In Manila’s society pool, Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco shines as a vision of style, grace, and, above all, elegance. When she enters a room, clad in fashions that exude timeless Filipino style, the philanthropist commands attention not through volume or vanity, but through presence—the kind that speaks of heritage, intellect, and heart. Those traits are something Tingting shares with many notable Filipinas. And on Nov. 5, 2026, at the Rizal Ballroom of the Shangri-La Makati Hotel, she honored them with the return of her gala.

After a long hiatus due to the pandemic, Tingting’s List: The Elegant Filipinas made a grand return, putting the spotlight on women whose grace, intellect, and compassion continue to inspire and uplift. “Elegance” was the buzzword of the evening. While it is traditionally associated with the way a woman carries herself or the clothes she wears, for the women behind the gala, the word goes beyond the façade.

“Our vision is clear: to celebrate Filipinas who embody a kind of beauty that endures—one that radiates from character, purpose, and inner peace,” said Fortune Ledesma, one of the gala's of the board directors. “Over the years, we have discovered that elegance is not simply a matter of style—it is a way of living. It shows in the quiet strength one displays when facing challenges, in kindness extended without expectation, and in the thoughtful influence that shapes communities for the better.”

Echoing that is the gala’s mission. In the past, The Elegant Filipinas has extended help and support to various initiatives and communities, including the weavers of La Trinidad, typhoon victims in Tacloban, the widows of Mamasapano, and the Center for Possibilities Foundation, Inc. For its sixth edition, the gala benefited the Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, whose program reminds everyone that elegance also lies in caring for the people and the world we live in.

This year’s honorees are trailblazers from various fields—women who use their gifts to elevate others and to leave a legacy of grace and goodness. Tingting’s list includes noted actress Sharon Cuneta (there to receive her award was her daughter and former honoree KC Concepcion), Undersecretary of the Department of Justice Margarita Gutierrez, Villa Medica Philippines CEO Crystal Jacinto, Miss Universe 2015 and HIV/AIDS awareness advocate Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey, Honorary Consul of Montenegro to the Philippines Vanessa Pastor-Ledesma, philanthropist Linda Ley, former Metro Manila Mayors’ Spouses Foundation president Janet Olivarez, celebrated actress Marian Rivera, Wamrus Group of Companies’ Joy Wambangco-Rustia, GMA Films CEO and GMA Worldwide president Annette Gozon-Valdes, and Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines to UNICEF Nikki Prieto-Teodoro.

The night culminated in a celebration of Filipino style as noted designer Albert Andrada unveiled his latest collection, centering on the striking hue of magenta.

The woman of the hour, Tingting, defined elegance as something rooted in goodness—an innate trait that comes from authenticity.

“In the face of all the problems besetting our country today, one might ask: What is the relevance of tonight’s celebration of elegance? For one, it allows us a breath of hope that not all is lost,” Tingting mused. “Tonight, we celebrate the elegance of the Filipina—her compassion for her neighbor, her challenges and victories, her elegance and purpose. The only beauty that never fades is elegance.”