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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider One hundred twenty-six, and counting!

One hundred twenty-six, and counting!

Published Feb 1, 2026 12:05 am
HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE
Tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 2, we will be celebrating the 126th Anniversary of the Manila Bulletin, at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel. Thanks to it’s proximity to Feb. 14, I like to think that for us at the Manila Bulletin, it’s Feb. 2 that’s our red letter day - the day we show a lot of love to the media platform that we call home.
I joined the Manila Bulletin in 2020, and I don’t need to mention how that year marked the arrival of the global health crisis of Covid-19. As a consultant, one of my functions was to propose ways to diversify our offerings, and help make the platform more relevant to our followers, and to the advertising community at large.
So in 2022, we created the UPLIFT Awards, that recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations, across diverse categories, who were helping Filipinos cope with the dire pandemic. We ran this for two years, then agreed that a transition was in order.
Our Newsmakers of the Year social media post.
Our Newsmakers of the Year social media post.
The event was ‘rebranded’ as the Manila Bulletin Newsmakers of the Year, with the maiden event happening in 2024; as part of our main anniversary festivities. So the third edition will happen tomorrow night; and it’s heart warming to observe how this concept has now become an ‘institution event’ of the media outfit.
As with the past two editions, the ones receiving their awards are a mix of the popular and familiar; along with the relatively unsung, who managed to ‘catch our eye’, and fire up our imagination and admiration, for their accomplishments. All the awardees are more than deserving of the recognition that will be bestowed upon them tomorrow night.
I’d like to offer a shout out to Jordan Tan and Irish Lorenzo, as we banded together with the editors of the Manila Bulletin to come up with this selection. To Leslie Araujo and Jaime Misalucha, responsible for the program within a program that transpires tomorrow evening, my thanks and best wishes for the success of our anniversary event.
As for the ones receiving awards tomorrow, we all know about the principle of six degrees of separation; used to highlight interconnected social networks and the ‘small world’ theory. So I’d like to cite five of the awardees, as I like to think that I’ve formed a relationship with them that extends beyond mere acquaintance; and I’m super-happy that they’re on our list.
Chef Joshua Boutwood and Nilla, during the Michelin Guide Ceremony, held late last year.
Chef Joshua Boutwood and Nilla, during the Michelin Guide Ceremony, held late last year.
Joshua Boutwood’s Helm is the first, and only, 2026 two-star Michelin restaurant in the Philippines. Everytime I’ve had the opportunity to be at one of Joshua’s establishments, we’ve had crazy, hilarious conversations. Josh has a wicked sense of humor; and I hope he’ll recall the one we had about dry aged versus wet aged, during the opening of Juniper.
The Quezon City Trash to Cashback Program drastically reduces plastic waste, and teaches how the citizenry can turn what’s in their trash to groceries, and for paying their bills, such as electricity. The initiative was recognized at the recent COP30; and I’m always grateful to Mayor Joy Belmonte for her unequivocal and constant support of our MB Sustainability Forum.
Pilita Corrales I met a decade ago at Shangri-La Boracay; but it’s her daughter, Jackie Lou Blanco, who I’ve had more interactions with. When Issa performed in Theatre Titas’ Dedma (2025); it was a twinbill, and Jackie Lou was in the other drama. She would always greet me warmly, and I’m so happy that she recently took home the Aliw Awards’ Best Lead Actress in a Play.
SM Supermalls celebrated their 40th Anniversary in 2025; and my relationship with the people running the company is quite extensive. The ones I interact with, I like to think we’re not just engaged in doing business together, but we’re also genuine friends. I’ve watched the evolution of the SM Supermalls, and have nothing but admiration for their journey. They’re not just a retail and Lifestyle destination or physical space, but a integral part of the community.
Margarita Fores passed away on Feb. 11, 2025; and I will miss her for being such a reliable friend, even if we weren’t all that close. In October of 2024, I was flying to Florence and messaged her for dining recommendations. She replied within an hour, and listed around six places - explaining why those six, and what to order. She was just a truly wonderful human being; never taking for granted the ‘silver spoon’ she was born with.
Congratulations again to all the Newsmakers of the Year. We’re proud to have you as part of our celebration, and are happy to be remembering those who made a difference in our lives.
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