PeopleAsia “seizes the dream” as it honors People of the Year 2024 awardees
By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ / Photos by Renjie Tolentino
PeopleAsia celebrated achievers who seized their dreams at the “People of the Year” Awards Night at the Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams Manila. Attended by top diplomats, business leaders and society figures, the star-studded event also marked the magazine’s 24th anniversary.
PeopleAsia recently honored its “People of the Year” 2024 awardees at the City of Dreams Manila. (In photo) publisher (on leave) Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez (center) with PeopleAsia director Sara Soliven de Guzman, “Airline of the Year” Singapore Airlines’ Li Wei Tai and “People of the Year” awardees Grab Philippines’ Grace Vera Cruz, designer Puey Quiñones, Shell Pilipinas‘ Lorelie Osial, beauty queen Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, Lifetime Achievement Awardee Alice Eduardo, Consul Fortune Ledesma, Coach Tim Cone, GT Capital’s Alfred V. Ty, lawyer Albert Arcilla, RCBC’s Eugene S. Acevedo and PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez. Watch the full show here.
Leading this year’s esteemed roster of awardees are Miss Universe 2016 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey and “Lifetime Achievement Awardee” construction magnate Alice Eduardo of Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp. — both of whom graced the cover of the magazine’s anniversary issue last December.
“Beyond the structure lies the purpose of why I dream and achieve. We do not build highways and bridges just to move bodies of people, but to move hearts towards collective development. This award is not just a personal accolade, but a celebration of the efforts of the entire community.” — Sta. Elena Development and Construction Corp. president and CEO Alice Eduardo
“I remember one of my first-ever covers after winning Miss Universe was with PeopleAsia, we shot it in New York, and kilig na kilig ako, because of course at that time, winning Miss Universe was a dream but I would never ever land a cover before… It’s been nine years, but as you all know, the work never stops!” — Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, who announced she is auctioning off her Miss Universe memorabilia to build a Youth Center in Metro Manila.
Philippine Ambassador to the US and PeopleAsia president, publisher and CEO (on leave) Jose Manuel Romualdez sent a heartfelt video message instead to the awardees. “I would like to commend all the awardees, many of them captains of industry, for their excellent efforts in helping transform our economy and putting the Philippines on the radar of the international community,” said the ambassador who went to the after-event cocktails, as soon as his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up.
“People of the Year” awardee Pia Wurtzbach Jauncey with (from left) PeopleAsia managing editor Jose Paolo dela Cruz, City of Dreams property president Geoff Andres and PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez
PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez, looking regal in her Puey Quiñones number, also welcomed esteemed guests and awardees and reminded everyone that “Dreams do come true, yes — but you must be wide awake to seize them. So, don’t just seize the day — go seize your dream.”
“Seize the dream!” — PeopleAsia editor-in-chief Joanne Rae Ramirez
Also present to receive their awards were Toyota Motors Philippines chairman Alfred Ty, lawyer and businessman Atty. Albert Arcilla, Gilas Pilipinas Head Coach Tim Cone, philanthropist Fortune Ledesma, and fashion designer Puey Quiñones.
“First of all, my deep appreciation to Ms. Joanne Ramirez, editor-in-chief, Ambassador Babe Romualdez, publisher-at-large, for organizing this worthwhile project, in bringing to light and recognizing exemplary individuals to serve as an inspiration to the greater majority… My takeaway to all of you starting out, work-family balance is the key to real success. — GT Capital vice chairman Alfred Ty, who even said “I love you,” to his supportive wife Cherry, who was seated on front row.
“I’m hoping that this award and the fact that we did win a gold medal in the Asian Games will springboard the national team into further success as we go forward. And this is where it all starts right here.” — Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone
“I’d like to thank all my enablers. Ambassador Romualdez was also one of my mentors when I was starting and he has given me a lot of advice in everything that I was doing. I would like to thank all the brands that I also was part of for the past 30 years in the automotive industry and even in the government sector where I was early part of.” — Volvo Philippines president and CEO Atty. Albert Arcilla
“I can only look back with utter gratitude for a beautiful life which has been marked by every turn by service and joy. It has not only inspired me to continue on this path, but confirmed and strengthened my conviction, that a life led in service for others and country is indeed a life of meaning and joy. Hopefully, it sheds a spotlight in the advocacy that I serve so that many generous souls can support them.” — Monaco Consul General Fortune Ledesma
“My path has been far from easy. Coming from a very small town in Northern Samar, it has been a rollercoaster ride filled with ups and downs. As a fashion designer without formal education and training, this award holds special significance for me. It proves that with determination, hard work and a little bit of luck, dreams can indeed come true”. — Fashion designer Puey Quiñones
Top executives such as Rizal Commercial Banking Corp president and CEO Eugene Acevedo, Grab Philippines’ country head Grace Vera Cruz and Shell Pilipinas Corp.’s first female president and CEO Lorelie Quiambao-Osial also received their awards. Singapore Airlines was also honored as “Airline of the Year” for the second year in a row.
“So as I stand here tonight, I am very much inspired and encouraged by the other winners but also to all the people that made it happen and for me it is God and my family. I mean, big thanks – they energize me, they fuel my hope and they keep me grounded too. I think we should all together keep pushing the boundaries, fostering innovation, and work together to establish a sustainable and inclusive future.” — Shell Pilipinas Corp. president and CEO Lorelie Quiambao Osial
“I am proud to be part of a country that alleviates unemployment and has a multiplier effect on the economy. I’m so proud to be working alongside men and women who really commit to our mission, which is to empower our everyday entrepreneurs. I’m inspired to lift as we rise, especially as we celebrate Women’s Month this month.” — Grab Philippines country head Grace Vera Cruz
“My grade school classmates are still so kilig about this award. But truly, I humbly accept this award on behalf of my RCBC colleagues, especially the ones who manned the branches during the pandemic. They are the ones who deserve this. Not me. All 6,400 of them. So on behalf of my colleagues, PeopleAsia, thank you very much.“ — Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. president and CEO Eugene S. Acevedo
“Airline of the Year” Singapore Airlines, represented by country general manager Li Wei Tai with features editor Alex Vergara
Attended by top diplomats, businessmen, and Manila’s crème dela crème, the show was hosted by Issa Litton, while champion singer Jed Madela and the Marcy David Band wowed the audience with their musical numbers. With the covers of PeopleAsia’s POY issue since 2004 flashing on a giant screen behind her, singer Michelle Ayalde also opened the night with Barbra Streisand’s iconic hit, “People.”
PeopleAsia’s “People of the Year” 2024 Awards Night was brought to you by City of Dreams Manila, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Grab Philippines, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corp., Converge ICT, Active Group of Companies, Meralco, San Miguel Corp., Megaworld Corp., DiaGold, Aboitiz, Department of Budget and Management, Pili Ani, Ralph’s Wines & Spirits and The Philippine STAR.
