BY JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ
PeopleAsia trains the spotlight on a league of extraordinary gentlemen and women who make up this year’s “People of the Year” 2021 list. Aside from their personal success in their respective fields, this year’s awardees are also being recognized for spreading hope, taking action and, most importantly, serving others.
“It is an extraordinary list in an extraordinary time. From public servants to physicians, power women to those who power our country, from guardians of the truth to stewards of clean energy, they are PeopleAsia’s ‘People of the Year’ 2021,” writes editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, shortly after the magazine unveiled its roster online yesterday.
Leading this year’s “People of the Year” list are two Special Awardees: Vice President Leni Robredo and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.
Robredo was cited for her continuous and effective relief operations in response to the Taal Volcano eruption in January, to the spread of COVID-19 since March and, later on, the onslaught of typhoons Rolly and Ulysses.
The VP described herself as a micromanager who is not content with simply giving orders and directions from the comfort of her office. “For me, leadership is really in doing the things that I can do myself. I’m not the kind of leader who’d be content with just reading reports and ordering people around. I want to do the dirty work myself, with the help of my staff,” she told Ramirez.
Meanwhile, Trade and Industry Secretary Lopez proved that lives and livelihood can, indeed, be preserved, even in the midst of a paralyzing pandemic. “The MSME sector is the backbone of the Philippine economy and comprises 99 percent of businesses in the country. As such, as we recover from the pandemic, instead of just adapting to the ‘new normal’, we should create a ‘better normal’,” said the Trade Chief, who led efforts in giving assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises at the height of the pandemic before gradually reopening the economy with the easing of quarantine restrictions.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto also graces one of the magazine’s four flip cover options, as this year’s “People’s Choice” awardee. The young mayor is being recognized after his unconventional response to the COVID-19 crisis (among other things) garnered positive feedback, both from Pasig City’s constituents and netizens from all over the Philippines. Despite being born to TV legends Vic Sotto and Coney Reyes, the handsome 30 year-old told PeopleAsia that he shies away from the spotlight and would rather keep a low profile.
Also making it on this year’s “People of the Year” double covers are Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero, who devotes his time in Congress to helping others; eco-warrior and PLDT Smart SVP and Group Controller Chaye Cabal-Revilla, whose Gabay Guro and Gabay Kalikasan advocacies have helped bring positive change; and I-FERN president and CEO Tommanny Tan, who helps more than 400,000 of his affiliates and their families enjoy greener pastures through the business opportunities he creates.
Joining them are Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla, whose province has effectively pared down its COVID-19 infection rate to a mere five percent of its peak numbers; and Philippine General Hospital director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi, who has introduced a number of innovations in the state-owned hospital, which was also designated as a COVID referral center by the Department of Health.
PeopleAsia also honored Pilipinas Shell president and CEO Cesar Romero, who advocates clean, renewable sources of energy for a greener future; and AC Energy president and CEO Eric Francia, whose firm seems set to generate as much as 5,000 megawatts of “clean energy” by 2025.
Rounding up this year’s roster is no less than The Philippine STAR editor-in-chief Amy Pamintuan, who grew up from the streets of Tondo to become one of the most respected and hard-hitting journalists today. “The best lesson journalism has taught me is that this profession is one of the best ways to change the world. When we were young, we wanted to change the world. This is one way to do that,” she says.
PeopleAsia’s “People of the Year” 2021 issue is now available in Lazada, as well as in select bookstores and newsstands nationwide. For more information, please send a message to PeopleAsia’s Facebook page.
