Pivoting to brighter days at PeopleAsia’s ‘People of the Year’ 2023

Dressed in intricate barong and Filipiniana gowns, this year’s “People of the Year” awardees, along with VIP guests trooped to the Grand Ballroom of Hilton Manila for the much-awaited “People of the Year” Awards Night. The leading lifestyle glossy celebrated, not just the awardees’ achievements, but also the dawn of a post-pandemic era.

As PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez mentioned in her editor’s remarks, “Thank you for giving us a moment to pivot… Pagkatapos ng hagupit ng pandemya, tayo’y umusad muli, wala nang saklay. At ngayo’y gumaganti pa — revenge travel, revenge shopping, revenge business. Matamis na paghihiganti, di po ba? Sweet revenge ika nga. (After the ire of the pandemic, we now move forward without crutches. And now we take revenge — revenge travel, revenge shopping, revenge business. Sweet revenge, as they call it.)”

And sweet revenge, it was, indeed.

“This [event] really goes to show that PeopleAsia is here to stay, and the reason why it has become a very prestigious — and the most prestigious, in fact — magazine in the Philippines today,” added PeopleAsia publisher (on leave) Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez, who delivered his speech from Washington DC.

Leading the list of awardees was influencer Small Laude, who took home the “People of the Year,” “People’s Choice” and “Volvo Ironmark” awards.

Also present to receive their “People of the Year” awards were Sen. Grace Poe, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, Angkas CEO George Royeca, Angola Consul Helen Ong, Ramon Magsaysay awardee and Child Protection Network executive director Dr. Bernadette Madrid, Cultural Center of the Philippines president Margie Moran Floirendo, and JC and House of Franchise co-founders, president and CEO Jonathan So and vice president and CFO Carl Macadangdang.

Special Awardees Pinky Tobiano of Qualibet Bureau Veritas Assure Quality and Jaime Ponce De Leon of Leon Gallery were also honored; while Singapore Airlines, represented by general manager Sia Nam Kung, was named “Airline of the Year.” Aboitiz Group CEO Sabin Aboitiz and designer Lesley Mobo accepted their awards virtually. 

Emceed by Metro Pacific Investments Corp. director Atty. Michael T. Toledo and Bianca Valerio, the event was made even more memorable by The Company. Hilton Manila GM John Lucas personally welcomed guests.

Marcy David Orchestra provided live music, while event stylist Dave Sandoval did the floral arrangements. Guests also took home bottles of wine from Montes and Grant Burge Wine by Ralph’s Wines and Spirit.

PeopleAsia’s “People of the Year” Awards Night was staged in partnership with Hilton Manila, Volvo Cars Philippines, HSBC Philippines, SM Supermalls, Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., Megaworld Corp., San Miguel Corp., Wilcon Depot, Leon Gallery, Fredley Group of Companies, Ultherapy of Merz Aesthetics, Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc., Montes and Grant Burge Wine by Ralph’s Wines and Spirit, and The Philippine Star.