MANILA, Philippines - People Asia magazine recently held its much-awaited annual “Men Who Matter” event at Rustan’s Essences, Grand Mall in Glorietta 4. The highbrow affair recognized men who are catalysts of progress in their respective fields.
While the finest of cocktails were served by The Peninsula Manila, guests relished smooth jazz numbers from saxophonist Dr. Michael Young. The program opened with a fashion show of the latest men’s wear from Rustan’s Oleg Cassini and Black Label Homme. And showcased during the entire evening were images of the men from People Asia’s June-July issue — photographed by Sara Black as well as Frank Hoefsmit — set on high-definition flat screen TVs provided by Samsung.
People Asia publisher and CEO Babe Romualdez, along with People Asia’s editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez and general manager Beth Mendoza presented this year’s batch of Men Who Matter their awards and an Oleg Cassini gift package.
This year’s Men Who Matter who “beefed up” the Grand Mall included multi-awarded dramatic actor John Lloyd Cruz, 2009-2010 PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP James Yap, GMA broadcast journalist Ivan Mayrina, renowned Philippine-based chef Billy King, Lucerne Group of Companies managing director Emerson Yao, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila Hotel GM Goran Aleks, STAR columnist Johnny Litton, celebrity dentist Dr. Mark Gan, HSBC-Philippines head of retail banking business Ron Logan, V. Consunji Inc. CEO Victor Consunji and best director of the 2009 Cannes Film Festival Brillante Mendoza. Also in the Men Who Matter roster are BPI president and CEO Gigi Montinola, photographer Frank Hoefsmit, architect Jason Buensalido, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. president and CEO Lorenzo Tan and popular telenovela star and athlete Derek Ramsay.
The event, emceed by Angelika Cruz, was graced by Thai Airways general manager Nivat Chantarachoti, Weber Shandwick’s Mike Toledo, HSBC’s Johanna Garcia and Cat Avelino, SSI’s Malu Francisco, Beverly Hills 6750’s Suzette Hahn Lopez, Belo Essential’s Cristalle Henares, The Peninsula Manila’s Mariano Garchitorena, Rustan’s Inno Sotto, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Maggie Wilson, Ricky Davao, Sari Yap, Facial Care’s George Siy, Silk Cocoon’s Jean Goulbourn and Frances Lim, designer Ito Curata and Robert Miller, among others.
People Asia’s Men Who Matter event was sponsored by Rustans, HSBC, Thai Airways, The Peninsula Manila, Hennessy Cognac, Moet & Chandon, Ayala Malls, Oleg Cassini, Black Label Homme, NARS, Lauren Mercier, Clarins Men, Univers Phyto Salon by Kaizen and Samsung.