(FROM left) A+E country head Jacque Ruby, Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami, Philippine Azkal Misagh Bahadoran, Aga Muhlach, co-star of Nora Aunor from GMA’s Onanay Mikee Quintos, Victor Consunji, Christopher de Leon, Sharon Cuneta and Albert Martinez. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO A stellar line-up of Filipino luminaries including Sharon Cuneta, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Lea Salonga, Aga Muhlach, Christopher de Leon and Albert Martinez were among the honorees in this year’s History Maker awards at the recently concluded History Con 2018 event at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Honored for their significant contributions to the nation’s life and culture, the History Maker awards were also bestowed on celebrated broadcast journalist Jessica Soho, marathoner and businessman Victor Consunji and the Philippine Azkals football team.

SHARON Cuneta Cuneta, Muhlach, De Leon, Martinez, Consunji and Misagh Bahadoran of the Azkals personally received their trophies during the awards ceremonies.

Dubbed as the country’s one and only Megastar, Cuneta is distinguished for holding the title of box-office queen for a record nine times and, as a result, remains the only Filipina actress to be elevated to the box-office hall of fame.

“When you love what you’re doing, it just kind of falls into place…It’s devotion to my craft, my appreciation, my love for it. It just loves me back, I think,” the 52-year old actress was quoted as saying after receiving her History Maker award.

Muhlach is not only honored for being a heartthrob and winner of acting awards, he is also regarded as “the ultimate leading man” because of his support for underprivileged children.

The actor, now 49, recently celebrated his birthday and in an Instagram post, is “honored and grateful” for the award, which he also described as an “early birthday gift.”

Tony award winning actress Salonga was honored for being “a theater phenomenon;” Soho for being an award-winning journalist and “the Philippines’ answer to Oprah Winfrey;” De Leon for being the “king of Philippine drama;” and the Azkals for their historic feat of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup.

Aunor was also regarded as a History Maker for being the “grand dame of Philippine cinema” and the “People’s National Artist;” Santos for her achievements both as an actress and as mayor and now governor in Batangas; Martinez for being both a formidable actor and director; and Consunji for his remarkable achievements as a marathoner, which included being the first Filipino to finish the North Pole marathon just last year.

Launched in 2017, the History Maker awards are given to “a special few whose talent, efforts, dedication and sacrifices illuminate and inspire the lives of many others.”

Last year’s initial honorees were Pia Wurtzbach, Anne Curtis, Hidilyn Diaz, Himalayan Adventure Team, Ryan Cayabyab, Illac Diaz, Brillante Mendoza, Reinabelle Reyes and Romi Garduce.