PEOPLE Asia to honor extraordinary individuals
An article published in The
Philippine Star, January 15, 2007
It will be a star studded occasion at the
Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangrila Hotel tonight as government officials,
foreign dignitaries, celebrities, business honchos and Manila's Who's Who
gather together for PEOPLE Asia's "People of the Year" Awards Night. No less
than President Arroyo, herself a previous awardee, led the guests in last
year's awards night. The 'People of the Year' Awards Night is the brainchild
of the magazine's late chariman and publisher Max Soliven, who personally
chose the awardees for the year 2006.
A highlight of the event will be a special tribute to Soliven through a
video presentation, with his widow, ambassador Preciosa Soliven and daugther,
STAR columnist Sara Soliven de Guzman in attendance. Now on its third year,
PEOPLE Asia's "People of the Year" recognizes 17 awardees: the Mount Everest
climbers Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata and Romi Garduce, Black Eyed Peas' Allan
Pineda, Gawad Kalinga's Tony Meloto, billiards Hall of Famer Efren "Bata"
Reyes, JG Summit's John Gokongwei Jr., Bianca Gonzalez, SM Inc.'s Tessie
Sy-Coson, Mayor Marides Fernando, PAGCOR's Efraim Genuino, Illac Diaz,
Camarines Sur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, Universal Motors Corp.'s Richard
Lee, San Miguel Corp.'s Ramon Ang, Air 21's Bert Lina and Instituto
Cervantes' Jose Rodriguez.
Manny Pacquiao, whose convincing triumph over Erik Morales during the Las
Vegas match last Nov. 18 was a cause for national celebration, will be given
a special award. PEOPLE Asia will also confer the Exemplary Achievement
Award to prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, top fashion designer Lulu
Tan-Gan, broadcast icon Charo Santos-Concio of ABS-CBN and multi-awarded
performer Regine Velasquez for their significant contribution in their
chosen fields.
Actor Edu Manzano and broadcast journalist Karen Davila will host the event,
with The Company and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra providing
entertainment.
Filipinos are familiar with mountaineers Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata and Romi
Garduce who made history as they conquered the top of the world. Black Eyed
Peas' Allan Pineda is arguably the most popular Filipino performer in the
world today, proudly singing his heart out on being a Filipino and releasing
an album entirely in Tagalog. Another awardee, Bianca Gonzalez, the most
celebrated TV personality of 2006, is also considered as an ambassador of
the youth.
Efren "Bata" Reyes, inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Billiard Congress
of America, is considered "the most lethal weapon in pool today" by
international organizations like International Pool Tour.
Gawad Kalinga's Antonio Meloto, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community
Service, builds homes and better lives for the homeless.
Social entrepreneur Illac Diaz, who was recognized by Jaycees International
as one of the Outstanding Persons of the World, is also making a difference
especially in the lives of seafarers through his MyShelter Foundation.
Two of Mayor Marides Fernando's chief achievements last year included
bagging the World Bank's Model Cities and World Health Organization's
Healthy City Award for Marikina city. Camarines Sur Governor L-Ray
Villafuerte is setting a benchmark in adventure tourism as he promotes his
province as a world-class venue for extreme sports.
Efraim Genuino's vision in making the country a top destination for gaming
and tourism is finally unfolding with the proposed PAGCOR City, a massive
entertainment complex that will rival Macau's. San Miguel Corporation's
Ramon Ang shows that big corporations have even bigger hearts through
socially relevant projects, among them a proposed self-contained village
that will provide a livable and peaceful environment to its residents.
Universal Motor Corporation's Richard Lee is advancing the automotive
industry through his worthwhile projects while logistics master, Bert Lina
of Air21, guarantees every Filipino that he deserves the most excellent
service at all times.
Veteran journalist Jose Rodriguez, who has spent more than 25 years in the
country and considers himself a true Filipino, continues to strengthen the
ties that bind the Philippines and Spain by promoting Spanish language and
culture in the country through the Instituto Cervantes of Manila, where he
was recently appointed as director.
The "People of the Year" is truly a momentous event that gives recognition
to extraordinary men and women who have touched the lives of others and
whose stories serve as inspiration to others.
The star-studded People of the Year Awards Nights is co-presented by Nissan
Patrol, Union Bank, ICTSI, PAGCOR and Air21. Also brought to you by
Philippine STAR, philstar.cm and Joey@92.3.