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The Philippine Star
January 15, 2007

It will be a star studded occasion at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangrila Hotel tonight as government officials, foreign dignitaries, celebrities, business honchos and Manila's Who's Who gather together for PEOPLE Asia's "People of the Year" Awards Night. No less than President Arroyo, herself a previous awardee, led the guests in last year's awards night. The 'People of the Year' Awards Night is the brainchild of the magazine's late chariman and publisher Max Soliven, who personally chose the awardees for the year 2006.

A highlight of the event will be a special tribute to Soliven through a video presentation, with his widow, ambassador Preciosa Soliven and daugther, STAR columnist Sara Soliven de Guzman in attendance. Now on its third year, PEOPLE Asia's "People of the Year" recognizes 17 awardees: the Mount Everest climbers Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata and Romi Garduce, Black Eyed Peas' Allan Pineda, Gawad Kalinga's Tony Meloto, billiards Hall of Famer Efren "Bata" Reyes, JG Summit's John Gokongwei Jr., Bianca Gonzalez, SM Inc.'s Tessie Sy-Coson, Mayor Marides Fernando, PAGCOR's Efraim Genuino, Illac Diaz, Camarines Sur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte, Universal Motors Corp.'s Richard Lee, San Miguel Corp.'s Ramon Ang, Air 21's Bert Lina and Instituto Cervantes' Jose Rodriguez.

Manny Pacquiao, whose convincing triumph over Erik Morales during the Las Vegas match last Nov. 18 was a cause for national celebration, will be given a special award. PEOPLE Asia will also confer the Exemplary Achievement Award to prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, top fashion designer Lulu Tan-Gan, broadcast icon Charo Santos-Concio of ABS-CBN and multi-awarded performer Regine Velasquez for their significant contribution in their chosen fields.

Actor Edu Manzano and broadcast journalist Karen Davila will host the event, with The Company and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra providing entertainment.

Filipinos are familiar with mountaineers Leo Oracion, Pastor Emata and Romi Garduce who made history as they conquered the top of the world. Black Eyed Peas' Allan Pineda is arguably the most popular Filipino performer in the world today, proudly singing his heart out on being a Filipino and releasing an album entirely in Tagalog. Another awardee, Bianca Gonzalez, the most celebrated TV personality of 2006, is also considered as an ambassador of the youth.

Efren "Bata" Reyes, inducted into the Hall of Fame by the Billiard Congress of America, is considered "the most lethal weapon in pool today" by international organizations like International Pool Tour.

Gawad Kalinga's Antonio Meloto, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Community Service, builds homes and better lives for the homeless.

Social entrepreneur Illac Diaz, who was recognized by Jaycees International as one of the Outstanding Persons of the World, is also making a difference especially in the lives of seafarers through his MyShelter Foundation.

Two of Mayor Marides Fernando's chief achievements last year included bagging the World Bank's Model Cities and World Health Organization's Healthy City Award for Marikina city. Camarines Sur Governor L-Ray Villafuerte is setting a benchmark in adventure tourism as he promotes his province as a world-class venue for extreme sports.

Efraim Genuino's vision in making the country a top destination for gaming and tourism is finally unfolding with the proposed PAGCOR City, a massive entertainment complex that will rival Macau's. San Miguel Corporation's Ramon Ang shows that big corporations have even bigger hearts through socially relevant projects, among them a proposed self-contained village that will provide a livable and peaceful environment to its residents.

Universal Motor Corporation's Richard Lee is advancing the automotive industry through his worthwhile projects while logistics master, Bert Lina of Air21, guarantees every Filipino that he deserves the most excellent service at all times.

Veteran journalist Jose Rodriguez, who has spent more than 25 years in the country and considers himself a true Filipino, continues to strengthen the ties that bind the Philippines and Spain by promoting Spanish language and culture in the country through the Instituto Cervantes of Manila, where he was recently appointed as director.

The "People of the Year" is truly a momentous event that gives recognition to extraordinary men and women who have touched the lives of others and whose stories serve as inspiration to others.

The star-studded People of the Year Awards Nights is co-presented by Nissan Patrol, Union Bank, ICTSI, PAGCOR and Air21. Also brought to you by Philippine STAR, philstar.cm and Joey@92.3.