PeopleAsia made its triumphant return to the red carpet as it staged its “People of the Year 2022” Awards Night last Monday at the Taft Ballroom of Conrad Manila. Attended by some of the country’s most inspiring luminaries, the ceremony is the magazine’s first in-person event since the pandemic began.
By Alex Y. Vergara
Seven hundred seventy-four days! Yes, it has been that long since PeopleAsia magazine’s last in-person “People of the Year” awards, before the pandemic upended everyone’s lives in early 2020.
And what an event it was, as the country’s premier lifestyle glossy honored 14 leaders, achievers and newsmakers in their respective fields during the past year, including Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, Sen. Joel Villanueva, businessman Dennis Anthony Uy and journalist, humanitarian and animal welfare activist Korina Sanchez-Roxas, during its annual People of the Year awards held Monday evening at the Conrad Manila’s Taft Ballroom.
Completing this year’s roster of esteemed awardees are actor John Arcilla, Dr. Regina Berba, boxers Eumir Marcial and Nesthy Petecio, Michael G. Tan, Camarines Sur Gov. Migz Villafuerte, Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar and Frontrow and Frontrow Cares’ RS Francisco and Sam Versoza.
Philippine Ambassador to the US and PeopleAsia president, publisher and chief executive on leave Jose Manuel Romualdez, in a videotaped message from his Washington DC office, said: “Despite all the challenges, we are pleased to hold the first in-person event since the pandemic started.”
Now that the worse seems to be behind us, many saw that it was only fitting that the People of the Year awards re-opened Manila’s social scene with last night’s glittery, albeit scaled-down in-person edition consisting of not more than 100 guests.
But countless viewers from all over the world were able to watch the live two-and-a-half-hour show within the comforts of their homes and offices, as the entire event was streamed live on Facebook.
“My speech will be as brief as the past 774 days were long,” said PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, who glided effortlessly in a turquoise ballgown by Michael Leyva, during her speech.
“Despite the pandemic, it was always a question of when, not if, tonight would become a reality. Thanks to the Almighty and to you who have given us your unwavering support, tonight has become a new spring,” Ramirez added, alluding partly to event stylist Dave Sandoval’s dreamy garden setup consisting mainly of huge white and pastel-colored Ecuadorean roses adorning a series of canopies made of ficus arrangements.
For his part, Romualdez added, “This hybrid event clearly proves that the magazine is able to keep pace with the changing times…All the honorees tonight are extraordinary individuals who shine and excel in their respective professions and field of expertise.”
Except for Olympians Diaz, Marcial and Petecio, as well as Venice Best Actor winner Arcilla and Ressa, who each sent pre-recorded acceptance speeches prior to the show, all the awardees were present to accept their respective awards.
“Clarity of vision keeps us confident in fulfilling our purpose in life, especially in making a difference and being a channel of God’s blessings to others,” said Villanueva, who shared how COVID-19 claimed the lives of his mother and sister within less than two months. “Again, this award is very special to me…I know that my mom and my sister in heaven are so proud of me. This is for them.”
For her part, Sanchez-Roxas paid tribute to each of her fellow awardees by briefly citing their respective contributions, achievements and the sacrifices they’ve been through in the pursuit of their dreams and, in the case of fellow journalist Ressa, the likelihood of “incarceration” for standing up for “what is true and good.”
“Yeah, I’m still wondering what I’m doing here,” Sanchez-Roxas said. “But if this award is about simply honoring people like me who try to do the best they can for whatever limited time they can in this life…then I accept and claim this award.”
Ressa, in a videotaped message shot in the US where she’s currently testifying in hearings being held in the US Senate as well as in Canada’s House of Commons, said: “I really want to say thank you so much for recognizing what we do as journalists. But more than that, I think the people of the year in the Philippines are Filipinos! This is the year when we will decide not just our future, but also, in many ways, our past…Don’t forget to vote.”
Moreno, like Villafuerte, shared his award with the countless frontliners and public servants who continued to work and risk their lives to keep Manila running amidst the chaos and confusion during the pandemic’s initial phase. He also encouraged Filipinos to persevere and always remain hopeful.
“Lahat ng aberya, inabot natin bilang bansa, bilang Filipino, bilang mamayan,” the mayor and presidential contender said. “I don’t think kaya pa tayong gapiin. Mananalo tayo! Mananalo tayo sa lahat ng pagsubok na kakaharapin natin. Laging may awa ang Diyos.”
The show was emceed by Bianca Valerio, with singers Jasmine Fitzgerald and Markki Stroem providing the evening’s entertainment.
PeopleAsia’s People of the Year 2022 awards night is brought to you by Conrad Manila, United Coconut Planters Life Assurance Corp. (Cocolife), Converge ICT Solutions Inc., MG Philippines, Meralco, AllDay Supermarket, Fredley Group of Companies, Pilipinas Shell, Center for Advanced Dentistry, HSBC Philippines, Ayala Corporation, Galerie Joaquin, Keman’s Expert Skincare : Your way to better skin, Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, Oman Air and The Philippine Star.
