‘People(Asia) Power’

Power and glamour came together as President Benigno S. Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay, with top government officials and the diplomatic corps, joined the country’s movers and shakers during PeopleAsia magazine’s People of the Year awards on Jan. 21 at the Raffles and Fairmont Makati.

President Aquino led the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement award to Socorro “Nanay Coring” Ramos.

“As someone who has dedicated her whole life to cultivate a love of reading — and consequently, a love of learning — in Philippine society, she (Nanay Coring) has nurtured generations of Filipinos and left a lasting mark on our country,” said President Aquino.

The President thanked the members of the diplomatic corps — who were also honored in the event — for their support and solidarity with the Philippines in the wake of recent calamities.

President Aquino also commended the magazine for recognizing people who have inspired others.

“Publications like PeopleAsia

have the choice of simply confining themselves to being a lifestyle magazine, or of pushing the envelope further, and taking stock and recognizing the people who are making a real difference in a wide variety of industries. Clearly: You have chosen the latter, not only through features of unique personalities in their issues, but also through your People of the Year awards.”

Also at the event were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, Press Secretary Herminio Coloma, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and The Philippine Star president and CEO Miguel Belmonte.

With me in welcoming our distinguished guests were PeopleAsia chairman Ramon Cojuangco Jr., president Kevin Belmonte and editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez.

Hosted by Marc Nelson and Bianca Valerio, the event staged a fashion show that featured awardee Criselda Lontok’s all-new collection, created especially for the awards night. Awardee Kuh Ledesma, whose musical career spans 35 years, delivered a captivating rendition of Somewhere and a crowd favorite, One More Try.

Other awardees present were Miss World 2013 Megan Young, superstar Nora Aunor, GAOC’s Dr. Steve Mark Gan, Shell Philippines country chair Edgar Chua, director Brillante Mendoza, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chair Helen Yuchengco Dee, ABS-CBN channel head Cory Vidanes, Divine Healer Academy’s Fr. Gerard Deveza, “Prince of Indie” Coco Martin and five-time PBA “Coach of the Year” Chot Reyes. Other awardees include Raffles and Fairmont Makati GM Tom Meyer (represented by his wife, Claudia) and Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla.

Special awards were given to Alexandra Eduque, whose philanthropic and charitable works through Habitat for Humanity have been recognized by international groups; and the MVP Group of companies, represented by lawyer Mike Toledo, for its extensive relief efforts for the typhoon Yolanda survivors.

“People of the Year 2013” was presented by Raffles and Fairmont Makati, RCBC, Thai Airways, Rustan’s, GAOC, NARS, Laura Mercier, L’Occitane, Star World, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Aboitiz, ICTSI, Cream Factory, House of Obagi, L’Oréal, Philex Mining and The Philippine Star.