Sarah Geronimo proudly raises PH flag at Billboard Women in Music Awards
ASIA’S Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo was honored with the Global Force Award at the Billboard Women in Music Awards at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, on Friday, March 7 (Manila time), making her the first Filipina to receive such recognition.
In her speech, the 35-yearold thanked God; her parents, whom she regarded as the very first people who “believed and supported” her; her longtime management, Viva Entertainment, led by Vic del Rosario; her Popsters fans; and actor-husband Matteo Guidicelli, who escorted her to the glittering ceremony.
“Thank you, Billboard, for celebrating women in music and for giving our country, the Philippines, this special recognition. Thank you, Billboard Philippines, for your commitment to bringing our music and more Filipino artists to a global audience,” she continued.
“I humbly accept this award on behalf of every excellent Filipino artist back home and all over the world. This honor belongs to all of us. For me, this recognition signifies courage and hope. [The] courage to accept and embrace oneself and... break boundaries and rise above all the setbacks and challenges that every artist needs to face. And the hope that one day, this meaningful moment will bridge the gap between the Philippines and other nations, collaborating and uniting as one to create change and positivity in the world through music. Once again, I am Sarah Geronimo from the Philippines. Mabuhay ang OPM. Maraming maraming. Salamat po, [Long live OPM. Thank you very much],” she ended.
Geronimo attended the awards night in a bespoke nude Michael Cinco gown.
She was also interviewed on the blue carpet and asked how it feels to have that kind of impact on such a global scale.
Geronimo’s response: “It’s very unexpected to be considered a global force. For me, a global force is having the power to influence people. It also comes with [a] big responsibility, right? You have to be mindful about the materials that you put out there so you can create change and positivity toward other people.”
The Filipina superstar was then asked what she thought of the event, which particularly honored working in music. Very humbly, she acknowledged partners and mothers for helping them succeed.
“Women are beautiful. Women are strong. And now that I am married, I understand how marriage can be difficult sometimes, but I would also like to salute men [for] how they take care of us women.
“[And] shoutout to my mother, Mommy Divine Geronimo — you are the best, you are my hero. Thank you very much. I mean, I cannot imagine myself being a mother; all the sacrifices [they have] to do for their child, it’s mind-blowing,” she added.
Besides Geronimo, other women in music who were given a Global Force Award were Italy’s Annalisa and Brazil’s Luísa Sonza.