SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez on Friday night lauded the country’s leading business magazine for excellence in journalism as well as its awardees this year for their outstanding achievements in their respective fields.

In his closing remarks at the 21st anniversary celebration of BizNews Asia at the New World Hotel in Makati City, Romualdez said its adherence to the tenets of excellence in providing incisive and in-depth reports on the economy, business and leading figures in the country was key to its longevity amid difficulties that forced competitors to fold up.

“These are the sterling qualities that earned for BizNews Asia that essential element vital for any publication’s endurance and survival – the precious trust of its readers,” Romualdez said.

BizNews Asia is the country’s largest weekly business and news magazine with a pass-on circulation of as high as 350,000 readers.

Likewise, Romualdez attributed the success of BizNews Asia to its president and publisher, multi-awarded veteran journalist Tony Lopez.

“Of course, it was in a large part, due to the vast experience and exceptional journalistic acumen of Tony, as well as his leadership attributes, that contributed to the rise of BizNews Asia to its enviable position as the country’s largest weekly news and business magazine,” Romualdez said.

The Speaker also lauded fellow recipients of the 2022 BizNews Asia Management Excellence Awards.

Apart from Romualdez, this year’s awardees include Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. Chairman Manny V. Villar, San Miguel Corp. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramon Ang, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. President and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, Architect and Urban Planner Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr., retired Marine Colonel and Medal of Valor awardee Ariel Querubin, businessman Reghis Romero II of R-II Builders, Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, Vice Chairman of SM Investments Corp. Teresita Sy-Coson, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and others.

The Speaker thanked Zubiri for approving the 2023 national budget, congratulated Diokno on his confirmation before the powerful Commission on Appointments, commended Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel “Babe” del Gallego Romualdez for helping strengthen the ties between the Philippines and the US, and Ang for his huge contribution to the country’s economic recovery during the coronavirus pandemic.

Romualdez was also among the recipients of the BizNews Asia Excellence Award in the field of public service in 2019, in his capacity as the House Majority Leader.

United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Singaporean Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Ho Wei Hong and other diplomats graced the event.

Apart from merely giving accolades to the awardees, Romualdez said such recognition is even more important in its effort to bring to the fore the trail these outstanding individuals blazed on their path to success that could serve as inspiration and guidance to future leaders.

“In essence, these awards provide a new generation of aspiring business leaders and entrepreneurs with tested roadmaps identifying the pitfalls and dangers, as well as the opportunities that lie ahead of their chosen path,” the Speaker said.

Romualdez said he hopes to see new faces and hear other inspiring stories of the success of the awardees who would be chosen to receive BizNews Asia awards next year.

Such expectation, according to Romualdez, “gives us hope that the spirit of dynamism is alive, pervading our economy and industry to bolster our nation’s capability of overcoming any headwinds that may come our way in the years ahead.”