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It was an evening marked by glamour and a celebration of excellence at the 7th Philippine Empowered Men and Women of the Year 2024 Awards, held on Saturday at Teatrino Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan.
The event, organized by RDH Entertainment Network under the leadership of Richard Hiñola, celebrated luminaries who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields. The ceremony also featured the Philippine Empowered Youth of the Year 2024 and Asia’s Best Brand Excellence Awards 2024.
Among the honorees was Evangeline Pascual, the seasoned actress and Miss World 1973 first runner-up, who was awarded the prestigious 2024 Circle of Excellence. The citation acknowledged her “inspiring life, successful career, and commitment to serving others and the community,” which made her a deserving recipient of the award.
This year’s roster of honorees also included prominent figures such as Miss Earth-Air 2023 Yllana Marie Aduana, Miss Eco International 2021 first runner-up and Kapuso talent Kelly Day, Miss Manila 2023 Gabrielle Lantzer, and Mr. Gay World Philippines 2024 Bench Ortiz.
GMA-7 actress Bianca Umali, featured on the cover of Best Magazine’s 8th Anniversary issue, was recognized as the Empowered Youth of the Year 2024. She was joined by Miss Humanity International 2023 Marianne Beatriz Bermundo, the official endorser of Soludable Premium Barley, and Miss Teen Glam International 2024 Yllaiza Maragra.
The evening also saw Princess Ryan, founder of Kidz Groove Neurodiversity Mission, being crowned and sashed as Model Mom Universe 2024.
The Gawad Rosa Rosal Legacy Award was presented to businesswoman and philanthropist Maria Cecilia Bravo, the head of Intelle Builders and Development Corporation, which also received the Asia’s Best Brand Excellence Award 2024, highlighting her leadership and success in the business sector.