PeopleAsia magazine’s “People of the Year” celebrates the accomplishments of men and women, regardless of age or stature, whose lives were made extraordinary by their passion, dedication, selflessness, courage, grit, determination and other admirable traits that could serve as example and inspiration to others.
This yearly tradition started in 2004, when my good friend Max Soliven, the late founding chairman and publisher of PeopleAsia, decided to give recognition to outstanding individuals from diverse fields and industries, regardless of age, gender, status in life and, yes, even political affiliation.
The 15th People of the Year awards recently held at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Pasay City, which also marked the magazine’s 19th anniversary, was graced by well-heeled guests, dapper gentlemen and elegant ladies, from the diplomatic corps, business, entertainment and social circles.
Welcoming guests, including special guest of honor Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, were associate publishers Pepe Rodriguez and Kevin Belmonte, and editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez.
Our esteemed “People of the Year” awardees this year include Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey
Concepcion, who also received the Volvo Iron Mark Award; businessmen William Belo, Rikki Dee and Dennis Uy, fashion designer Len Cabili, artist Andres Barrioquinto, actress and painter Heart Evangelista-Escudero, singer
Lani Misalucha and athlete Hidilyn Diaz.
PeopleAsia also named the men behind President Duterte’s “Build, Build, Build” program its special awardees: Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Vince Dizon. Guests were charmed by our People’s Choice awardee Scarlet Snow Belo, who has taken social media by storm with her wit and charm. Three-year-old Scarlet, who was accompanied by her parents Dr. Hayden Kho and Dr. Vicki Belo, who was also a People of the Year awardee in 2016, is our youngest awardee to date. This year’s Resorts World “Lucky Persons of the Year” awards were given to National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab and singer KZ Tandingan. Joanne Rae Ramirez and Resorts World Manila president Kingson Sian presented Cayabyab and Tandingan their plaques designed by former People of the Year awardee, renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina. Together, the Lucky Persons of the Year awardees performed Ryan Cayabyab hits Limang Dipang Tao, Better World and Paraiso. Awardee Lani Misalucha captivated the audience with her heartfelt performance of her international release Timeless and her OPM hit Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, a crowd favorite. The program was ably emceed by award-winning host Issa Litton in a Debbie Co gown, and the night’s ambience was set by the Marcy David Band. Ito Curata designed the shimmering coral gown of Joanne Rae Ramirez. Guests also enjoyed a fantastic spread of sumptuous fare and flowing drinks prepared by Marriott Manila Hotel’s culinary team led by executive chef Meik Brammer.*
Guest of honor Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (center), PeopleAsia associate publisher Pepe Rodriguez (extreme left), editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez (extreme right) with (from left) special awardees Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Vince Dizon, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar and Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno of ‘Build, Build, Build,’ ‘People of the Year’ awardees singer Lani Misalucha, athlete Hidilyn Diaz, Presidential Adviser on Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, businessmen Rikki Dee, Dennis Uy and William Belo, fashion designer Len Cabili and artist Andres Barrioquinto; Resorts World Manila’s ‘Lucky Persons of the Year’ singer KZ Tandingan and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.
(From left) Pepe Rodriguez, Udenna Corp.’s Dennis Uy, Joanne Rae Ramirez, Sara Soliven de Guzman and PeopleAsia associate publisher Kevin Belmonte.
(From left) Sara Soliven de Guzman, Kevin Belmonte, Rikki Dee and Pepe Rodriguez.
(From left) Volvo’s Chris Yu, Joey Concepcion, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Volvo Philippines president and CEO Atty. Albert Arcilla.
(From left) Vince Dizon, Secretaries Benjamin Diokno and Mark Villar with Turkish Airlines GM Erhan Balaban.
Pepe Rodriguez, Lani Misalucha and Albert Arcilla.
Filip+Inna’s Len Cabili, Joanne Rae Ramirez and Kevin Belmonte.
Marriott International cluster GM Bruce Winton, Hilton Manila’s Joanne Golong Gomez and Resorts World Manila’s Joee Guilas.
