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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Manila Bulletin marks 126th year with First Lady, gov't officials, leaders, and partners

Manila Bulletin marks 126th year with First Lady, gov't officials, leaders, and partners

Published Feb 6, 2026 11:24 pm  |  Updated Feb 11, 2026 12:07 am
The Manila Bulletin officially marked its 126th anniversary on Monday, February 2, with a grand celebration at the Fiesta Pavilion of the Manila Hotel. The event brought together a distinguished assembly of the country’s leaders, including First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, and key Cabinet members such as Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez. The milestone was further honored by the presence of Senators Mark Villar, Camille Villar, Miguel Zubiri, JV Ejercito, and Loren Legarda, alongside Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez, members of the diplomatic corps, and prominent figures from the business and civic sectors.
Luigi Tabuena (with award co-presented by ArenaPlus) and Jordan Tan
Luigi Tabuena (with award co-presented by ArenaPlus) and Jordan Tan
Chef Josh Boutwood for Helm Restaurant
Chef Josh Boutwood for Helm Restaurant
ICTSI Associate Head for Global Public Relations Jupiter Kalumbakal, NanoComposite Filaments Project Lead Engr. Marianito T. Margarito, and MB Business Development Manager Jordan Tan
ICTSI Associate Head for Global Public Relations Jupiter Kalumbakal, NanoComposite Filaments Project Lead Engr. Marianito T. Margarito, and MB Business Development Manager Jordan Tan
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and MB Publisher Sonny Coloma Jr.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte and MB Publisher Sonny Coloma Jr.
'Sunshine’ actress Maris Racal and Pinky Colmenares
'Sunshine’ actress Maris Racal and Pinky Colmenares
Ian de Leon and son accepting the award in honor of Nora Aunor
Ian de Leon and son accepting the award in honor of Nora Aunor
SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and Sonny Coloma Jr.
SM Supermalls President Steven Tan and Sonny Coloma Jr.
The anniversary also served as the backdrop for the Newsmakers of the Year 2026 awards, a signature program of Manila Bulletin that recognizes individuals, companies, and organizations whose achievements have significantly impacted the Filipino nation. Aligned with the media company’s mission to inform, inspire, and empower, the awards highlighted the stories that dominated headlines and drove national progress over the past year. This year’s roster of awardees featured a diverse group of visionaries, including Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, celebrated athletes Alex Eala, Miguel Tabuena, and Kayla Sanchez, and culinary trailblazer Chef Josh Boutwood of Helm.
Buhay Platforms, Inc. CEO and Founder Adriel Maniego and MB Executive Editor Ed Bartilad
Buhay Platforms, Inc. CEO and Founder Adriel Maniego and MB Executive Editor Ed Bartilad
GCash External Affairs Manager Jerome Lantin, Usec. David Almirol Jr., Sec. Henry Aguda, and Pinky Colmenares
GCash External Affairs Manager Jerome Lantin, Usec. David Almirol Jr., Sec. Henry Aguda, and Pinky Colmenares
Sonny Coloma Jr. with Jackie Lou Blanco and daughter Arabella Davao accepting the award in honor of Pilita Corrales
Sonny Coloma Jr. with Jackie Lou Blanco and daughter Arabella Davao accepting the award in honor of Pilita Corrales
Amado Forés, Veana Forés, and Bledes Forés accepting the award in honor of Margarita Forés, with Jordan Tan
Amado Forés, Veana Forés, and Bledes Forés accepting the award in honor of Margarita Forés, with Jordan Tan
Tala Banatao Growney, Desi Banatao, Maria Banatao, and Rey Banatao accepting the award in honor of Diosdado Banatao, with Pinky Colmenares
Tala Banatao Growney, Desi Banatao, Maria Banatao, and Rey Banatao accepting the award in honor of Diosdado Banatao, with Pinky Colmenares
HONOR Philippines PR Manager Pao Oga, Cliff Eala (for Alex Eala), and MB Executive Editor Pinky Colmenares
HONOR Philippines PR Manager Pao Oga, Cliff Eala (for Alex Eala), and MB Executive Editor Pinky Colmenares
Pili Seal inventor Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon and Jordan Tan
Pili Seal inventor Engr. Mark Kennedy Bantugon and Jordan Tan
Kayla Sanchez and Ed Bartilad
Kayla Sanchez and Ed Bartilad
