The Country's Most Eligible Bachelors

From young scions and ascending heirs to rising stars and bona fide influencers, T&C surveys the most eligible bachelors in the Philippines.

THE MANOR BORN

These young men, offspring of notable families, were born with the proverbial silver spoon.

Charles Tiu

IMAGE JOVEL LORENZO

Also good looking, intelligent, and industrious, Charles, too, was an Ateneo Blue Eagle in his college years just like older brother Chris, but is now paving a path of his own in the professional ranks as a former assistant coach on PBA teams Powerade, Barako Bull, GlobalPort, and on the national team, Smart Gilas Pilipinas. On the side, he’s anchoring the sports segment for Fox Network, penning game recaps and analyses for GMA News, and habitually making his rounds of Manila’s social scene.

Jaime Urquijo Zobel de Ayala

IMAGE IAN SANTOS

Jaime Urquijo Zobel de Ayala

His family name requires no introduction. Jaime, Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala’s grandson from widowed daughter Bea Zobel Jr., has lived outside the Philippines for most of his life, residing in Spain as a child and then in England to attend All Hallows School and Worth School (thus the charming hybrid accent of Spanish, British, and American). Upon graduation from Notre Dame University in 2010, Jaime was selected by the national team to represent the Philippines at the Asian 5 Nations tournament, and he’s stayed on as a member since—the reason behind Jaime’s more frequent trips home despite his hectic schedule as a Wall Street analyst in New York.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

You've seen them on television and on pages of a magazine, perhaps even on billboards.

Atom Araullo

The most fawned-over personality on television during his time as a journalist, Atom studied at Ateneo de Manila and Philippine Science High School before graduating with a degree in Applied Physics from the University of the Philippines- Diliman. One of ABS-CBN News’ most dedicated (not to mention handsome) field reporters, he famously delivered one of the hardest-hitting newscasts of 2013, risking his life to get the Philippine public its very first glimpse into the devastation of Typhoon Yolanda. We like a man who perseveres, and looks great while doing so.

Franco Daza

IMAGE COURTESY OF PREVIEW MAGAZINE

Franco came home to Manila in 2009 after living abroad for more than a decade, of which two years were spent with a charity organization as a camp counselor in Vancouver and Washington. It would have been to no one’s surprise if Franco had taken the culinary path, as his dad Sandy is a chef and restaurateur, and his grandmother is well-loved cookbook author Nora Daza. But bright lights beckoned, and Franco decided to give showbiz a try. Now he’s following in the footsteps of cousin Isabelle Daza.

Amado Araneta Fores

Amado Araneta Fores

Like most men his age, Amado’s Twitter musings and Instagram posts are populated by food (and an occasional proclamation of his admiration of celebrity gourmet Nigella Lawson). Except that in his case, it’s a sincere appreciation of gastronomy, given that his mom is power restaurateur Margarita Forés.

Matteo Guidicelli

IMAGE TOTO LABRADOR

With golden skin and attractive Eurasian features, it was only a matter of time until show business came knocking for Matteo, an Italian-Filipino racer born in Cebu to entrepreneurs Gianluca Guidicelli and Glenna Fernan (a niece of former Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan). Eventually, Matteo retired from racing and pursued acting full time, enrolling in workshops at the New York Film Academy and in a two-year Musical Theater course at Columbia College in Chicago. He’s since top-billed shows on primetime television and was a regular host on ABS-CBN’s weekly variety show.

Niccolo Manahan

IMAGECOURTESY OF RED TURNIP THEATER

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Beauty and the Beast, The Wizard of Oz, Hamlet—you name it, Niccolo has probably starred in it, whether as Prince Charming, a beast, or even Aladdin’s genie. When he’s not performing in buzzed-about shows (such as Red Turnip Theater’s controversial Cock), the grandson of the late society doyenne Elvira Manahan flexes his creative muscle at advertising agency as a copywriter.

Daniel Matsunaga

IMAGE JAY TABLANTE

A lean, 6’1 physique and exotic Brazilian-Japanese looks have helped Daniel succeed at modeling in over 25 countries after moving out of their family home in Brazil at only 16 years old, but it’s is genuine, friendly ways that have allowed him to thrive in Manila. His favorite form of exercise is football, which he tries to play daily.

Piolo Pascual

IMAGE DIX PEREZ/YES! MAGAZINE

The matinee idol and triathlete only gets better-looking with time. He likes to use that to benefit others through his philanthropic ventures. In 2005, Piolo founded Hebreo Foundation, a nonprofit organization that sends underprivileged youths to school. He often participates in fundraising efforts by the Ayala Corporation and Sun Life.

James Reid

IMAGE JAKE VERSOZA/MEN'S HEALTH

This Filipino-Australian actor’s star is on the rise. The triple threat (he acts, sings, and dances) has been one of the most talked-about young celebrities and has been on the cover of major magazines including Men’s Health, YES!, and Cosmopolitan.

THE CREATIVES

Freethinkers and artists who are helping to alter the face of Philippine culture.

Quark Henares

IMAGE JUN PINZON

Film director Quark is one of beauty juggernaut Vicki Belo’s two children with Atom Henares, entrepreneur and founder of cult radio station NU 107. While his mother and sister Cristalle are known to be the more outgoing members of the family, Quark has been quietly successful in his own line of work.

