Whether through building modern cities, spurring the digital age, creating business or ensuring national security, PeopleAsia’s “Men Who Matter” 2021 awardees are shaping the future.
On one of the magazine’s flip covers is Vince Dizon, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), presidential adviser for flagship programs and projects and deputy chief implementer of the country’s National Action Plan Against COVID-19.
Under his watch, the BCDA has remitted around P17.8 billion to the national government in the last four years — the highest remittance of any administration, which roughly translates to 37 percent of the institution’s total remittances in the past 29 years. Dizon and his team are also credited for building world-class structures in Clark, the latest of which is the Clark International Airport New Passenger Terminal, which will triple Clark International Airport’s capacity to 12.2 million passengers per annum.
Aside from steel and concrete structures, Dizon has also been creating structure in the nation’s fight against the pandemic. From one testing laboratory in 2020, the country now has more than 250. Around 10 million tests have also been conducted as of the first quarter of 2021.
Another public servant on the list is Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who leads the country’s fight against insurgency, terrorism and territorial disputes. Aside from playing a crucial role in modernizing the AFP, Lorenzana is also a key figure in protecting the country’s assets in the West Philippine Sea. “We’re modernizing, not just our military equipment. We are also recruiting and training our men and women to use these new tools and new technologies, learn best practices and include in their arsenal the proper use of social media,” says the defense chief.
Also being recognized is Ang Probinsyano partylist Rep. Ronnie Ong, a legislator who joined the frontlines by immediately providing free transportation, purchasing surplus vegetables from local farmers and implementing a slew of other projects for students, senior citizens and even animal welfare, at the height of the pandemic.
Business leaders who matter
PeopleAsia’s “Men Who Matter” 2021 list also trains the spotlight on business leaders who quickly pivoted in the time of the new normal.
Among them are Smart Communications president and CEO and PLDT chief revenue officer and CEO Al S. Panlilio, who ushered in a banner year for the telco giant in 2020. In an exclusive interview with PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, the former semi-professional cager reveals that “A lot of the learnings that I’ve acquired in sports, I’ve applied in corporate life. Because you can’t run a company alone. You can’t win a basketball game alone, even if you’re the best player in the world.”
Also on the list is Sun Life Philippines CEO and country head Benedict Sison, whose company continues to lead the industry for the 10th consecutive year with P 39.3 billion in premium income.
Jonathan So, president and CEO of JC—the company behind the highly coveted franchise Siomai King, as well as the recently launched transport logistics provider toktok and online shopping platform toktok Mall, to name a few, is also on this year’s list. The businessman shares his journey from being a working student at the De La Salle College of St. Benilde, to heading his own highly diversified company.
JC co-founder and CFO Carlito Macadangdang is also being recognized for his role in not just establishing the highly successful business, but also his effective fiscal strategies that contribute to its sound and aggressive growth.
PeopleAsia also recognizes Dennis Anthony Uy, CEO and co-founder of fixed broadband operator Converge ICT Solutions, which is poised to end 2021 with 1.6 to 1.7 million subscribers under its belt.
Also on this year’s list is Lorenzo Rellosa, president and CEO of Telepreneur Corp. and Lueur Lauren International Corp. From being a former OFW and tricycle driver, this businessman now provides business opportunities to millions of direct sellers worldwide.
Storytellers who matter
Veteran journalist Roby Alampay is also one of PeopleAsia’s “Men Who Matter” Awardees. Prior to founding his own independent media outlet PumaPodcast, Alampay was the former editor-in-chief of BusinessWorld and a director for the Bangkok-based Southeast Asian Press Alliance. These days, he brings the important stories on television as anchor and host for The Big Story and The Chiefs.
Completing this year’s roster are twins Miguel Benjamin and Paolo Benjamin Guico, who started out in 2016 as the duo “The Benjamins.” The two are now lead vocalists of a nine-member band called Ben&Ben, which has continuously risen to the top of the Philippine music industry with hits such as “Kathang Isip,” which has raked in 157 million hits on Spotify as of May 2021.
PeopleAsia’s “Men Who Matter” awardees are featured in the magazine’s June-July 2021 issue, now available in Lazada and to be distributed in select newsstands by June 15.
