As part of its 30th anniversary celebration, leading luxury retailer Stores Specialists, Inc. brings together over 30 individuals who have and continuously forge paths in their respective industries.
Dubbed #PassionForward, the campaign features personalities who live the curated life as well as champion it through creativity, ingenuity, and commitment to their craft—whether it be in advocacy, art, business, design, fashion, lifestyle, or social enterprise.
Included in the campaign are Ayala Malls deputy head Mariana Zobel de Ayala, CNN Philippines president Armie Jarin-Bennett, Globe Telecom president and chief executive Ernest Cu, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat, Alliance Global, Inc. chief executive officer Kevin Tan, SM Supermalls chief operating officer Steven Tan, and GMA Films president Annette Gozon Valdes in Business.
SSI also highlights industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue, fashion designer Lesley Mobo, and architect and designer Royal Pineda and Budji Layug’s accomplishments in Design. Magazine editor Mia Borromeo, lifestyle journalist Stephanie Zubiri-Crespi, and Happy Concept Group founder Happy Ongpauco-Tiu are recognized in Home and Entertainment.
Philippine Tatler managing director Irene Martel Francisco, Philippine Star lifestyle editor Millet Mananquil, and Philippine Daily Inquirer lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson San Juan are the passionate personalities in Lifestyle.
In Fashion, lifestyle and travel blogger Nicole Andersson, visual artist and fashion icon Heart Evangelista-Escudero, blogging pioneer Tricia Gosingtian-Gabunada, and style purveyor Tessa Prieto Valdes stand out. Meanwhile, Always Sunday creative director Aryanna Epperson and Happy Skin co-founder Rissa Mananquil-Trillo’s beautifully curated lives are recognized in the Beauty category.
SSI has chosen STEPS Dance Studio founder Sofia Zobel Elizalde, visual artist Paulina Luz Sotto, and Art Fair Philippines co-founders Trickie Lopa, Dindin Araneta, and Liza Periquet in Art.
Messy Bessy founder and chief executive officer Krie Lopez and PIOPIO founder and creative director Paloma Urquijo Zobel are named passion forward personalities in Social Enterprise, while Potter’s Place School founder Angelo and Ten Knots Development Corporation director of sustainability Mariglo Laririt, WWF-Philippines president and chief executive Joel Palma, and Senator Sonny and Tootsy Angara are recognized in Advocacy category.
Finally, chefs JP Anglo and Bruce Ricketts are recognized in Food category.
Putting passions forward has been an SSI advocacy through the years, and it continues in this tradition by maintaining partnerships with industry leaders and trendsetters who shape the Filipino style and lifestyle for the better.