People of the Year Archives

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…

EJ Obiena: Golden Boy

BY JOYCE REYES-AGUILA As he sets his sights on Paris 2024, the world’s Number 2 pole vaulter, who recently cinched the Philippines’ first gold medal for the sport at the 19th Asian Games last September, inspires not just a new generation of athletes, but an entire nation. People. of the…

Rachelle Ann Go: Outstanding & Spectacular

BY BÜM D. TENORIO JR. The adjectives “outstanding” and “spectacular” exist in the domain of Rachelle Ann Go. The same words were used by theater aficionados to describe her performance at the recently concluded Manila-run of Hamilton, where she essayed with fervor and power the role of Elizabeth “Eliza” Hamilton.…

Eugene S. Acevedo: The Consummate Banker

BY JOYCE REYES-AGUILA A trained physicist, the president and CEO of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., altered the course of his career from science and the academe to the corporate world, specifically banking, after taking his MBA. Four years at the helm of RCBC, he has steered the bank to become,…

Tim Cone: Golden G.O.A.T

BY JOHN BRYAN ULANDAY From dozens of PBA cups to a recent gold at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, the Philippines’ winningest basketball coach continues to prove that he is one of the country’s G.O.A.Ts (Greatest of All Time) — without even having to claim it. People of the…

Rep. Camille Villar: Stop, look & lead the way

BY IVY LISA F. MENDOZA The 38-year-old lawmaker and mother of two need not reinvent the wheel to come up with the most complicated or the most impactful of laws. She says she simply has to look around, interact with people on a more personal level and understand the unique…

The obedient Albert Arcilla

BY BÜM D. TENORIO JR. If lawyer and businessman Albert Arcilla’s life were a ride, it would be a chill drive — a journey on a road paved with obedience, faith and the pursuit of happiness. People of the Year 2024 awardee Atty. Albert Arcilla Obedience opens opportunities. The present…

Consul General Fortune Ledesma: Fortune Favors the Bold

BY ALEX Y. VERGARA Ever pleasant and lovely, this leading society figure and philanthropist has a rare ability to draw people in and make them feel at ease. She boldly parlays this gift in almost everything she does, including her work as a diplomat, civic leader and event organizer. On…

Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey: Queen of the Multiverse

BY ALEX Y. VERGARA Her reign may long be over, but the country’s third Miss Universe keeps on surprising her fans and compatriots, and even sometimes herself. Her career as a global influencer and celebrity endorser has taken several twists and turns, including her decision to take a stab at…

Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman: Honestly speaking

BY JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ According to various sources, the name Amenah means “faithful, truthful or honest.” In the case of the Philippines’ Budget and Management chief, the name could also mean hard-working, sincere and determined — not to mention, fun. People of the Year 2024 awardee Secretary Amenah…