Philippines' Empowered Men And Women Of The Year

 Of empowered men & women and life-saving advocacy

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Best Magazine, in celebration of its fifth year anniversary, honored successful men and women from different walks of life at the Teatrino, Greenhills recently.

This year's recipients of the Philippines' Empowered Men and Women of the Year not only lead inspiring lives and successful professions, but are also servant-leaders in their respective communities and places of work.

This year's batch of awardees included PAO head Atty. Persida Rueda Acosta, Bulacan City mayor Vergel Meneses, Miss Supranational 2012 3rd runner-up Elaine Kay Moll, TV show host John Nite, singer-theater actress Dulce, fashion designer Dong Omaga Diaz, Miss Philippines Fire 2021 Roni Meneses, Maj. Aris Villaester, The Voice Kids 2015 runner-up Reynan Dal-anay, X-Factor Season 14 wildcard Alisah Bonaobra, cosmetic surgeons Dr. Conrada Apostol and Dr. Melanie Veneracion, skin care advocate Prince Jeffrey Hernandez, party list representative Cong. Nina Taduran, entrepreneur Jane Jarencio, publicist Mell Navarro, chanteuse Gabriella, character actresses Lovely Rivero, Tanya Gomez, Gwen Garcia, and Liz Alindogan, Dr. Joseph Lee, as well as hall-of-fame recipient Raoul Barbosa, among others.

Obra ni Juan was named Apparel Brand of the Year while PTV-4's Rise & Shine Pilipinas was cited Morning Show of the Year. Several other labels were also recognized as Social Media Best Brands of the Year (2021). These included NET-25, CCM Productions, MJ Skin Care, Genesis Organics Spirulina, and The Chandelier.

Dr. Joseph Lee and Marc Cubales were named Best Dressed Gentlemen of the Evening, while the Best Dressed Women of the Night were Ginevive Antigua Louw, Dr. Melanie Veneracion, former Viva Hot Babe Gwen Garcia, and Model Mom World 2022 advocacy queen Cecile Bravo.

"I've always helped people in need, especially in times of calamity. Typhoon victims usually get in touch with me through social media. My family members and our office staff all help in preparing food and medicine packs that will be ready for distribution," shared Madame Cecile Bravo.

"I learned to be charitable from my grandmother and my mother, Hazel Amante Tria. Growing up, I saw their kindness to other people and I found myself emulating them. I also imbibed the 'pay it forward' mindset. My family also went through reversals of fortune so you could say we've gone through both ends of the spectrum to understand life much better," she continued.

"When recipients and donees give us thanks and tell me, 'God bless you,' I feel doubly blessed. The pandemic has taught me to be always ready as it showed us the uncertainty of life. Let your loved ones know how much you love them before it's too late. In our forthcoming outreach projects, we will be supporting families of cancer patients. This people go through a lot taking care of their sick loved ones," Madame Bravo said at the close of our colloquy.

The 5th annual awarding ceremonies of the Philippines' Empowered Men and Women of the Year also coincided with the awarding rites held in Japan for outstanding career-driven Filipinos in the Land of the Rising Sun. The recipient of the awardees' outreach project is a 73-year-old patient, Crescencia Gulayangan, of Iloilo City who has been suffering a long-term chronic condition.