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.
“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. 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.
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.
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
Photo by MAU AGUASIN
‘Men Who Matter 2018.’ (From left) Volvo and Chevrolet Philippines’ Albert Arcilla, dramatic actor Jericho Rosales, US Ambassador Sung Kim, entrepreneur Ton Concepcion, sculptor Daniel dela Cruz, Home Studio’s Grant Lim, TV personality Ryan Agoncillo, Emperador Distillers Inc.’s Kendrick Tan, Marriott Manila cluster GM Bruce Winton, fashion designer Jojie Lloren, The PhilippineSTAR columnist Francis Kong and UP-Philippine General Hospital director Dr. Gerardo ‘Gap’ Legaspi.
Photos by WALTER BOLLOZOS
(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.
Golden ABC’s Bernie Liu, Albert Arcilla and Joanne Rae Ramirez.
Ambassador Babe Romualdez, Kendrick Tan and Henann Group of Resorts VP for marketing Karl Chusuey.
Atty. Ray Espinosa and Jericho Rosales.
Sen. Sonny Angara and Jojie Lloren.
Francis Kong and Sara Soliven de Guzman.
Grant Lim and Karl Chusuey.
Atty. Ray Espinosa and Ton Concepcion.
Bruce Winton and Sara Soliven de Guzman.
Daniel dela Cruz and Sara Soliven de Guzman.
Sen. Sonny Angara and Dr. Gerardo ‘Gap’ Legaspi.
Ryan Agoncillo and Lexus’ Raymond Rodriguez.
(From left) Volvo’s Paolo Ella, Chris Yu, Albert Arcilla, Chevrolet Philippines’ Lynn Buena, Jona Atienza and Daryl Cerezo.
(From left) Mykie and Izzy Concepcion, Menchu Concepcion, Ton, Karen and Carina Concepcion.
STAR’s Marichu Sheraton Hotel Villanueva and Monaco Manila’s Hope Velasco Consul General Fortune and Marriott Manila’s Ledesma. Michelle Garcia.
(From left) Rita Dy, Taal Vista Hotel’s Jan Nero and Michael Sagaran with Edu Jarque.
(From left) BPI’s Joey Silvestre, Rachelle Dangin, Anthony Alcantara, Roxanne Dangin and Madelein Embalado.
(From left) Makati Diamond Residences’ Leo Avila, Aileen Tan, Stephanie Chanco and Pau Esmedilla.
(From left) Connie Haw, Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, Agile Zamora and Linda Ley.
(From left) PeopleAsia’s Jannette Velasco, Alex Vergara, Princess Ocampo, Maica Maglipon, Isabella Olivares and Atty. Ray Espinosa.
(From left) Singapore Airlines GM Balagopal Kunduvara, Joanne Rae Ramirez, Cathay Pacific Philippines country manager Rob Bradshaw and Frank Evaristo.
(From left) The Peninsula Manila’s Mariano Garchitorena with Jo Ann Bitagcol, Jojie Lloren and Albert Avellana.
(From left) Jericho Rosales and Kim Jones with Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.
(From left) BPI’s Owen Cammayo, Resorts World Manila’s Joy Andrade, Aina Elinon and Joee Guilas.
(From left) Tygie’s Mike Harold Nario, Ivy Nario, Nicole Balaoing and Rob Lecario.
GAOC’s Jara Tayamen, Brian Lim and Delma Buhain.
Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng, Robert Lim Joseph Jr. and US Embassy Deputy Press Attaché Trude Raizen.
Ambassador Babe Romualdez, Martin Paz and Toni Palenzuela.
Jose Paolo dela Cruz, New World Makati Hotel’s Jann Delgado and Belo Medical Group’s Doris Jimenez.
(From left) PAL’s Pinky Balagtas and businessman Bernard Go with PAL’s Josen Perez de Tagle and Ria Domingo.
Emperador’s Raphael Carpio with Rain and Kendrick Tan.
Penser Q’s Jeff Paulino, Krissa Manuel and Ana Liza Bautista.
Togetech’s Christian Joyce Cambronero, Ma. Jessica and Denize Palmiano.
The Ascott Limited’s Philip Barnes, Heidi Manabat and Casey Faylona.
Jo Ann Bitagcol with Allure’s Luis Espirtu Jr. and Büm Tenorio Jr.
Suzette Hahn Lopez, Merci Padolina and Duday Tuason.
Jimmy Bautista, Ambassador Sung Kim and Costa Rica Consul Fausto Preysler.
STAR’s Christine Dayrit and Büm Tenorio Jr. with Marivic Rufino.
PAL president and COO Jimmy Bautista and Ambassador Babe Romualdez.
E d a n d Ramirez. J o a n n e R a e
City of Dreams Manila’s Romina Gervacio and Charisse Chuidian.
Japanese Embassy’s Natsumi Yoshida and Miwa Yamatoya.
Angola Consul Helen Ong, Chroma Hospitality’s Carmela Bocanegra and Fortune Ledesma.
Bargn Farmaceutici Phils. Co.’s Red Gatus and Niño Bautista.
Felicia and Raymond Rodriguez.
PhilSTAR Media Group EVP Lucien Dy Tioco and wife Hazel.
Tedrick Yau and May Bernad.
Sen. Sonny Angara and wife Tootsy.
Ambassador Sung Kim and daughter Erica.
Titania Wines’ Tita Trillo with Becky Garcia.
Daniel and Monica dela Cruz.
Jon and Guzman. Sara de
Ping and Valerie Sotto.
Unilab’s Bianca Diaz and Claire Papa.
Cory Quirino and Nini Licaros.
French Baker’s Johnlu Koa and wife Alou.
Alea, Grant and Rufina Lim.
PeopleAsia’s Jose Paolo dela Cruz, Gian Guerrero and Ramon Ruiz.
Monch Cruz and Quenby Go.
Monica Tiosejo and Karl Chusuey.
Ditas Marquez and Catarman, Northern Samar Vice Mayor Butch Bonsol.
Megaworld senior AVP Harold Geronimo.
PAL’s Debbie Cuyegkeng and Paeng Evangelista.
Francis Kong and wife Lilia.
Tina and Rupert Jacinto.
Sam Ramos Jones and Tricia Sotto.
DPWH Secretary Mark Villar.
New World Makati Hotel GM Farid Schoucair.
Hyatt City of Dreams Manila GM Peter Sullivan.
DoubleDragon Properties’ Brian Ong.
DPWH’s Anna Mae Lamentillo.
STAR’s Pepper Teehankee.
Rhett Eala.
Susan Joven.
Rachel Verns serenades the crowd.
Event emcee Laura Lehmann.
PAL’s Javier. Kit
Tina Cuevas.
PhilJets’ Thierry Tea.