No solo acts here! PeopleAsia’s “Women of Style & Substance” awardees shine, not just because they’re successful, but because they’ve helped many others succeed as well.
PeopleAsia recently feted women who bloom with their inimitable style and unparalleled substance at the 19th “Women of Style and Substance” (WSS) Awards Night at the Grand Ballroom of the Bellevue Manila Hotel in Alabang.
PeopleAsia director Sara Soliven De Guzman (Left) and editor-in-chief Joanne Rae M. Ramirez (far right) with “Women of Style & Substance” Awardees Milka Romero, Katrina Blanca De Leon, Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Samantha Panlilio, Alelee Aguilar-Andanar, Chelsea Manalo, Maxine Esteban, Pops Fernandez, Lourdes Alfonso Gutierrez, Cynthia Carrion Norton and Judy Miranda Abalos/ Photo by Renjie Tolentino
In a taped message, Philippine Ambassador to the United States and PeopleAsia publisher (on leave) Jose Manuel Romualdez commended the awardees, saying that “when it comes to politics and leadership, the Philippines is way ahead of the United States and other nations because we have had two women presidents.”
Dressed in a sophisticated number by designer Ryan Ablaza Uson (RAU), editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, on the other hand, celebrated the women’s “shared successes.” In her speech, Ramirez, who celebrates her 25th year as the magazine’s editor, said: “Our awardees’ triumphs are shared triumphs. Their work is a stepping stone not just to their own success, but to other people’s success,” she said.
Breaking the mold
Leading this year’s roster is Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Anne Manalo, who has shattered stereotypes and broken the mold for being the first black Filipino-American woman to represent the country at Miss Universe, which will happen this November in Mexico.
Top business leaders such as Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, a certified public accountant and president of Megaworld Corp.; and Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, senior executive vice president and COO of Wilcon Depot, were also honored.
They were joined by “Concert Queen” Pops Fernandez, who, after more than 40 years in show business, continues pack in huge crowds to her shows here and abroad; and Cynthia Carrion Norton, who as president of the Philippine Gymnastics Association, mentored and acted like a second mother to Filipino gymnast and double Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
Also feted were “Women of Style and Substance” awardees such as businesswomen and aspiring public servants Milka Romero of 1-Pacman party-list and Samantha Panlilio of Agimat party-list; entrepreneur and art advocate Alelee Aguilar-Andanar of Luxuri; and world-class fencer and Olympian Maxine Esteban.
Also making it to this year’s list are furniture designer and businesswoman Katrina De Leon of genteelhome; and real estate maven and philanthropist Judy Miranda Abalos of JD Diamond Properties and Holdings.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Singaporean Ambassador Constance See and Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh were also honored alongside other awardees on the pages of PeopleAsia’s October-November 2024 issue.
Dressed in bold-colored evening gowns – and with event stylist Dave Sandoval’s Secret Garden as their backdrop – each awardee had her moment on stage as veteran broadcast journalist and master of ceremonies Rico Hizon, himself a PeopleAsia “Men Who Matter” awardee, introduced them one after the other.
Surprise number
The well-heeled guests, who came in sophisticated black and white ensembles, were also treated to a surprise number by no other than “Concert King” Martin Nievera, who postponed his trip to the US to serenade his former wife, Pops.
PeopleAsia’s “Women of Style and Substance” 2024 was staged in cooperation with The Bellevue Manila, Singapore Airlines, HSBC Philippines, Pili Ani, genteelhome, Aptos and Lift Aesthetic Center, Globalport Terminals Inc., Toyota Motor Philippines, San Miguel Corp., The Aivee Clinic, Spotlight Cosmetics, FuTECH Innovations, Philippine Wine Merchants and the Philippine STAR. — BY ALEX Y. VERGARA and JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ / Photography by RENJIE TOLENTINO & HARTMAN COMMUNICATIONS
