Press Release
January 20, 2012

ANGARA AWARDED AS ONE OF YEAR'S TOP PERSONALITIES

Senator Edgardo J. Angara was recognized as one of PeopleAsia's "People of the Year" during celebrations held for the magazine's 12th anniversary last night, Jan. 19, at the Dusit Thani hotel.

Dubbed the "eternal solon" for being the longest-serving senator in the post-EDSA Revolution legislature, Angara was recognized for authoring such landmark bills as the Free High School Act, the Philhealth Act, the Senior Citizens Act, and the measures establishing the National Museum and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

"This initiative of PeopleAsia is really fantastic, in that there's a group of people who try to bring to the public's attention some politicians who are worthy of notice. So for me, this is a rare accolade," said Angara.

"I hope the example set by PeopleAsia will become the bar for the rest of media, so that the public is not always bombarded with controversy," he remarked.

When asked to whom the veteran lawmaker would like to offer the award, Angara named his family whom he described as his inspiration. His wife Gloria Manalang Angara, daughter Alex Angara, daughter-in-law Tootsy Echauz-Angara, and sister Aurora Gov. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo joined him at the awards night.

Other awardees include Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago; Henry Sy, Jr., chairman and CEO of SM Development Corp.; National Artist Ben Cabrera; noted composer Louie Ocampo; broadcasters Ted Failon and Mel Tiangco; photographer Jun de Leon; businesswoman Evelyn Singson; boxing champ and Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquaio; and beauty queens Shamcey Supsup and Gwendolyn Ruais.

McDonald's Philippines founder George Yang also received a special award, while Makabata Foundation and Poveda School co-founder, Maruxa Pita was given PeopleAsia's first People's Choice Award.

PeopleAsia Magazine is published bi-monthly by Stargate Media Corporation.

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