‘People of the Year’ awards tonight

All roads lead to People Asia magazine’s “People of the Year 2007” awards at the InterContinental Hotel in Makati City tonight. A brainchild of the late STAR and People Asia publisher Max V. Soliven, the “People of the Year” honors people whose lives empower, inspire and encourage others to achieve their best.

On the distinguished list of awardees is Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, the first woman governor in a land traditionally dominated by men – proving that in the eyes of Batangueños, the best man for the job is a woman; Loren Legarda, who topped the senatorial elections twice – first in 1998 and then in 2007 – the only woman in Philippine history to do so; and Taguig Mayor Sigfrido Tinga, who transformed the once-sleepy municipality into a booming city.

Prominent men and women in business also make up this year’s awardees. Dubbed the newest billionaire in the block, Megaworld’s Andrew Tan is a self-made businessman who is carving a niche in the real estate and property industry; Teodorico Haresco Jr. is a technocrat whose bridges have also helped build the lives of Filipinos living in some of the remotest areas in the country; and Entrepreneurs School of Asia founder Vivienne Tan’s work continues to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship among Filipinos.

Now approaching its eighth year, the magazine also honors exceptional women whose lives are creating an extraordinary impact on others: Congressional Spouses Foundation head Gina de Venecia who turned her grief into compassion, building havens for the elderly as well as abused mothers and children; Pinky Pe Tobiano, a cancer survivor who has become a passionate advocate for healthy and safe lifestyles through her testing company Qualibet; and Janet Belarmino, Carina Dayondon and Noelle Wenceslao, who put the Philippines in history books once again for being the first Filipino women to scale Mt. Everest and becoming the first Southeast Asian women to reach the summit.

Two remarkable people round up the list of “People of the Year 2007” awardees. At 92, Fr. James Reuter is untiring in serving the poor, seeking the lost and saving souls. Though he is an American, his heart is undoubtedly for the Filipino, devoting over 60 years of his life to spreading the word of God in the Philippines.  As the country’s undisputed Comedy King, Rodolfo “Dolphy” Quizon has brought laughter and joy in the lives of Filipinos for so many decades. An entertainment industry icon, Mang Dolphy, as he is fondly called by colleagues and showbiz industry workers, has inspired many aspiring comedians to excel.

The star-studded affair is the magazine’s most prestigious event, attended by top government officials, celebrities, members of the diplomatic circle, media personalities, captains of industry – virtually the country’s “Who’s Who.”

People Asia magazine’s “People of the Year” awards cuts across class, gender, age, race and affiliation – a memorable event that celebrates life and honors extraordinary men and women whose lives make a positive difference in the lives of others.

The exciting “People of the Year” awards night is co-presented by HSBC, Dockers San Francisco, Nissan Patrol Super Safari, Air 21, Qatar Airways, the Aboitiz Group of Companies, ICTSI and Chaikofi in cooperation with The Philippine STAR and philstar.com.