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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider GOSSIP GIRL: Filipino celebrities honored at 2025 ICON Ascent Excellence Awards

GOSSIP GIRL: Filipino celebrities honored at 2025 ICON Ascent Excellence Awards

Published Jul 8, 2025 07:44 am
Giselle Sanchez
Giselle Sanchez
Last Sunday evening was a night to remember at the 2025 ICON Ascent Excellence Awards, where Filipino talent and global impact were celebrated with pride.
As one of this year’s awardees, I had the honor of sharing the stage with fellow Filipinas who have each blazed remarkable paths in entertainment, journalism, wellness, and filmmaking.
I was humbled to receive the ASEA Premier Star Award for Excellence in Performing Arts, an affirmation of decades of work in the industry, spanning comedy, hosting, acting, and using media to uplift the Filipino spirit. It was surreal to stand among peers I admire deeply, all of whom represent different but equally powerful aspects of what it means to be a Filipino artist.
Beverly Salviejo
Beverly Salviejo
Veteran actress and comedienne Beverly Salviejo was the first to be recognized for her enduring impact on Philippine movies. In her speech, she could not help but be emotional, “My heart swells with joy to receive an award such as this. Because this is an affirmation that people see the kind of dedication and effort that I put into any work that I have done.”Salviejo’s expressive performances, especially in the film Maid in Malacañang, have left an indelible mark on the screen.
Multi-hyphenate Patricia Javier, an actress, singer, wellness advocate, and Noble Queen of the Universe 2019, continues to redefine modern womanhood. Javier won the Excellence Award for Women in Business. In her recorded speech, she shared her advocacy for natural wellness and holistic living, “Thank you so much for this recognition—it’s truly an honor to serve and support the health and well-being of our community through the Doc Rob Chiropractic clinics. This award is a reminder that when we come together with compassion and purpose, we can create lasting positive change.”
Also honored was broadcast journalist Angelique Lazo for her excellence in media and communication, and television director Jennie Villarico, whose creative work and strong faith-based storytelling have broken new ground in the Philippines.
Patricia Javier
Patricia Javier
These awards were given by ICON (International Council of Netizens), headed by Nel Talavera, ICON President, and Nicholas A. Caswell, ICON Chairman. With a strong presence among OFWs, local netizens, and marginalized communities, ICON aims to empower, inspire, and connect people using technology and positive influence. The Ascent Excellence Awards, hosted at the TCM Mall Event Center in Pasay City, highlighted these ideals with elegance and authenticity.
Being part of this gathering reminded me of the power of our collective stories. Whether through laughter, song, news, healing, or film, we each carry the light of our culture and identity wherever we go. I’m grateful to ICON and ASEA for this recognition, and even more thankful to be among passionate women who show that being a Filipina artist means having both heart and purpose.
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