BY POCH EULALIA
As Manila Bulletin celebrated its 124th anniversary, it took pride in presenting the first lineup of its Newsmakers of the Year awardees during a special ceremony held on Thursday, Feb. 15, at The Tent City, Manila Hotel.
“The Newsmakers are more than just their stories. They are also catalysts of change, embodiments of inspiration, and living testaments to the power of human potential,” said Manila Bulletin president Emilio C. Yap III during his opening remarks. These 10 individuals and organizations were honored for their remarkable initiatives, achievements, and success stories from the previous year. Their inspiring endeavors have empowered and captivated readers and viewers alike, both online and in print.
• Magdalena Gamayo, a master weaver of the inabel cloth, is known for her unique weaving techniques. She was conferred with the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan (GAMABA) award in 2012 and recognized as a National Living Treasure. Gamayo celebrated her 99th birthday on Aug. 13, 2023, making her the oldest living GAMABA awardee.
• Expedock, a game-changer in the global supply industry, is an AI-powered supply chain startup that aims to automate the international freight industry. Its founders King Alandy Dy, Rui Aguiar, Jeff Tan, and Jig Young were included in the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 list under the industry, manufacturing, and energy category.
• SariSuki, established by Brian Cu, Philippe Lorenzo, Bam Mejia, and Angelo Loo in 2021, is a virtual grocery store that purchases directly from farmers, enabling sustainable opportunities for community sellers. It partnered with AIR21 in 2023 to bring fresh produce from farmers in the province to community sellers in the metro.
• Jeremy De Leon, through his invention of a keychain microscope known as the Make-roscope, has provided users easy access to the microscopic world. His invention allows cameras on smartphones and tablets to magnify objects up to 400 times.The Make-roscope represented the Philippines in the international round of the 2023 James Dyson Award and was awarded as the national champion.
• Kindred, a pioneering FemTech startup founded in 2022 by Jessica de Mesa and Abetina Valenzuela, is known for its dedication to improving women’s healthcare. It was included in the Forbes Asia 100 to Watch 2023 list. It also successfully secured $1 million in seed funding just after a year of operations.
• Kathryn Bernardo, hailed by her generation as the “Box Office Queen,” is the first and only Filipina actress to reach the ₱800 million mark for her top-grossing films. Last year, she was named Outstanding Asian Star at the 18th Seoul International Drama Awards for the TV series 2 Good 2 Be True, making her the second Filipina actress to win the award.
• Tagbilaran City, together with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, launched the Paleng-QR Ph program in January 2023. The program aims to build a nationwide digital payments ecosystem by promoting cashless QR payments in public markets and local transportation. The program’s rollout was widely accepted by merchants and transport groups in the city's Dao Public Market.
• Gilas Pilipinas, under the guidance of coach Tim Cone, helped bring a 61-year gold medal drought to an end by defeating the Jordanian team and bagging the win in men's basketball at the 19th Asian Games.
• Aboitiz Equity Ventures’ and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc's (CCEP) joint acquisition of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) in a $1.8 billion deal made it one of the country’s biggest corporate takeovers in 2023.
• Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s efforts in transforming Quezon City into an environmental trailblazer earned her the distinction of becoming the first Filipino to be recognized as a “Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations Environment Program, the UN’s highest environmental honor.
The Manila Bulletin Newsmakers of the Year Awards was co-presented by International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), GCash, SM Development Corporation, and The Medical City. This event was also supported by its major partner SM Supermalls. Each awardee was presented with a uniquely crafted trophy made from an upcycled metal printing plate, an integral item in the newspaper printing process. The printing plate, rolled up and affixed on a wooden block, represents a medium that continues to be relevant and resilient in the digital era.
