THE Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado was honored as Asia's Media Visionary Icon at the Asia's Golden Icon Awards 2024 held at Okada Manila on May 31.

In her official message for the award, Mercado thanked the organizers and selection committee, especially founder and chairman Ronnel Ybañez, who is known to be a visionary himself.

"As the president and chief operating officer of the country's oldest newspaper and Asia's oldest English daily founded in 1898, I make sure that the vision of the present owner of The Manila Times, Chairman Emeritus Dr. Dante Arevalo Ang, remains with the promise to give news that is accurate, fair and comprehensive – The Manila Times being the news source of choice of every Filipino and everyone else in the region.

The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado PHOTOS COURTESY OF ASIA'S GOLDEN ICON AWARDS

"We say in The Times that the history of The Manila Times is the history of the Philippine Republic and we would always honor its rich heritage rested upon our shoulders as we also snoop into the future.

"Since joining the company in 2015, I saw how The Times reached its status as a 'handsomely profitable' publication and one of the top influential dailies in the country, notwithstanding its opinion page as second to none in the genre.

"We assure our readers, colleagues and friends in the media industry that our strong editorial, advertising and production staff have a high degree of professionalism and experience that honor the ethics of the trade.

"As we also put a premium on enterprise stories, solid political and business reporting, and investigative exposes, watch us as we grow more amid the landscape of changing trends and preferences in the 21st century.

"Congratulations to all awardees and thank you to the dedicated staff of Asia's Golden Icon Awards to make this event possible. Again, Mabuhay!" she said.

Besides Mercado, honorees from the media include "TV Patrol" of ABS-CBN as Asia's Reliable News Program in Philippine News Media received by anchor Karen Davila, Weggievon Cudiamat of Net 25 as Exemplary and Respected News Presenter in Broadcast Journalism, Joseph Jerome Francia of GMA Network as Asia's Remarkable Leader for Broadcast Media Operations, People's Television Network as Asia's Broadcasting Excellence in Public Service and Zoe Broadcasting Network as Asia's Exemplary Media for Exceptional Audience Engagement.

From government service, Senator Mark Villar led the honorees as Asia's Visionary Leader in Philippine Infrastructure along with local government officials Maguindanao del Sur Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu as Asia's Reputable Public Servant; Dasmariñas City Mayor Jenny Barzaga as Asia's Exceptional Public Service in Good Governance, General Trias Cavite Mayor Luis "Jonjon" Ferrer 4th as Asia's Exemplary and Empowered Leader, Sto. Tomas Pangasinan Mayor Dickerson Villar as Asia's Exceptional Public Servant in Good Governance; Nunungan Lanao del Norte Mayor and League of Municipalities of the Philippines National Vice President-External Marcos Mamay as Asia's Transformative Leader in Municipal Governance; and Bulacan Vice Governor Alex Castro as Distinguished Icon in Public Service.

Other civil and social service personalities honored were Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia, Iconic Leader in Public Governance; IPOPHL Director General Rowel Barba, Distinguished Icon of Business and Law; PhilHealth President and CEO Emmanuel Ledesma Jr., Asia's Prominent Healthcare Leader; Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Ana Carolina Sanchez, Asia's Distinguished Public Administration Leader; Atty. Maria Amalia Tiglao Cayanan, Asia's Visionary Leader in Economic Growth and Development; PBGen. Prospero Noble Jr., Revered Exemplar of Principled Military Leadership and Public Service; Regional Trial Court Judge Phoeve Meer, Asia's Iconic Female Judge; Dr. Melinda Bagasala Mendoza, Prominent Leader in Technical-Vocational Education and Training; Renalyn Trinidad, Most Inspiring and Dedicated Leader in Education; Ruth Cuntapay, Distinguished Educational Leader; Kate Coseteng, Asia's Empowered Public Servant; PCol Ercy Nanette Madriaga, Most Exemplary Performance in Strategy Development for Police Transformation; PBGen. Carlito Gaces, Remarkable Legacy of Ethical Leadership in Law Enforcement; Laurence Anthony Diestro, Asia's Outstanding Young Leader; PBGen, Jerich Royales, Exemplary Service for Outstanding IT Leadership; and Marilen Gamotea, Exceptional Leader for Excellence in School Operation.

(From left) International awardees Keiiichi Tada of Japan, Hendrik Van Der Ham of Netherlands, Dr. Jurapas Pitaksethakarn of Thailand and Keiko Kuniyoshi of Japan.

