Every year, Esquire Philippines presents Man at His Best, the local iteration of a global signature event where we celebrate extraordinary Filipino men and women reshaping society as we know it. These are the dreamers and doers who have made a profound impact on the Filipino’s way of life, who are using their talents and skills to make something of themselves and inspire the rest of us to do better with our lives.
For Esquire Philippines’ Man at His Best 2024, we’re honoring nine mavericks and legends in film, music, business, politics, and entertainment in a cocktail event on Monday night, November 18, at Hilton Manila, Newport World Resorts. Despite coming from disparate fields and industries, they all have one thing in common: all of them exemplify what it means to be a Man at His Best.
SB19
Entertainer of the Year
Joseph Pascual
SB19 is currently the biggest name in Philippine Pop (P-Pop), and whatever one may have heard about the group being down-to-earth, approachable, and over-all nice people—they’re all true.
It’s clear that, despite SB19’s massive rise in popularity both here and abroad, they’ve kept their shoes firmly on the ground. There is no air of superiority emanating from them as they interact with people and in the way they carry themselves. They combine professionalism with playfulness that helps put those around them at ease. Their humility is made more apparent as they punctuate their conversation with a lot of “po” and “opo” with those whom they’ve just met.
And to think this is a group that has already made waves across the world.
Benjamin Magalong
Maverick of the Year
Joseph Pascual
“I’m not the perfect leader, you know. I have my faults and mistakes. But I know how to determine what is right from what is wrong,” Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong tells us in an interview.
Before entering politics, he served in the Philippine Constabulary and Philippine National Police (PNP) for 38 years, eight months, and 20 days. His credentials speak for themselves: 166 military and PNP achievement and merit medal, including the PNP Gold Cross and Distinguished Service Star. Now, under his leadership, Baguio City has leaned more into becoming a more advanced “smart city.”
Gary V
Icon of the Year
Joseph Pascual
If there is one OPM pop act that you need to see live on stage at least once in your lifetime, it would have to be Gary Valenciano. Arguably, there is no other local performer with such an electrifying stage presence as much as Mr. Pure Energy himself. Creating music and performing are not only his greatest passions—they’re his calling.
“I think people know that when they hear my songs, even if they watch me in a performance, they know that at some point in that performance, I’m going to sing a song that will hopefully to speak into their souls. I think that if music is meant to do that, then, I think the music will remain relevant,” he says.
Amado Forés
Restaurateur of the Year
Joseph Pascual
Opening three successful restaurant concepts and six branches in five years is no easy feat, given the extremely competitive dining scene in the Philippines and the disruptive impact of the pandemic. Despite these challenges, millennial restaurateur Amado Forés’ businesses not only survived but are now thriving.
There’s five-year-old Italian restaurant a mano, which now has branches in Powerplant Mall, Bonifacio Global City, and Araneta City. The noodle joint Ramen Ron, which consistently delights ramen enthusiasts, has opened a second branch. Meanwhile, the less-than-a-year-old Steak & Frice is winning over taste buds with its innovative take on surf and turf. Clearly, Forés is doing something right.
Kevin Tan
Businessman of the Year
Joseph Pascual
Kevin Tan has been primed to lead one of the country’s leading conglomerates, taking on bigger roles over the years within the company founded by his father, Andrew Tan.
In early October this year, Kevin Tan was officially named executive director of the board of Megaworld Corp. This adds to his position as executive vice president and chief strategy officer of the listed company. The appointment is significant as it further strengthens his role within the property development arm of Alliance Global, the family’s holding company that also counts interests in liquor, gaming, hospitality, and quick service restaurants. Only in his mid-40s, the executive is bringing a fresh perspective and management style to the company, which is poised to see even more robust growth in the years ahead.
Jose Javier Reyes
Creative of the Year
Joseph Pascual
Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes describes himself as a “Hydra with so many heads.” He is a filmmaker, a producer, a writer, a teacher. His childhood memories of catching Filipino films in Manila’s theaters, then eventually his degree in literature, led him to write scripts for the big screen, including the iconic film Oro, Plata, Mata, directed by Peque Gallaga.
Reyes is also trained as an educator, teaching young filmmakers and learning from them as well. His current post as chair and CEO of the Film Development Council of the Philippines gives him another platform for education, not only for filmmakers but also for Filipino audiences.
Hev Abi
Music Artist of the Year
Joseph Pascual
Hev Abi is a Quezon City boy in every respect. He grew up there, around Tomas Morato to be exact. The topography of QC is a central theme he constantly references in the songs he writes and produces. It’s quite literally etched on his body, too. The word “South” (stylized as “Souf”) is tattooed on his knuckles, another supposed reference to Timog. And his independent record label, Downtown Q Entertainment, is based in, you guessed it, Kyusi.
Today, Hev Abi is one of the biggest names not just in Fiipino rap and hip-hop but in OPM in general. And his star will only continue to shine brighter.
Carlos Yulo
Athlete of the Year
Joseph Pascual
Filipino artistic gymnast Carlos Yulo made history when he bagged two gold medals at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris,. Not only is he the first Filipino to win two Olympic gold medals, but he is also the first Southeast Asian athlete to do so. He also has several medals from the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Games.
And how did he get there? By merely showing up.
Marian Rivera
Actress of the Year
Joseph Pascual
Marian Rivera is having a very interesting year. Rewind, a Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 movie alongside real-life husband Dingdong Dantes, became the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time with a reported P1.2 billion ticket sales gross. Then, she bagged the Cinemalaya Best Actress award for the 2024 film Balota.
To call this a second wind for the actress, however, feels dismissive of the power of Marian Rivera. This isn’t a second wind; this isn’t her second prime. This is Marian Rivera simply being Marian Rivera.
Esquire Philippines’ Man At His Best 2024 is co-presented by Nissan, in partnership with Premiere Condoms, and with special thanks to Wilcon Depot, Moet & Chandon, and Engkanto Brewery. The official venue partner is Hilton Manila at Newport World Resorts.
