Women of Style and Substance Archives

Remembering Jaclyn Jose, the first Filipino actress to win at Cannes

Name it, and chances are she had won it. Over a 40-year acting career, which began when she was barely 21 in 1984 with the release of a smorgasbord chick flick titled, well, Chicas, the late Jaclyn Jose had won almost every available accolade there was, from FAMAS to Urian,…

Michelle Marquez Dee reaches top 10 at Miss Universe

By Alex Y. Vergara Her countrymen’s hopes of seeing the Philippines win its fifth crown in the world’s most watched beauty pageant were dashed when the autism advocate, bowing out to her Thai, Puerto Rican, Australian, Colombian and Nicaraguan rivals, failed to make it to the contest’s make-or-break question-and-answer rounds.…

Michelle Marquez Dee: A queen transformed

She’s blessed with all the qualities of a winner — tall, svelte, articulate and even pedigreed in pageant lineage as the daughter of former beauty queen Melanie Marquez. But this year’s Miss Universe Philippines titleholder had to wait for one more sign before strapping on her pageant heels one more…

Freedom, finally!: Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Leila De Lima reunite

When Sen. Risa Hontiveros received PeopleAsia’s Women of Style & Substance award in Okada Manila last year, she dedicated the award to another woman: detained former senator Leila de Lima, who she said "“pays the cost for speaking up for justice and righteousness… who even at knife’s point stands her…

Dolly de Leon: “Dollywood Dreams”

The first Filipino actor to be nominated at the prestigious Golden Globe Awards and British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA) is now setting her sights on La La Land itself, where she is set to blaze a trail alongside some of the film industry’s most respected names.…

Style and substance personified at PeopleAsia’s awards night

PeopleAsia, led by editor-in-chief Joanne Ramirez, paid homage to stars that shine in their chosen fields, as the country’s go-to lifestyle glossy recognized 15 leading ladies as this year’s “Women of Style and Substance.” PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, extreme right, and PeopleAsia board member Sara Soliven, left, with this…

Sharon Cuneta: It’s still Sharon Cuneta’s show

After losing more than 100 lbs. over the course of seven years and gaining back the confidence that her previous struggles with weight had somewhat eclipsed, Sharon Cuneta proves that slow and steady, indeed, wins the race — even for the one and only Megastar. By Jose Paolo S. dela…

Alyssa Valdez: Belle of the ball

On top of being a three-time conference “Most Valuable Player” at the Philippine Volleyball League, Alyssa Valdez — known to many as “The Phenom” — continues to captivate the public, not just with her athletic prowess, but also with her compassion, humility and love for the sport she has undeniably…

Tots Carlos: Playing with purpose

On her way to becoming one of the country’s top volleyball players, Diana Mae “Tots” Carlos has had her fair share of ups and downs — and everything in between. Almost a decade into it, the three-time Premier Volleyball League MVP is still on a spike, promising that she’s yet…

Mary Simisim: Making self-care her mission

Mary Simisim established BlueWater Day Spa in 2005, and since then, her business has expanded to cater to a wider variety of guests, including expectant mothers who also deserve much-needed pampering during such a happy but demanding stage in their lives. By Maan D’Asis Pamaran Photography by Mark Chester Ang…