Beauty & purpose reign in PeopleAsia’s 14th year

When PeopleAsia magazine was launched 14 years ago, its founding publisher Max V. Soliven said the magazine had six billion reasons for its existence — the world’s six billion people as the new millennium approached.

Soliven had it spot-on, as always. And today, as the magazine celebrates its 14th year, it has 7.2 billion reasons to keep the stories coming. Real lives, real stories, real people.

Since 2004, the magazine has been giving out “People of the Year” awards to people who have stood out in the past year for their achievements, advocacies and attitude. The awards have since become much-awaited year after year.

PeopleAsia unveils its “People of the Year 2013” in a special 14th anniversary issue that pays tribute to world-class Filipinos who have done their country proud with their extraordinary talents and contributions to society. On the cover is Miss World 2013 Megan Young, the first Filipina to win the much-coveted title after 62 years.

True to the pageant’s credo of “beauty with a purpose,” Megan epitomizes both the physical and inner beauty of the Filipino, especially with her active participation in relief efforts, during the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda.

The magazine is also giving out its Lifetime Achievement Award to National Book Store founder Socorro “Nanay Coring” Ramos, whose hard work and dedication has inspired a generation of Filipinos to read and value education.

Joining Megan and Nanay Coring in this issue are other “People of the Year,” awardees: superstar Nora Aunor, a multi-awarded actress and singer who continues to inspire the loyalty of her followers; and Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, who has performed in over 1,000 concerts all over the world. Also on this year’s list are critically acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza, who won Best Director at the 62nd Cannes Film Festival and was knighted to the French Order of the Arts and Letters by the French government; and “Prince of Indie” Coco Martin whose compelling portrayals have earned for him awards from various bodies such as Gawad Urian.

PeopleAsia also trains the spotlight on business leaders such as Rizal Banking Commercial Corp. chair Helen Yuchengco Dee, who has broken the glass ceiling with both a family empire and legacy in her hands; Shell Philippines country chair Edgar Chua, who leads the multinational both in business growth and its countless advocacies for the underprivileged; and ABS-CBN channel head Cory Vidanes, who is a vital force in the largest media conglomerate in the country. 

Public service is also at front and center of this year’s special issue as the magazine names Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, who has led Cavite to become one of the most industrialized and fastest growing provinces in the country; and Fr. Gerard Deveza, a healing priest working with underprivileged kids in Sorsogon, as “People of the Year.”

Also on this year’s list are five-time PBA “Coach of the Year” Chot Reyes, whose team Smart Gilas Pilipinas won silver at the recent FIBA Asia championship; fashion designer Criselda Lontok, whose work has earned her the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rustan Group of Companies; “Dentist to the Stars” Dr. Steve Mark Gan, whose Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center is the most advanced dental implant center in the country today; and Australian hotelier Thomas Meyer, managing director of the highly successful Raffles and Fairmont Makati hotels.

Special awards are also given this year to 23-year-old Alexandra Eduque, whose charitable works through Habitat for Humanity have been recognized internationally; and the MVP Group of Companies for their extensive relief efforts for the disaster-ravaged provinces in the Philippines.

All these and more as PeopleAsia caps the year with The Best of 2013, along with colorful side trips to India, South Africa and more.

People of the Year Awards is being sponsored by Raffles and Fairmont Hotels, RCBC, GAOC, Thai Airways, Rustan’s, NARS, Laura Mercier, L’Occitane, Starworld and Coca-Cola.

(For inquiries, call Precy at 892-1854 or 0922-877-65-55. PeopleAsia is also available at iTunes. Download your free iPad app today.) (You may e-mail me at joanneraeramirez@yahoo.com.)