People Power in January was festive and meaningful as People Asia magazine honored 16 outstanding individuals during its “People of the Year” awards at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. The awards night also coincided with the 10th anniversary of the magazine.
The awardees included CNN Hero for 2009 Efren Peñaflorida; Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J., the longest-serving president of Ateneo de Manila University; presidential bets Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and former Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.; Charo Santos-Concio, the first woman president of the ABS-CBN network; multi-awarded broadcast journalist and GMA-7 vice president for news programs Jessica Soho; British Broadcasting Corp. news anchorman Rico Hizon; Rustan’s president Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco; the “first lady” of Taguig and civic worker Kaye Tinga; veteran newsman lawyer Emil Jurado; art patron Mita Rufino; Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera; Bernd Schneider, the former general manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel; Inno Sotto, the Philippines’ “Prince of Fashion;” World Boxing Association’s super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.; and Manny Pacquiao.
People Asia also gave special awards to modern-day heroes who surfaced during storm Ondoy: Quezon City Judge Ralph Lee, the “jetski judge;” and actors Jericho Rosales and Gerald Anderson, who risked their lives to rescue flood victims. People Asia posthumously honored Muelmar Magallanes, who gave his life saving dozens during the deluge.
Special awards also went to the province of Camarines Sur, led by Gov. LRay Villafuerte, as the “Top Destination of the Year;” Nivat Chantarachoti, general manager of Thai Airways; Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, whose programs have improved farmers’ incomes; Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero; Sarah Geronimo; and the Singapore Airlines A380, the “Oasis in the Sky.”
This by-invitation-only event was sponsored by Sofitel Philippine Plaza, HSBC Credit Card, Thai Airways, Nissan Patrol, Aboitiz Group of Companies, ICTSI, Dockers, PAGCOR, Ipanema Rider, Titania Wines and The Philippine STAR.