Tingting Cojuangco unveils 2025 Elegant Filipinas

Eleven women, considered to carry distinction, purpose and grace, were unveiled for Tingting’s List: The Elegant Filipinas 2025 at Makati Shangri-la Hotel on 5 November. They were feted during a gala dinner and fashion show, led by organizers, socialite and philanthropist Margarita “Tingting” Cojuangco and Fortune Ledesma, honorary consul general of Monaco to the Philippines, who said, “Tonight’s gathering is not just a celebration of style, but of substance, of women who use their gifts to elevate others and to leave a legacy of grace and goodness.”

The awarding ceremony was followed by fashion show, “The Magenta Realm,” featuring the collection of Albert Andrada. The night also featured performances by Lara Maigue and Gian Magdangal.

“When we first began this journey, our vision was clear—to celebrate Filipinas who embody a kind of beauty that endures, one that radiates from character, purpose, and inner peace,” said Ledesma, one all of the board directors of Elegant Filipinas. “Over the years, we have discovered that elegance is not simply a matter of style, it is a way of living. It shows in the quiet strength with which one faces challenges, in kindness extended without expectation, and in the thoughtful influence that shapes communities for the better.”

This year’s honorees include Sharon Cuneta, called Megastar in Philippine entertainment, who has achieved an illustrious career spanning film, music, and television, earning numerous lifetime achievement awards for her cultural influence and enduring connection with audiences; Margarita N. Gutierrez, a lawyer and public servant, who has served as undersecretary of both the Department of Justice and Department of the Interior and Local Government, and is also a television host, columnist, and civic advocate for transparency and public awareness; Crystal Jacinto, chief executive officer of Villa Medica Philippines and chair of Wendy’s and Conti’s; Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach-Jauncey who continues to inspire through her humanitarian work in HIV/AIDS awareness, mental health, and women’s empowerment; Vanessa P. Ledesma, the honorary consul of Montenegro to the Philippines, and the entrepreneur behind Mercato Centrale, EnterPH, and Filipino Homes; Linda Ley, philanthropist behind Angels to Street Kids; Janet A. Olivarez, community leader and advocate for wellness, who serves Parañaque’s City Nutrition Action Officer; Marian Rivera-Dantes, one the country’s popular actresses; Joy W. Rustia, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who leads the Wamrus Group with her husband; lawyer Annette Gozon-Valdes, president and CEO of GMA Films and senior vice president at GMA Network; and Nikki Prieto-Teodoro, special envoy to UNICEF.

“In the face of all the problems that are besetting our country today, one might ask, what is the relevance of tonight’s celebration of elegance amidst today’s mess? For one, it allows us a breath of hope that not all is lost,” Cojuangco said. “That despite the poverty of the soul that seems to have permeated higher echelons of power, there are more of us who have maintained the excellence of bearing and resoluteness that allows us to marshal on. Far more importantly, I believe, recent events have shown crassness and the lack of elegance. Certainly, no amount of money nor power can buy elegance. We have seen this in the ostentatious display of wealth and power by the so-called ‘nepo babies.’”

“But tonight, let us celebrate the elegance of the Filipina, her compassion for her neighbor, her challenges and difficulties, her elegance and purpose,” she stressed.

Founded by Cojuangco in 2015, Tingting’s List: The Elegant Filipinas aims to raise funds for different causes. This year’s beneficiary is Philippine Society of Orphan Disorder.

After a hiatus from 2020 to 2024, it returned this year. The inaugural roster included Tootsy Angara, Lucy Gomez, Fortune Ledesma, Mandy Dela Rama, Vicky Zubiri, Ching Cruz, Zelda Kienle, Amparito Lhuillier, Cindy Yang, and Gwendoline Garcia. In 2016, the distinction was given to Felicia Atienza, Marissa Concepcion, Stephanie Gonzalez, Vaness Suatengco, Dawn Zulueta, Marilu Bachelor, Karen Davila, Pamela Huang, Michelle Tan, and Mariquita Yeung. The 2017 honorees featured Mitzi Borromeo, Anna Palabyab Rufino, Rissa Mananquil Trillo, Audrey Tan Zubiri, Anna de Ocampo, Janina Dizon Hoschka, Heart Evangelista Escudero, Tweetie de Leon Gonzalez, Lulu Tan Gan, and Joanna Preysler. In 2018, the list included Apples Aberin, KC Concepcion, Diana Cua, Small Laude, Jessica Maxwell, Mai-Mai Cojuangco, Stephanie Crespo, Carla Laforteza, Kai Lim, and Marga Nograles. In 2019, Cat Arambulo, Jo Anne Bitangcol, Ayen Laurel, Chaye Revilla, Aleta Suarez, Happy Ongpauco, Amina Aranaz, Iza Calzado, Ria Prieto, Cedie Vargas, and Betsy Westendorp made it to the list.