Leadership was at the heart of the InCharge Magazine CEO Awards 2026, but before the distinguished awardees were called to the stage, the evening began with a message of gratitude, partnership, and a shared commitment to excellence from Andrew Troy Nicolas, Chairman of TAG Media Group and Publisher of InCharge Magazine.
Held on August 27, 2026, at the Embassy of Indonesia in Manila, the prestigious gathering brought together CEOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, diplomats, government officials, public servants, and changemakers from various sectors.
As the event’s host organization, InCharge Magazine opened the celebration by recognizing not only the achievements of its awardees but also the partnerships that made the occasion possible.
In his welcome address, Andrew Troy Nicolas expressed his appreciation to the Embassy of Indonesia for its support and emphasized the importance of recognizing leaders whose work continues to move businesses and communities forward.
“Welcome, distinguished guests, CEOs, business leaders, and awardees!”
With these words, Nicolas formally welcomed the distinguished audience to an evening designed to celebrate leadership and achievement.
He continued by extending his gratitude to the Embassy of Indonesia:
“First off, thank you to the Embassy of Indonesia for the support to make this event possible.”
For Nicolas, the venue represented more than a
prestigious setting. The Embassy of Indonesia provided a meaningful backdrop
for an evening that celebrated both leadership and the longstanding friendship
between the Philippines and Indonesia.
Celebrating More Than Achievements
“Tonight, we celebrate not only outstanding achievements, but also the vision, leadership, and determination that inspire businesses and communities to move forward.”
The message captured the central philosophy behind the InCharge Magazine CEO Awards.
Recognition, in this context, is not simply about what a leader has already achieved. It is also about the influence that person has on others—the ability to inspire teams, create opportunities, build organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute to national development.
For Nicolas and TAG Media Group, celebrating these
stories is part of the role of media: to provide a platform for people whose
work can inspire others.
A Message to the Awardees
Nicolas also directly congratulated the evening’s honorees, acknowledging the significance of their recognition.
“To all our awardees, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.”
He then connected their individual achievements to
the broader relationship between the Philippines and Indonesia:
“May you continue to inspire others and strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the Philippines and Indonesia.”
The message was particularly appropriate for an event held in celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day.
The CEO Awards brought together leaders from
different industries and nationalities, demonstrating how business, diplomacy,
public service, creativity, and civic engagement can create opportunities for
cooperation.
The Man Behind InCharge Magazine
As Chairman of TAG Media Group and Publisher of InCharge Magazine, Andrew Troy Nicolas has helped position the publication as a platform for recognizing leadership and excellence.
TAG Media Group publishes five print magazine titles—Rising Tigers Magazine, TopNewsAsia, Leading Women Magazine, EXQ, and InCharge Magazine—with nationwide distribution through National Book Store, Fully Booked, and select gasoline stations, supported by growing digital platforms.
Through its publications, the group continues to feature entrepreneurs, executives, public servants, diplomats, creative personalities, and community leaders whose stories reflect the changing landscape of Philippine leadership.
The CEO Awards represents an extension of that
mission: taking the stories of leadership from the pages of the magazine and
bringing the people behind those stories together in one room.
A Distinguished Circle of Awardees
The InCharge Magazine CEO Awards 2026 recognized leaders from business, fashion, entertainment, diplomacy, government, public service, media, and the creative industries.
Among the Individual Leadership and Industry
Excellence awardees were fashion designer Albert Andrada, visual artist and
photographer Filbert Diego Kung, entrepreneur and digital personality Tommy
Tiangco, entrepreneur and aviator Capt. Mark Tan, Veronica “Kitty” Duterte,
Sarah Deloraya-Mateo of SPD Jobs, Inc., Maria Charo Calalo, President and
National Director of Mrs. Universe Philippines, Glenda Hufano, and Elvi
Sanchez-Quiazon of The Bellevue Hotel.
The Diplomatic Leadership category recognized
ambassadors representing Bangladesh, Germany, Colombia, Malaysia, Argentina,
Cambodia, and Poland.
The Government and Public Service Leadership category included Cabinet Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Department of National Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., COMELEC Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia, BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, MMDA General Manager Nicolas D. Torre III, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, Sta. Margarita, Samar Vice Mayor Sol Deloraya, Secretary Mel Senen Sevilla Sarmiento, and Philippine National Police Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.
A Night of Philippine-Indonesian Friendship
The evening formally opened with the national anthems of the Philippines and Indonesia, followed by a presentation about InCharge Magazine.
Nicolas’ welcome address set the tone for the rest of the evening, emphasizing that leadership should be celebrated not only for the results it produces but also for the inspiration it creates.
The keynote address was delivered by Embassy of Indonesia Chargé d’Affaires Victorina Hesti Dewayani, further strengthening the diplomatic and cultural significance of the gathering.
The awards ceremony followed, with honorees receiving recognition for their achievements and contributions. Group pictorials, performances, dinner, and fellowship completed an evening designed to bring different sectors together.
Among those who attended were Aficionado founder
Joel Cruz, LGBT icon Barbie Arcache, Rotary Club’s Mache Torres, Manjit Reandi
of Camp John Hay, Embassy of Japan Minister of Economic Affairs YOKOTA Naobumi,
Dr. Elton See Tan of The E Hotels and Resorts, Robert Laurel Yupangco of
Yupangco Group, Atty. Arnel Mateo of PCCI NCR, and members of the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and Industry–Los Baños, among others.
A Welcome That Captured the Spirit of the Awards
Nicolas concluded his welcome address with a simple invitation to celebrate:
“Thank you all for joining us, and welcome to an evening of leadership, excellence, and celebration!”
Those words encapsulated the spirit of the CEO Awards 2026.
For Andrew Troy Nicolas, the evening was not merely about presenting awards. It was about bringing together people who lead, people who create, people who serve, and people who inspire.
It was also about building bridges.
Held at the Embassy of Indonesia during the celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day, the event demonstrated how leadership can become a platform for stronger relationships between nations, industries, organizations, and communities.
As the evening concluded, the message remained clear: great leadership deserves recognition, but its greatest value lies in the people it inspires and the positive change it creates.
Through InCharge Magazine and TAG Media Group,
Andrew Troy Nicolas continues to help create a platform where those stories can
be recognized, shared, and remembered.
Comments
Post a Comment