From the business and socio-civic sector were George Chua Cham, Asia's Distinguished and Iconic Humanitarian Advocate; Rose Bosch Ong, Asia's Empowered Iconic Business Leader; Edgard Cabangon, Reputable Icon in Business Governance; Atty. Lorna Kapunan, Asia's Iconic Leader for Justice and Human Rights; Rosemarie Rafael, Asia's Iconic Business Leader in Logistic Industry; Cynthia Gaurana Poligono, Empowered Businesswoman in Global and Local Real Estate; William Lim, Asia's Iconic Business Leader; Glenda Hufano, Asia's Exemplary Humanitarian Advocate; Atty. Fabian Delos Santos, Head of Tax of SGV & Co,, Notable Icon in Advisory Services; IPOPHL DG Rowel Barba, Distinguished Icon of Business and Law; Melvin Castor Silvestre, Asia's Exemplary and Profound Business Leader; Julmer Fiel Noro, Remarkable and Inspiring Finacial Insurance Leader; Maria Lucia Camacho, Visionary Healthcare Consultant and Transformative Industry Leader, Florence Dalupang-Bueno, Asia's Iconic Director for Human Resources Management; Agustin Guido 3rd, Asia's Exemplary Leader for Hospital and Health Care Organization; Alta Development Corporation, Asia's Renowned Residential Realty Visionary; Ritchel Abella, Asia's Exemplary and Inspiring Business Leader; Ida Ceniza Tiongson, Asia's Esteemed Transformational Leader; Marlon Cordez, Asia's Exceptional and Visionary Leader; James Amparo, Asia's Prominent Leader for Agricultural Entrepreneurship; Lorellie Ramona Maxino, Asia's Exceptional Leader in Real Estate Industry; Marisol Castillo, Asia's Dynamic Leader in Real Estate; Abegayle Perez Deloraya, Exemplary Leader in Business and Community Engagement; and Leonardo Bautista, Renowned Leader in Community-Driven Transportation.

Also awarded were Marlyn Flores Castro, Asia's Outstanding Icon Entreprerneurship and Excellent Leadership; Editha Lim Manansala, Asia's Resilient Real Estate Leader; Calamba Law Firm, Asia's Notable Law Firm for Legal Practice and Advocacy; K & L Marketing, Most Leading iPhone Store in Central Visayas; Gluo Pharmacy Assocation, Asia's Most Leading Association in Public Health Service; Amalia Yap, Asia's Distinguished Philanthropist; Marie Pel, Distinguished Leader for Humanitarian Advocacy Efforts; Maria Rachel Madlambayan, Outstanding Real Estate Leader; Dennis Layug, Asia's Leader for Excellence in Advancing Education Through AI and Transformative Digitalization; Joy Lariosa, Most Outstanding Real Estate Entrepreneur; Renold Verano, Esteemed and Empowered Real Estate Leader; Glerda Lee-Pingol, Asia's Premier Business Leader for Sustaimnable Business Excellence; Tecnho Spear Training Center of the Philippines, Most Outstanding Technical Training Program; and Creativoices Productions, Asia's Premier Voice-Over Production Company of the Year.

International personalities were also honored such as Hongyang "Vivian" Zhang, Asia's Philanthropic and Transformative Leader; Dr. Jurapas Pitaksethakarn of Thailand, Asia's Inspiring Humanitarian Advocate; Hendrik Van Der Ham of Netherlands, Asia's Visionary Icon in Sustainability and Circular Economy; Karen Maria Alston of USA, Asia's Leader for Impactful Initiatives for Societal Transformation; Dr. Leah Vanterpool of USA, Asia's Leader for Transformative Philanthropy and Inspirational Leadership; Erick Van Egeraat of Netherlands, Asia's Distinguished Icon and Renowned Avant-Garde Architect in Sustainability and Urban Development; Keiko Kuniyoshi of Japan, Leading Humanitarian Advocate; and Keiiichi Tada of Japan, Inspiring Humanitarian Leader.

From the entertainment sector were Bilib, Outstanding P-Pop Boy Group; The Angelos, Distinguished Classical-Pop Tenor Group; Gian Magdangal, Outstanding Male Singer Performer; Lara Maigue, Outstanding Female Singer Performer; Deo "Diwata" Balbuena, Social Media Influencer of the Year; Nico Locco, Asia's Distinguished Emcee Extraordinaire; Kelvin Miranda, Asia's Rising Multi-Talented Entertainer; Ara Mina, Most Accomplished Female Actress; Sheryn Regis, Asia's Exceptional Singer for Outstanding Artistry; Pearl Hung, Asia's Inspirational and and Empowered Beauty Ambassador; and the Philippine Movie Press Club, Asia's Iconic Organization in Philippine Entertainment Sector.

Other awardees were Owen Sanchez, Asia's Golden Icon Awards International Ambassador; Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas, Asia's Outstanding Institution in Student Leadership Development; National College of Science and Technology, Distinguished Education for Innovation and Technology; and Swim League Philippines, Asia's Outstanding Aquatics Organization.

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