People of the Year

PEOPLE OF THE YEAR – Congratulations to the 15 People of the Year awardees, given yearly by “People Asia” magazine.

Five of the awardees this columnist know personally… and admires and looks up to.

One-by-one now:

1. Celia Diaz Laurel – beautiful, charming, intelligent, cultured, educated (Assumption, UP, Yale). Had her husband, the late Vice President Doy Laurel, served as President, CDL would have been a perfect First Lady. But then as they say, “Man proposes, but God disposes.”

2. Christopher de Leon – veteran actor, multi-awardee. In his latest film, Baby R. Nebrida’s “Across the Crescent Moon,” Boyet realizes the dream to, at long last, portray a Muslim, husband to Sandy Andolong and father to Matteo Guidicelli.

3. Regine Velasquez – Asia’s songbird, ideal wife to Ogie Alcasid and mother to Nate.

4. John Lloyd Cruz – box-office star, versatile actor. Think of his roles in Lav Diaz’s “Hele” and “Ang Babaeng Humayo.”

5. Tony Tuviera – the man behind the longest-running noontime variety show, “Eat Bulaga” on GMA. Admired, loved, and respected for his kindness and humility.

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NEEDLESS TO SAY – The other People of the Year awardees are, needless to say, just as deserving.

Andrew Tan – owner of Emperador brandy, which acquired Spain’s Fundador and Mexico’s Presidente.

Edgar “Injap” Sia II – of “Mang Inasal” fastfood fame.

Preciosa Soliven – educator (OB Montessori) and former UNESCO ambassador.

Kylie Versoza – reigning Miss International.

Hidilyn Diaz – Olypics silver medalist (weightlifting).

Ces Oreña-Drilon – veteran newscaster (ABS-CBN), recipient of several awards.

Dr. Z Teo – beauty expert.

Dr. Henry Lim Bon Lion – his company helped the rice industry.

Joy Belmonte – incumbent Quezon City vice mayor (on her third term).

Alice Eduardo – construction magnate, billed as “Woman of Steel.”