(From left) Doctors Hayden Kho and Vicki Belo with their daughter, PeopleAsia’s People’s Choice awardee Scarlet Snow Belo and Sta. Elena Construction’s Alice Eduardo.
Albert Arcilla and Andres Barrioquinto.
Hidilyn Diaz and Albert Arcilla.
Ryan Cayabyab and Resorts World Manila president Kingson Sian.
Pepe Rodriguez and Wilcon Depot’s William Belo.
KZ Tandingan and Kingson Sian.
Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev and Art Lopez.
Ihoko Haneda.
(From left) Connie Haw, Rosemarie Custodio Basa, Joey Concepcion, Agile Zamora, Marissa Concepcion and Myrna Yao.
(From left) PeopleAsia’s Jannette Velasco, Hermes Tunac, Gian Guerrero, Bryle Suralta, Maica Maglipon and Alex Vergara.
(From left) Resorts World Manila’s Aina Elinon, Mae Bernardo and Mary Anne Tejada with Hidilyn Diaz and Resorts World Manila’s Joy Andrade and Archie Nicasio.
(From left) Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar and Secretary Mark Villar with daughter Emma and SM Retail president and CEO Chito Manalo with Joanne and Ed Ramirez.
(From left) Monch Cruz, Dennis Uy, Lutz Kunack, Rene Banzon, Quenby Go and Russ Alfonso.
(From left) Hotel 101 Group’s Brian Ong, Hotel 101 Manila’s Ronel Sunga, Jinjiang Inn Makati’s Wesley-Ann Go Sta. Maria, Jinjiang Inn Ortigas’ Sherwinne Cabalang and Nikho Bacar.
(From left) Caren Grey, Colo Ventosa, Len Cabili, Akiko Thomson Guevara, Voltaire Tayag and Chips Guevara.
(From left) Sara Soliven de Guzman and Sonia Mayor with Valerie and Ping Sotto.
Volvo XC40 on display at the event.
Salcedo Auctions gallery at the People of the Year event.
(From left) Chino Ramirez and Gi-Anne Agoncillo with Aimee and Joel Ferrer.
Ryan Cayabyab and KZ Tandingan perform at the awards night.
(From left) PeopleAsia’s Ramon Ruiz, Flor Alvarez, Princess Ocampo and Jose Paolo dela Cruz.
Singapore Airlines’ Jigs Reodica, GM Lee Yong Tat and Aiza Garcia.
Turkish Airlines’ Alyssa Lopez, Erhan Balaban and Sophia Kimura.
(From left) Sergio Boero, Mayenne Carmona, Hera Geriene and Tina Cuevas.
Sofitel’s Margot Calimon, Dave Pimentel and Yasmine Hidalgo.
Doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho with their daughter Scarlet Snow.
Antonio and Rosemarie Ong.
Derek Flores and STAR’s Pepper Teehankee.
Madison Galleries’ Joy and Joel Rustia.
STAR’s Büm Tenorio Jr. and Christine Dayrit.
Luis, Ann and Rene Puno.
Dennis and Cherylyn Uy.
Rikki and Beng Dee.
Sara and Jon de Guzman.
Salcedo Auctions’ Karen and Richie Lerma.
Mara and Hera Geriene.
Ryan Cayabyab and wife Emmy.
Manuel Andanondo and Anna Mae Lamentillo.
Lino and Toni Palenzuela.
Rocky Rodrigo Sun and Aiza Diuco.
Andres Barrioquinto and Iya Consorio.
St. Luke’s’ Rod Razo and Vanessa Zaragoza.
KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde.
Volvo’s Michael Angelo Lagman and Alcides Max Chunaco.
Bob Miller and Curata. Ito
Lani Misalucha s e r e n a d e s t h e crowd.
Costa Rica Consul Fausto Preysler and son Fausti.
Rita Dy and Edu Jarque.
GAOC’s Dr. Steve Mark Gan.
Jojie Dingcong.
One Meralco Foundation’s Jeff Tarayao.
Megaworld’s Harold Geronimo.
Johnny Litton.
Sandy Lamb Moran.