Our chairman and publisher

Yesterday the remains of our late chairman and publisher of PEOPLE Asia magazine was finally laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio — a fitting ceremony for a man who really loved this country deeply. The burial rites were extremely moving, with a 100-year-old military tradition given to soldiers and Filipinos who have served this country well. Max was a guerilla volunteer who fought against the Japanese during World War II when he was a cadet of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. (ROTC) at the Ateneo de Manila.

Everyone who loved and respected Max were all present.

This coming Monday, we will honor Max through a tribute at PEOPLE Asia’s "People of the Year" awards night at the Makati Shangri-La. "People of the Year" was the brainchild of Max, an idea he had that would give recognition to extraordinary individuals whose achievements serve as an encouragement and inspiration for others to become achievers as well.

It was actually a coincidence that Max personally chose the idea he had that would give recognition to extraordinary individuals whose achievements serve as an encouragement and inspiration for others to become achievers as well.

It was actually a coincidence that Max personally chose the awardees for the year 2006. In fact, he remembered to sign the letters congratulating the awardees shortly before he left for Japan last year. We were only able to send these letters early this year.

The "People of the Year 2006" awards night will honor the man who coined the term himself and was behind the legacy that was started by PEOPLE Asia magazine three years ago. Stargate Media Corp. is a joint venture publishing company with The Philippine STAR and other investors as partners like myself, Bank of Commerce president Raul de Mesa and Mr. Ramon Cojuangco Jr. During our recent board meeting, the new officers of the company were elected, with myself as CEO and publisher, together with Miguel as our associate publisher, Kevin Belmonte as president and Choy Cojuangco as chairman of the board. Dr. Charles Chante was also elected as vice chairman.

This year’s awardees include SM heiress Tessie Sy-Coson, Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto, JG Summit’s John Gokongwei Jr.; San Miguel Corp.’s Ramon Ang; Universal Motors Corp.’s Richard Lee and Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando and a host of others who give new meaning to achievement.

Manny Pacquiao, whose feat has given this country such honor in the international boxing arena, will also receive a special award along with ABS-CBN executive Charo Santos-Concio, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Regine Velasquez and Lulu Tan Gan for their exemplary career achievements.

The highlight of the event will be a special video presentation paying special tribute to Max Soliven. The widow of our late chairman, Ambassador Precious Soliven and daughter Sara Soliven de Guzman will join us during the event.

The awards night is the magazine’s biggest and most prestigious event, and many guests have already confirmed their attendance, among them members from the diplomatic circle like US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, British Ambassador Peter Beckingham and Argentinean Ambassador Mario Schuff who were all friends of our late chairman. Business bigwigs, government officials, media personalities as well as celebrities from the entertainment industry are expected to attend the affair.

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Our fellow Tuesday Club member Charlie Agatep told us the other day that Euro RSCG Worldwide, whose Manila office is run by Agatep and Associates, has been named the "Global Agency Network of the Year" by advertising publications Ad Age and Campaign. Charlie believes that advertising agencies are the engines of growth for businesses like telecom companies, banks, airlines, pharmaceutical firms, IT companies, etc.

Charlie is a man who really takes care of his business, and he has helped a number of clients build up their brands. His advice to companies who want to establish their brands not only locally but in the global marketplace is to get the help of a marketing communications agency with a global network.

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