The 2026 honors also focused on institutional and technological breakthroughs that are shaping the future of the Philippines. Recognition was conferred upon the eGovPH Super App for digital integration, the Quezon City local government’s Trash to Cashback Program for environmental sustainability, and DOST-ITDI’s Nanocomposite Filaments for 3D-Printed Prosthetics for scientific advancement. Other notable awardees included the producers of the acclaimed film “Sunshine,” SM Supermalls in celebration of its 40th anniversary, the innovative Pili Seal, and the fintech company Buhay Platforms Inc.
Senators Mark Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Camille Villar, Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, First Lady Liza Marcos, Basilio C. Yap, Senator Loren Legarda, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora
Senators Mark Villar, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Camille Villar, Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, First Lady Liza Marcos, Basilio C. Yap, Senator Loren Legarda, and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora
Vice Chairman Dr. Emilio C. Yap III shaking hands with Chargé d’affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Sr. D. Pedro Llinás Almadana of the Embassy of Spain
Vice Chairman Dr. Emilio C. Yap III shaking hands with Chargé d’affaires and Deputy Head of Mission Sr. D. Pedro Llinás Almadana of the Embassy of Spain
Basilio C. Yap with Centro Escolar University (CEU) Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Teresa R. Perez, President Emeritus Ma. Cristina D. Padolina, VP for Accounting and Administration Ma. Rolina S. Servitillo, AVP for Treasury, Assistant Treasurer and Purchasing Department Head Corazon M. Tiongco, VP for Research Innovation and Institutional Development and Corporate Information Officer Erna V. Yabut, AVP for Operations Noel T. Baluyan, and Treasurer Cesar F. Tan, and EuroMed Directors Dr. William G. Padolina and Dr. Johnny C. Yap
Basilio C. Yap with Centro Escolar University (CEU) Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Teresa R. Perez, President Emeritus Ma. Cristina D. Padolina, VP for Accounting and Administration Ma. Rolina S. Servitillo, AVP for Treasury, Assistant Treasurer and Purchasing Department Head Corazon M. Tiongco, VP for Research Innovation and Institutional Development and Corporate Information Officer Erna V. Yabut, AVP for Operations Noel T. Baluyan, and Treasurer Cesar F. Tan, and EuroMed Directors Dr. William G. Padolina and Dr. Johnny C. Yap
Chinese Filipino Business Club (CFBCI) Vice President Paul Yeung, Vice Chairman Eduardo Tiu, Executive Vice President Gerald Uy Chan, Founding President Peter Yu, President Samuel Lee Uy, Manila Hotel Director Atty. Salvador C. Medialdea, Reyes Tacandong and Co. Chairman Roman Felipe ’Manny' Reyes, CFBCI Vice President Henry Lo Lim, Manila City Counselor Jeffreson Lau, and CFBCI Corporate Secretary Henry Go
Chinese Filipino Business Club (CFBCI) Vice President Paul Yeung, Vice Chairman Eduardo Tiu, Executive Vice President Gerald Uy Chan, Founding President Peter Yu, President Samuel Lee Uy, Manila Hotel Director Atty. Salvador C. Medialdea, Reyes Tacandong and Co. Chairman Roman Felipe ’Manny' Reyes, CFBCI Vice President Henry Lo Lim, Manila City Counselor Jeffreson Lau, and CFBCI Corporate Secretary Henry Go
The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado, H.E. Amb. Dana Kursh of the Embassy of Israel, Embassy of Israel Press Officer Rosemarie Chavez, The Manila Times CEO Anna Marie Ang Thompson, and Vice President for Sales and Marketing Roda Alonzo-Zabat
The Manila Times President and COO Blanca Mercado, H.E. Amb. Dana Kursh of the Embassy of Israel, Embassy of Israel Press Officer Rosemarie Chavez, The Manila Times CEO Anna Marie Ang Thompson, and Vice President for Sales and Marketing Roda Alonzo-Zabat
In a tribute, the Manila Bulletin conferred posthumous awards on four icons who have left an indelible legacy in their respective fields. Honors were bestowed upon National Artist Nora Aunor and legendary performer Pilita Corrales for their contributions to the arts, as well as renowned engineer-inventor Diosdado “Dado” Banatao and celebrated restaurateur Chef Margarita Fores for their pioneering work in technology and gastronomy.

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