‘Now is the time of women!’

It was a night of exceptional celebration as PeopleAsia magazine, through its “Women of Style and Substance” awards, honored the lives and achievements of women who have made an indelible imprint on society.

Now on its eighth year, the event, held at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza, drew an elegant and dapper crowd.

PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez in her welcome remarks said it best, “Tonight, we celebrate the best in men even if we’re celebrating women. Because the best in men are their women.”

Awardees who were present at this year’s Women of Style and Substance event were Sen. Grace Poe, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo, GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar, FILA president and CEO Cris Albert, restaurateur and hotelier Sheila Romero, fashion designer Vania Romoff, SM Men’s Fashion assistant vice president for marketing Ayen Florendo, award-winning equestrienne and youth advocate Michelle Cojuangco Barrera and Invisible Sisters Philippines head and Asia’s first female commercial pilot Aimee Carandang-Gloria. Other awardees include actresses and celebrity endorsers Heart Evangelista and Sam Pinto and supermodel and PR head for Unilever Personal Care Apples Aberin.

For his part, Sofitel Philippine Plaza GM Adam Laker said, “The magazine was launched here at this very hotel back in 1999. From 1999, the Sofitel has transformed to what it is now. It is our honor to celebrate the lives of these fantastic women and their achievements. As my wife always says, ‘It is the women of society that make the men half as good as they are’.”

Poe said in her closing remarks, “I’m honored to be included (in the list) with other awardees like Rep. Leni Robredo, who is the champion of the Freedom of Information Bill in the lower house. I feel that it’s now the time of women like (COA chairperson) Grace Pulido-Tan, (Ombudsman) Conchita Carpio-Morales, and (Justice Secretary) Leila de Lima who are trying to find the truth in what’s happening in our country now. I hope that PeopleAsia and all of you who are here today support our causes like FOI, which we are pushing, (because this) will make a big difference in our quest to find a really transparent and accountable government.”

Hosted by Markki Stroem, the event featured a fashion show with Miladay Jewels’ dazzling collections and the captivating creations of fashion designers Grace Ong, Maureen Disini, Pablo Cabahug and Women of Style and Substance awardee Vania Romoff.

One of the highlights of the night was the announcement of the “Best Dressed” award by Miladay’s Michelle Dayrit-Soliven and GAOC AVP for operations Dr. Rosalind Gomez. Joanne Zapanta-Andrada came dressed as Dita Von Teese, bagged the title and won an exquisite necklace from Miladay and P50,000 worth of gift certificates from GAOC.

This year’s Women of Style and Substance was presented by Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Miladay Jewels, Starworld, RCBC, GAOC, Chanel, Clarins, Murad, L’Oréal Professionnel, VMV Hypoallergenics, Gato Negro, Castillo de Molina, MAC Cosmetics and The Philippine STAR.

Photos by Joey Mendoza, Joey Viduya and Manuel Generoso