Men Power
MANILA, Philippines — PeopleAsia magazine continues its tradition of honoring men who are making history as trailblazers and achievers in their chosen fields and profession through its “Men Who Matter” 2018 special awards night held at the Grand Ballroom of the New World Makati Hotel.
The much-anticipated “Men Who Matter” event, now on its 13th year, is held yearly to recognize exceptional men in the country whose individual successes inspire people.
Special guest of honor, Philippine Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez graced the event. Also present to welcome the elegant and dapper crowd with Romualdez were The Philippine STAR chairman Atty. Ray Espinosa and PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, who was gorgeous in a Rhett Eala number.
(From left) New World Makati Hotel GM Farid Schoucair, Philippine Ambassador to the US Babe Romualdez, The Philippine STAR chairman Atty. Ray Espinosa, Ambassador Sung Kim and PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez. Photos by WALTER BOLLOZOS
“I wasn’t really supposed to be here since I had to come home from Washington, DC for an official visit. But it is just as well that I have been able to extend my stay to join PeopleAsia magazine in honoring 12 distinguished gentlemen who grace the cover of our magazine’s special June-July issue. The ‘Men Who Matter’ awards night is a yearly event mounted by PeopleAsia to give recognition to both Filipinos and foreign friends who have shown exemplary achievement in their chosen fields or professions. They are individuals who are blazing trails with their accomplishments, clearly proving that indeed, they really matter,” Romualdez said in his opening remarks.
Leading the 13th edition of the “Men Who Matter” awardees was US Ambassador Sung Kim. Joining him in the esteemed roster of awardees were TV personality Ryan Agoncillo, Volvo and Chevrolet Philippines’ Albert Arcilla, entrepreneur Ton Concepcion, sculptor Daniel dela Cruz, The Philippine STAR columnist Francis Kong, UP-PGH director Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi, Home Studio’s Grant Lim, fashion designer Jojie Lloren, dramatic actor Jericho Rosales, Emperador Distillers Inc.’s Kendrick Tan and Marriott Manila cluster GM Bruce Winton.
From left: Ryan Agoncillo, Lexus’ Raymond Rodriguez, Sen. Sonny Angara and Dr. Gerardo ‘Gap’ Legaspi.
For his part, New World Makati Hotel general manager Farid Schoucair said, “It’s always a pleasure to be a partner of PeopleAsia magazine in this event as year after year, we witness men who pave a way for change in their respective fields. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joanne Rae Ramirez and her team who work tirelessly to make sure that these men are recognized. To these men, congratulations. Often we say that work carry weight but awards are the same. They also equate responsibility as an agent of change and inspiration.”
Also presented the awards to this year’s “Men Who Matter” were Sara Soliven de Guzman, Lexus’ Raymond Rodriguez, former “Men Who Matter” awardees Sen. Sonny Angara, Golden ABC’s Bernie Liu, Henann Group of Resorts VP for marketing Karl Chusuey and PhilSTAR Media Group executive vice president Lucien Dy Tioco.
From left: Atty. Ray Espinosa, Jericho Rosales, Francis Kong and Sara Soliven de Guzman.
VIPs from the diplomatic, business and social circles came in full force to the venue. Among them were Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng, Sen. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy, DPWH Secretary Mark Villar, Philippine Airlines president and COO Jimmy Bautista, Cathay Pacific Philippines country manager Rob Bradshaw, Singapore Airlines general manager Balagopal Kunduvara, actress Judy Ann Santos and fashion blogger Kim Jones.
Miss World-Philippines 2017 Laura Lehmann emceed the program, which featured a selfie contest won by Belo Medical Group’s Doris Jimenez. Up-and-coming singer Rachel Verns serenaded the crowd. Guests also enjoyed the sumptuous spread prepared by New World Makati Hotel.
Golden ABC’s Bernie Liu, Albert Arcilla and Joanne Rae Ramirez.
PeopleAsia magazine’s “Men Who Matter” issue is available in leading newsstands and bookstores nationwide.
PeopleAsia’s “Men Who Matter” 2018 awards night was made possible by New World Makati Hotel, Lexus Manila, Tygie, Megaworld Corp., Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp., QualiBet, BPI, Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center, Fundador, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Belo Medical Group, Unilab Inc. and The Philippine STAR.
