‘People of the Year’ glitters at 10

Glitz and glamour reigned at PeopleAsia’s 10th People of the Year awards at the New World Makati Hotel recently.

“It has been 10 years since we first launched the People of the Year awards to give recognition to exemplary individuals from diverse backgrounds and sectors of society, coming, too, from various industries and in different fields of expertise. Allow us also to share with you our great pride in saying that our magazine has become one of the most widely read today, and being featured within the pages of our publication has become a mark of distinction,” said PeopleAsia publisher and CEO Babe Romualdez in his welcome remarks.

Babe Romualdez, PeopleAsia associate publisher Kevin Belmonte and editor-in-chief and GM Joanne Rae Ramirez welcomed guests to the prestigious affair that was graced by Sen. Grace Poe, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo with wife Weng, The Philippine STAR president and CEO (also PeopleAsia’s vice chairman) Miguel Belmonte and the diplomatic corps.

Hosted by Bianca Valerio and Victor Aliwalas, the event featured captivating musical numbers of “People of the Year” awardees Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera together with Arthur Manuntag, who sang the night’s theme, People.

Leading this year’s list are Lifetime Achievement awardees Washington SyCip, founder of SGV & Co. (SyCip, Gorres and Velayo); and Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., chairman emeritus of Rustan Commercial Corp.

Other awardees included TV’s “King of Talk” Boy Abunda, showbiz icon Susan Roces, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, SM Prime Holdings and SM Investment Corp. first executive vice president Hans Sy, civic leader Loida Nicolas-Lewis; RCBC president Lorenzo Tan; humanitarian Mariquita Salimbangon-Yeung; Henann Group of Resorts chairman Henry Chusuey; St. Luke’s president and CEO Dr. Edgardo Cortez; fashion designer Cary Santiago; renowned glass sculptor Ramon Orlina; and presidential sister and “Queen of all Media” Kris Aquino.

PeopleAsia also named Pope Francis as a special awardee, for inspiring people with his gentleness and humility, outlining the mission of the Church as service to those who are vulnerable in society, and bridging the gaps that background, economic status, color and creed create among people.

“People of the Year 2015” was brought to you by PeopleAsia and the New World Makati Hotels, and presented by Smart Infinity. It was sponsored by Thai Airways, Philip Stein, Chevrolet Philippines, The Covenant Car Company Inc., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, International Container Terminals Services Inc., Meralco, Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines, Morellato, Sta. Elena Construction Development Inc., Moët & Chandon, L’Occitane, Crossover 105.1 Manila and The Philippine STAR.

Photos by JOEY MENDOZA, JOEY VIDUYA,

RENJIE TOLENTINO and MELO BALINGIT

When they rock, the building rumbles

Iconic American brand Pony Footwear gathered rock fans and mixed martial arts (MMA) enthusiasts in a Vegas-style event dubbed “Rock N’ Rumble Year 2” at Elements @ Centris in Quezon City recently. The brand’s battle cry “Let’s Get It On!” was resounding throughout the night of music and mayhem.

Hosted by TV personality Joyce Pring and radio DJ Rico Robles, the event embodied mixed elements that Las Vegas is known for in line with the brand’s uniqueness and individuality. The night was filled with adult entertainment and rebel rock, a mixed martial arts competition and performances from today’s rising indie bands.

Far from the confines of small gig spots, the massive Pony stage became a wicked playground for indie bands April Morning Skies, Save Me Hollywood, Jejaview and Hilera, where they played to the audience’s rapt attention and rousing reception.

In between those rockin’ performances, ladies in skin-tight outfits lent a hand to sexy games participated in by select Pony customers while the rest of the attendees enjoyed an exhibit featuring the brand’s most kickass designs as well as freebies, photo ops with naughty booth girls and other activities inside the venue.

An octagon was specially built for the event at the center of the venue where powerhouse MMA stalwarts had three show-stopping matches that kept the crowd enthralled. The first match had Danny Kingad of Team Lakay beating Reymon Doliguez of Submission Sport Philippines. The second fight had Asian open Brazilian Jiu jitsu gold medalist Geli Bulaong ruthlessly pinning down the newbie Jenjen Damaso of Team Cordillera Strikers. The third match with Karan Malli of Cavite Top Team and Reign Sotto of Submission Sport Philippines was intense where Sotto still reigned supreme.

(Visit www.facebook.com/PonyPH for the event’s video coverage and photos. Post your Twitpic or Instagram photos by tagging @pony_ph and use  hashtags #PONYROCKNRUMBLE #PONYFOOTWEAR #LETSGETITON.)