Best Magazine

 Honoring men, women, and members of the Rainbow Pride

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

A new batch of honorees were bestowed various accolades at the recently concluded 7th Outstanding Men & Women of the Philippines and the 1st Outstanding LGBTQIA+ of the Philippines Awards at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Some of the outstanding men and women of 2023 included Manila vice-mayor Yul Servo, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, beauty queen Jesusa Villanueva, pageant meister Rodgil Flores, actors Pilar Pilapil and Marietta Subong (aka Pokwang), chanteuse Gigi de Lana and Faith Cuneta.

Also honored were the first batch of Pride awardees that included talk show host Boy Abunda, singer Sheryn Regis, Drag Race Philippines Season 1 winner Precious Paula Nicole, show host Boobay, classical performer Seffy Francisco, director Fifth Solomon, singer-songwriter Ice Seguerra, comedienne Inday Garutay, PR mavens Chris Cahilig, Aldwin Salvatus, and Ricci Ang, fashion designers Oskar Peralta and Justine Aliman, TV executive Jojo Nones, talent manager Melvin Tagulao, entrepreneur Joel Cruz, and media persons Jojo Panaligan, John Fontanilla, and Demi Braque.

One of the distinguished honors for the evening was the Gawad Rosa Rosal Legacy Award.

"I feel so happy and joyful in accepting this award. I know I have big shoes to fill. We are talking of a living legend, in the person of Ms. Rosa Rosal. One can't easily follow her lead. People who have the heart to readily help, like her, is hard to find. So much so that she did it for a long time.

"I was challenged, and at the same time inspired, to extend help to the needy all the more; not just here in the National Capital Region, but the rest of the country. And to make sure our recipients won't be defrauded with the financial help we give to them. In turn, we seek help from the Almighty who provides for us all. We don't discriminate, too, as we help all kinds of problems brought to our attention.

"The will to help is innate with our family. So we always pray for good returns from our business undertakings. To date, we have 180 employees under our care and all of them have family members that receive scholarship grants. Charity truly begins at home. Though it was challenging to extend help during the pandemic because of mobility restrictions.

"I know next year's recipient will be equally deserving and also face challenges, like me. But everything becomes lighter when you extend help and charity on a daily basis. Because even if you're blessed to give, when you give, it is through happiness and true love," enthused Ma. Cecilia Bravo, the first recipient of the Rosa Rosal Legacy Award. Madame Bravo received her award from Ms. Rosal's grandson, William Thio, who was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement honors.

The others recipients of the Outstanding Men & Women Lifetime Achievement Awards included Dr. Joseph Lee, GMA-7 executive Joey Abacan, entrepreneur Raoul Barbosa, talent manager Wilbert Tolentino, Dr. Robert Walcher III, Joee Guillas, beauty queen Faye Tangonan, and public defender Dr. Persidia Acosta.

"I was born to serve the defenseless. In my 22 years of serving our kababayans as chief public attorney, I did it with a willing heart. Priceless accolades are not those visible with the eyes but the men and women who are the beneficiaries of this noteworthy undertaking," intoned Dr. Acosta, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Service.

Actress Bea Binene was named Star of the Night while reigning Miss World Philippines Gwen Furniol, actress Ara Mina, fashion director Raymond Villanueva, Ray Cimafranca, actors Wil Ashley and David Chua, as well as drag queen Precious Paula Nicole and designer Justine Aliman were given Best Dressed Honors.

Aliw Broadcasting Corp., (AM and FM stations), NET 25 (for programs Mata ng Agila, Magandang Araw, and Open for Business), Carmen's Concoctions, Dasom, SMNI network, Thiocell, Dog Spa Hotel, Alabaster perfume, and GMA Sparkle Artist Management were chosen as brands of the year. Moreover, Sunsmart Technologies, Andrew Badiola barong de callado, Intelle, and hotel Sogo chain were proclaimed Tourism Circle Award recipients.

The Outstanding Youth awardees for the year were Aidan Veneracion, James Graham, Althea Ablan, Antonio Vinzon, Elijah Alejo, Jeff Moses, John Clifford Gawchua, Keisha Serna, Kelvin Miranda, Lei Angela, Liana Castillo, Matthew Uy, Patricia Coma, Princess Aliyah, Zyren. Dela Cruz, Bryce Eusebio, Gaea Mischa, and Wil Ashley.

This year's beneficiaries of Best Magazine's outreach projects were standup comic Racing Chat,  Carmelites Children's Center, and the Riverside community of Dapitan. Next year's awarding ceremony promises to be bigger and brighter with new grounds to cover.