Before she passed on, the eternally stylish Imelda Ongsiako Cojuangco said of the Best Dressed Women of the Philippines: “The women chosen…are those who exemplify the qualities of a true lady—driven, humble and kindhearted.”
Such benevolent ladies will be feted at the Philippine Cancer Society’s (PCS) 14th Annual Awards Ball on September 27 at the Grand Ballroom of Shangri-La at The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. But first, they will be seen in glamorous portraits in an exhibit by the Camera Club of the Philippines on September 13 at The Gallery in Greenbelt 5.
The funds raised will benefit the PCS advocacies of cancer prevention and early detection, statistical research and focused patient services, as well as mobile clinic sessions for breast, cervical and prostate examinations.
The 2017 batch is composed of “Style Icons” socio-civic leader and Benedictine International School founding chairman Miladel Lourdes “Milo” R. Bondoc and Samar Gov. Sharee Ann Tan. The Best Dressed awardees are Anna Pashmina owner Annabel Uy-Braganza, Tengco Group Corp. Head Maria Victoria R. Tengco-Burgos, professional international stylist Yamani Caliwara, Fortune Bee Inc. owner Ruby Tan Chua, Skin 101 CEO and Medical Director Dr. Jennie Francisco-Diaz, Civil Defense Action Group Board of Trustees member and corporate secretary Veronica Ho, Exuviance by Ross CEO Rosemarie Tee Licup, sociocivic personality Nina Paula Vergara Ng, 186 Wilson Realty Inc. owner Brenda Ngo, Jaka Group of Cos. President and CEO Katrina Ponce Enrile, interior designer and Remax Philippines master franchise coowner Katz Montealegre-Santos, Mondejar Gallery Managing Director Minerva Mondejar Steiner, Status Hair Salon owner Robina Marie Ko-Tan and London College of Fashion alumna Jennifer Tieng.
The controversial Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin M. Andanar leads the 2017 PCS Men of Extraordinary Influence awardees. The honorees also include City of Dreams Manila property President Geoff Andres, TV personality Alejandro “Kim” Atienza, Cebu Landmasters Inc. Chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III, Megaworld Senior Vice President Kevin Tan, Phoenix Petroleum President and CEO Dennis Uy, CWC International Corp. President Fred Yuson and Sen. Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.
The event is chaired by Consul to Angola Helen Ong, with the selection and organizing committee composed of Jayelles’s Roselle Rebano, Mabel Abaño, Tanzania Consul Betty Chua, Roy Gonzales, Gambia Consul Agnes Huibonhoa, Mario Katigbak, Marian Ong, Sandie Poblador, Elaine Rojas Villar and adviser Johnny Litton.
Some of the Best Dressed Women awardees present at the media launch at the Crown Towers of City Dreams Manila were Licup, Francisco-Diaz, Tan Chua, Ngo, Bondoc, Uy-Braganza, Vergara Ng, Ho and Montealegre-Santos.
This year’s awardees, as Helen Ong attested, are “women of substance chosen out of the same mold: beauty, style and kind hearts. [They] are leading lives worthy of merit on the personal, professional and civic fronts.”
Image credits: The Camera Club of the Philippines