish of cocktails and buffet was served, guests enjoyed snazzy jazz numbers by Fil-American artist Charmaine Clamor of Viva Records as well as a dazzling fashion show of SM’s latest ladies’ wear.
The women chosen to be part of the roster are the embodiment of good looks and achievement and have been able to strike the perfect balance between style and substance. This year’s roster includes ABS-CBN Foundation’s Gina Lopez, broadcast journalist Pia Arcangel, Goldilocks’ marketing director Pinky Yee, Honorary Consul to Monaco Fortune Ledesma, Beverly Hills 6750’s GM Suzette Hahn-Lopez, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas-Nazareno, working heiress Camille Villar, Mega Publishing Group CEO Sari Yap, chef and Quickfire TV host Rosebud Benitez, Silk Cocoon designer Katrina Goulbourn-Feist and CamSur’s first lady and entrepreneur Lara Villafuerte. Other beauties recognized but whose presence was missed were Sen. Loren Legarda, Smart’s Annie Naval, beautiful and accomplished hotelier Monique Toda, Bayo’s Corcor Bitong and Lynn Agustin, Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo and the silently strong and steady Jinkee Pacquiao, wife of the world’s greatest pound-for-pound boxer, Manny Pacquiao.
Accompanied by a photo exhibit of the women captured elegantly by seasoned photographers Frank Hoefsmit and Niccolo Cosme, the event was graced by Thai Airways GM Nivat Chantarachoti, HSBC vice president for corporate communications Johanna Garcia, Gov. LRay Villafuerte, Weber Shandwick’s Mike Toledo, EDSA Shangri-La GM Sinan Yilmaz and EDSA Shangri-La’s communications director Rikka DyLim.
People Asia’s Women of Style and Substance was sponsored by EDSA Shangri-La Manila, SM Department Store, HSBC credit card, Thai Airways, The Philippine Star, Titania Wines, Grendha, Card King, QualiBet Testing Services, Hype Ardent Skin Care, The Australian College of Hair Design & Beauty and XFM 92.3.