US Ambassador exemplifies the Men Who Matter

FOR ITS 14th year, PeopleAsia’s Men Who Matter search has named 12 men who stand out in their respective fields including those who “make history with their achievements in business and the arts, contribution to nation building and other advocacies,” according to a press release.
Leading this year’s pack is US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim who was once appointed as Special Representative for North Korea policy, with the rank of ambassador, and has played a role in laying the groundwork for the historic June 12 meeting of the US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Mr. Kim, who was called the “George Clooney of the Foreign Service” by former US Secretary of State John Kerry, is a perfect example of this year’s Men Who Matter, as he is a man entrusted with a monumental responsibility yet is very low-key about it, according to Jose Paolo S. dela Cruz, managing editor and special events director of PeopleAsia.
“Today’s Men Who Matter are successful but they’re not self-absorbed about their success. They have this humility with them that make them more impressive. Despite their success, these men keep on working hard…, and more than impressing people, they inspire people,” Mr. Dela Cruz told BusinessWorld shortly before the awards night on July 25 at New World Makati Hotel.
Joining Mr. Kim are columnist, book author, and speaker Francis Kong; neurosurgeon and Philippine General Hospital director Dr. Gerardo “Gap” Legaspi; and actor Jericho Rosales whose film and TV credits include Paul Soriano’s Siargao (2017) which competed in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival and the series Pangako Sa ’Yo which ran from 2000 to 2002.
Also in the list are business leaders such as Kendrick Tan, executive director and research and development manager of Emperador Distiller Inc.; Albert Arcilla, who is president of Volvo Philippines and president and managing director of The Covenant Car Company Inc., which brought Chevrolet to the Philippines; Raul Anthony “Ton” A. Concepcion, owner of Mondo Cucina Inc., which brought Italian home brand Smeg to the Philippines, and president of Condura; and Bruce Winton, cluster general manager of Marriott in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the creative fields are represented by sculptor Daniel dela Cruz, TV host and actor Ryan Agoncillo, and fashion designer and educator Jojie Lloren.
“Every year, we choose a group of gentlemen who represent the finest in their fields and this year it’s a mix of business, entertainment, public service, and diplomacy. If you look at it these are industries that push society forward,” Mr. Dela Cruz said.
This year’s Men Who Matter graces this month’s PeopleAsia cover.
PeopleAsia’s Men Who Matter previously included the like of former Senate President Manuel “Manny” Villar, furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue, athletes James Yap and June Mar Fajardo, and businessmen Felix Ang and Bernie Lu.
Stargate People Asia, published by Stargate Media Corp., is part of the STAR Group of Companies which includes BusinessWorld. — Zsarlene B. Chua
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US Ambassador Sung Kim
Grant Lim
Jericho Rosales
Francis Kong
Bruce Winton