A #Crazy Rich People Asians night
PeopleAsia magazine’s 13th “Women of Style and Substance” awards at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City was a stellar night that celebrated women.
In my absence, PeopleAsia acting publisher Pepe Rodriguez and editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez welcomed guests to the much-awaited event that saw society’s movers and shakers, members of the diplomatic corps and social circles dressed to the nines, fit for the Crazy Rich Asians-inspired theme of the night.
The hotel’s dazzling Grand Ballroom was designed by Dave Sandoval like an indoor garden bedecked with flowers and greens, which captured opulent scenes from the bestselling novel and box-office hit.
Dr. Z Teo, Ambassador Kok Li Peng and PeopleAsia associate publisher Pepe Rodriguez.
Ramirez, fashionably dressed in a Francis Libiran number, said in her opening remarks, “They say behind every great man is a woman, and behind every great woman is herself. After all, in the word women, we, women, show that we rule — we carry ourselves in the ‘wo’ (pronounced ‘we’) and we carry the other half of the world with the letters ‘men.’ Spell it and say if you agree with me. W-o-m-e-n. Women have it all!”
This year’s “Women of Style and Substance” awardees are Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng, media executive Tootsy Angara, Age Defying Solutions’ Aiza Diuco, Miss Universe-Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray, Advance Paper Corp. founder Connie Haw, broadcast journalist Zen Hernandez, Go Negosyo adviser Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar, Kaayo’s Marga Nograles, finance wiz Jessica Palmiano, BPI Foundation’s Maricris San Diego and singer Morissette, who indulged the crowd with a heartfelt rendition of Whitney Houston classic Run to You.
(From left) Gottfried Bogensperger, Pepe Rodrigez, Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Joanne Rae Ramirez and Thibaud Jaouen.
Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, who was also a “Women of Style and Substance” awardee last year when she was then Agriculture Undersecretary, said in her speech, “I can only say that I am flattered to be alongside all the women, who also believe that style should never be independent of substance. In fact, it should be indicative of it.” She also urged everyone to be “our partners (in the Department of Tourism) as we continue to make the Philippines as one of the most fun and must-experience destinations in the world.”
During the program, emceed by Vince Velasco, Charriol regional sales director Thibaud Jaouen and merchandise manager Shirene Abel-Macapinlac announced the PeopleAsia and Charriol “Star of the Night” as Linda Yu, who received a stunning Charriol Forever watch as her prize.
The Grand Ballroom’s one-of-a-kind show kitchen features amazing performances and fire dance numbers.
After the program, the Grand Ballroom’s one-of-a-kind show kitchen was revealed complete with a heart-stopping performance and a fire show. Guests enjoyed sumptuous food at the beautifully laid out show kitchen, prepared by the Grand Hyatt Manila culinary team.
PeopleAsia’s 13th Women of Style and Substance event was presented by the Grand Hyatt Manila, Charriol, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corp. (BMW), Singapore Airlines, CosmoSkin, Pilipinas Shell, Home Studio Inc. The Aivee Group, San Miguel Corp., Ultherapy, Penshoppe, SM, Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, Duty Free Philippines and The Philippine STAR. *
