MANILA — Canadian-born content creator Kyle "Kulas" Jennermann and actor-host Donny Pangilinan were among the 14 honorees recognized at PeopleAsia's 21st Men Who Matter awards on Thursday, celebrating individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.
Kulas, aka Kyle Douglas Jennermann. People Asia/Facebook
Jennermann, who became a Filipino citizen in 2023, was honored for promoting Filipino culture and tourism through his "Becoming Filipino" platforms, which have amassed millions of followers across YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
"There are a lot of incredibly successful and impactful people who were recognized," Jennermann told ABS-CBN News. "To be alongside those people and be given an award that's so positive makes me really happy."
He added: “I’m very inspired be among these Men Who Matter. It’s just a reminder that whatever we’re doing in life, especially here in the Philippines, will hopefully matter in a positive way.”
An original resident of Comox Valley in British Columbia, Canada, Jennermann has been here in the Philippines for more than 13 years.
“Matagal na,” he beamed. “Ang feeling ko matanda na ako.”
He has been married for two years to Filipina social entrepreneur Therine Diquit, who was a former staff of Kim Atienza in ABS-CBN’s “Matang Lawin.”
Jennerman, who is fluent in Tagalog, lived in Mindanao in his early years here in the country. He immersed himself in Filipino life more deeply in Liloan, Cebu and also stayed with a family in Cagayan de Oro.
“Bisaya ako,” Jennermann smiled. “But ang aking asawa, Caviteña. She does social enterprise in her home in Maragondon, Cavite.”
Last July 20, the couple marked their second anniversary. They were together for eight years before they tied the knot. “We are working on having a kid,” Jennermann said.
Second time for Donny Pangilinan
Donny Pangilinan. People Asia/Facebook
Pangilinan, meanwhile, received the recognition for the second time after first being named a Men Who Matter awardee in 2022.
"I dedicate this award to every person who thinks that their life does not matter," Pangilinan said.
“As long as you are living and breathing, you have a purpose, you have a story and you matter. At the end of the day, there’s so much to look forward to and you should be grateful.”
The actor said the recognition serves as a reminder to continue growing and learning.
“I just felt very blessed to be among these amazing men, a lot of them I look up to,” he said. “It’s really an honor and a privilege. “I’m on a different stage in my life right now, so I think this recognition is a reminder that I have to keep growing, I have to keep learning. There is still so much that I should look forward to. I feel grateful and blessed.”
Also recognized were Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, architect Carlo Calma, One Meralco Foundation president Jeffrey Tamayo, designer Joey Samson, Century Pacific Food COO Greg Banzon, Active Group CEO Antonio "Toti" Turalba, Shell Pilipinas vice president Serge Bernal Jr., Urban Smiles president Dr. Ralph Figaroa Delas Alas, Asian Hospital president Dr. Beaver Tamesis and Toyota Motor Philippines president Masando Hashimoto.
“In challenging times, when headlines are so often dominated by noise and division, the purpose of a list like Men Who Matter — and the gathering of people who believe in them — becomes even clearer. Good men — and women — still and will always matter,” said People Asia editor-in-chief Jose Paolo de la Cruz.