Before the #MEGAMillennialBall festivities commence, let’s take time to meet the inspiring men and women awardees who make up this year’s #TheNewPH

Pride is many things: It is that crowning jewel against a backing of glittering achievements; It is an acknowledgment of one’s merits on a landscape much more expansive than one can even begin to imagine; It is also standing up with self-assurance and humility in skill, patronage and advocacy. Most importantly, pride is exacting and inspiring change from whatever effort you set your heart, mind and soul to. A rousing coming together of different worlds, this year’s #TheNewPH selection makes one thing very clear: The Filipino pride is (still) worth fighting for, as it is a mighty force to be reckoned with.

A cornerstone month of celebration at MEGA magazine, the Pinoy Pride issue is something we not only look forward to, but something we really buckle down and work especially hard at year in and year out. The most opportune time to bring together the best of what this great nation can offer, we ultimately seize this opportunity to give nothing short of a worthy ode to the place we call home. As is tradition, this calls for our annual #TheNewPH awards—a celebration of everything that is great about the Filipino race.

Bringing together distant worlds at a singular story, #TheNewPH tradition is a constant reminder not only of our brilliance, but of our tenacious and undeterred spirit as well. This year’s selection is no exception from the inspiring and irreverent women that have come before. From art to food, film, music and even education, we have scoured the nation for uplifting stories of trial and triumph to give a necessary appendage to the definition of Pinoy Pride.

Leading the list is Anton Huang of the SSI Group for Luxury and Specialty Retail, followed by Mark Nicdao for Photography, Heart Evangelista-Escudero for Visual Arts, Alfonso Chusuey for Premium Hotel and Resorts, Jordy Navarra for Food and Cuisine, Patrick Starrr for Beauty and LGBT Advocacy, Wil Dasovich for Social Media, Sunnies Studios for Business, Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber for Entertainment, Chaye Cabal-Revilla of PLDT Inc. for Women Leadership, Wish Radio for Music, Coach Ramil de Jesus and the DLSU Lady Spikers for Sports and finally, KZ Tandingan for Music.

As the list gives you a swell and surge of pride, it is definitely more than that in the grander scheme of things. More than anything, it is a constant pledge to do more and be more as a Filipino, hoping that all our individual efforts can join forces into something greater than we have all come to imagine. This is #TheNewPH, and you are as part of the list as all the names that have been honored before.