The Mumbai-based Miss Environmental International (MEI) will soon stage its third edition in the Philippines, aiming to amplify its platform for environmental awareness on a global scale.
Mutya ng Pilipinas 2024 Queens Anne Klein Castro, Christine Eds Enero, Liana Barrido, Alyssa Redondo and Stacey de Ocampo
Rushikesh Mirajkar, president of Miss Environmental International, officially announced a partnership with Mache Torres-Ackerman, a philanthropist, civic leader, and climate change advocate from the Philippines. This marks the first time Miss Environmental International will be hosted outside of India.
Women of Style & Substance Awardees Milka Romero, Katrina Blanca De Leon, Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, Samantha Panlilio, Alelee Aguilar-Andanar, Chelsea Manalo, Maxine Esteban, Pops Fernandez, Cynthia Carrion Norton, Judy Miranda Abalos and Lourdes Gutierrez Alfonso PHOTOS BY LORNA LLANES
“Ms. Ackerman was specially handpicked by our organization for her staunch commitment to the environment. It is our hope that, through her dynamic presence in Miss Environmental International, our pageant will reach its greatest potential as a relevant platform for environmental awareness globally,” Mirajkar said.
Ackerman, a respected Rotary leader, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.
David and Mache Ackerman
“It is with great pleasure that I accept this appointment as the official host of Miss Environmental International 2025. I believe that my advocacy for climate change, combined with the organization’s mission to transform beauty queens into global eco-warriors, validates my dream of promoting regenerative living on a sustainable planet,” Ackerman said.
(Standing from left) Marivel Carandang, Becky Garcia, Carmen Afzelius, Mitzie Piad, Ditas Rodriguez, Joyce Wong, Hazel Riguera, Ellen Choi and Ning Littaua, (seated from left) Mildred Vitangcol, Celine Bautista, Nini Licaros, Velia Cruz, Yves Mendoza and Robert Castaneda
The pageant is set to take place in June 2025 to commemorate the United Nations’ International Environmental Month. The highly anticipated event is expected to reflect the grandeur and style of Philippine pageantry, renowned worldwide for its spectacular presentations.
Nini Licaros, Yvet Mendoza, Robert Castaneda and Vella Cruz
***
PeopleAsia celebrated the achievements of exceptional women who have made a difference in their respective fields during the 19th “Women of Style and Substance” (WSS) Awards Night at the Grand Ballroom of the Bellevue Manila in Alabang.
Chef Jessie Sincioco and Hi Society
In a taped message, Philippine Ambassador to the United States and PeopleAsia publisher Jose Manuel Romualdez commended the awardees.”When it comes to politics and leadership, the Philippines is way ahead of the United States and other nations because we have had two women presidents,” Romualdez said.
Jose Paolo dela Cruz, Sara Soliven de Guzman and Joanne Rae Ramirez
Leading this year’s roster is Miss Universe Philippines Chelsea Anne Manalo, who shattered stereotypes and broke the mold as the first Black Filipino-American woman to represent the country at Miss Universe, set to take place this November in Mexico.
Z and Aivee Teo, Mayor Imelda Aguillar, Alelee, Alexa and Martin Andanar
Top business leaders were also recognized, including Lourdes Gutierrez-Alfonso, a certified public accountant and president of Megaworld Corp., and Rose Bosch-Ong, senior executive vice president and COO of Wilcon Depot.
Fred Yuson, Cory Quirino, Mache Ackerman and Rushi Mirajkar
They were joined by “Concert Queen” Pops Fernandez, who, after more than 40 years in show business, continues to draw huge crowds to her shows both locally and abroad, and Cynthia Carrion, president of the Philippine Gymnastics Association, who mentored and became a second mother to Filipino gymnast and two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
Patrick and wife Denice, Ryan Chan, and Rico Hizon
Other “Women of Style and Substance” honorees included:
Milka Romero of the 1-Pacman party-list and Samantha Panlilio of the Agimat party-list, both businesswomen and aspiring public servants; Alelee Aguilar-Andanar, entrepreneur and art advocate from Luxuri; World-class fencer and Olympian Maxine Esteban; Furniture designer and businesswoman Katrina De Leon of Genteel Home; Real estate mogul and philanthropist Judy Miranda Abalos of JD Diamond Properties and Holdings.
French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, Singaporean Ambassador Constance See, and Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh were also honored, alongside other awardees featured in PeopleAsia’s October-November 2024 issue.
Dressed in bold-colored evening gowns and set against event stylist Dave Sandoval’s “Secret Garden” backdrop, each awardee had her moment on stage as veteran broadcast journalist and master of ceremonies Rico Hizon, himself a PeopleAsia “Men Who Matter” awardee, introduced them one by one.
The well-heeled guests, who arrived in sophisticated black-and-white ensembles, were treated to a surprise performance by “Concert King” Martin Nievera, who postponed his trip to the US to serenade his ex-wife, Pops Fernandez.
kkkThe Supremes group, sometimes called Suprema, was formed three years ago by Celine Saldana Bautista, who recruited her friends as members. The group meets weekly to dine at various restaurants and celebrates members’ birthdays monthly, always at a new dining spot.
For November, the group honored celebrants Letty Hahn, Nini Licaros, Linda Guanzon, Yves Mendoza, Mildred Uy, Robert Castaneda, and Velia Cruz with a celebration at Pardon My French, featuring a steak and duck buffet at a reasonable price.
For these seniors, dining out is more than a social event — it’s a form of exercise and mental stimulation. They believe that engaging in conversation with friends helps maintain their cognitive function and physical strength.
Be the first to comment