Martin Ramos Licauco

Martin, the son of Bak Ramos and Lito Licauco, is the youngest—and the only single—grandson of National Book Store’s “Nanay” Socorro Ramos. A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Music, Martin is a classical pianist and trained at Konservatorium Prayner in Vienna, Austria, for his craft. He’s now engaged in the family business’ distribution arm, but music remains his first passion.

Leeroy New

IMAGE IAN SANTOS

This young contemporary artist was a recipient of the Ateneo Art Award in 2009 and the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Thirteen Artists award in 2012. Since then his installations and sculptures have been displayed not only around Manila, but also in Australia, Japan, and Singapore.

THE KITCHEN MAVERICKS

It’s not just skillful service and innovative recipes that are reeling in a discerning crowd of diners to these restaurateurs’ establishments.

Enzo Lim

IMAGE MICHAEL MARIANO

The mixologist brought his expertise from a decade of bartending to Maharlika Moderno Filipino and Jeepney Filipino Gastropub, two dining establishments that fly the Philippine flag in New York City.

BJ Mantuano

IMAGE KHAI VAN KAMPEN/ESQUIRE PHILIPPINES

Raised in California, BJ helms one of Manila’s most well-loved casual dining spots as the sous chef of Wildflour Café + Bakery. Before that, he worked with chef Cyrille Soenen of Brasserie Cicou.

Allen Buhay

IMAGE Kai Huang

The chef and partner has catapulted Wildflour Café+Bakery into one of Manila’s favorite dining establishments and now oversees all four of its kitchens. He honed his craft working at Jean-Georges in New York and at Church & State in L.A. after studying at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Pasadena.

Gab Bustos

IMAGE VIDA JAUCIAN

This young chef broke into the scene when he opened his first restaurant, The Girl + the Bull. He held his own at the recently concluded Madrid Fusión Manila, where he showcased his own takes on Filipino dishes alongside veteran chefs such as Margarita Forés and Carlos Garcia.

Justin Golangco

IMAGE MIGUEL NACIANCENO

Justin would have been an architect if he hadn’t discovered a love for cooking. After taking up a course at the Culinary Institute of America, he worked in restaurants in San Francisco, New York, and San Sebastian before moving back to Manila in 2014 to become a private chef.

David Ong

IMAGE JOAN MICHEL/STYLE BIBLE

David is co-founder and managing partner of The Curator, a popular coffee bar in Legazpi Village, and EDSA Beverage Design Group, a craft microbrewery and café that showcases the best of local concoctions.

THE ACHIEVERS

The determined and accomplished few who are used to attaining extraordinary success, whether they’re continuing a legacy or creating their own.

Dave Fuentebella

IMAGE WILLY SAW

The debonair chief financial officer of the Max's Group of Companies is a former banker who boasts over 15 years in the industry, leading Deutsche Bank’s global transaction banking and trade finance and cash management departments.

Emil Yap III

IMAGE JINGGO MONTENEJO

Emil is the grandson of the late Emilio Yap, the media and banking taipan. He serves as vice chairman at the Manila Bulletin, the second oldest newspaper in the Philippines. He holds positions in Philtrust Bank, Manila Hotel, and Centro Escolar University, and is chairman of Manila Prime Land Holdings.

THE INTELLECTUALS

You’ll need to be equally sharp, well-read, and socially aware to keep up with these intellectuals. Only women of both style and substance need apply.

Quintin Pastrana

Armed with master’s degrees in global business, international relations, and literature from Georgetown University, Oxford University, and Cambridge University, respectively, Quintin worked on policy and structural reform in the Senate, House of Representatives, and the National Security Council before moving into the private sector, working on development and sustainability for companies in the energy and minerals sector.

Paolo Villonco

IMAGE GABBY CANTERO

The first Filipino to graduate from Stanford Law School (he took his master of law with a specialization in energy, environment, and policy and finished with honors to boot), Paolo is a seasoned litigator and start-up consultant who counsels entrepreneurs and fund managers on corporate affairs.

THE YOUNG GUNS

If the youth is the future, the Philippines has much to look forward to.

Matt Laurel

IMAGE ARTU NEPOMUCENO

Matt, who received his broker’s license this year, works for a real estate start-up called Turnkey. He was a member of the national baseball team for eight years and a member of Ateneo de Manila’s Blue Batters for five, and continues to coach fellow baseball players in the International Little League Association of Manila.

Mikkel Puyat

IMAGE GABBY CANTERO

Mikkel is not only my cousin, he is a brother to me in many ways. We have shared many adventures together from New York to Malasimbo. He’s always there to support me through the good times and the turbulent ones, and is a person I can depend on. Over the years, I have witnessed Mikkel grow into a wonderful human being. Everyone in his life can attest that Mikkel’s work ethic and dedication to maintain a healthy lifestyle are inspiring. He is not only a class act; he also has the rare ability to laugh at himself. In any room, Mikkel brings in all of the positivity and lightness to the dynamic. -KATRINA RAZON

Brian Poe-Llamanzares

IMAGE JINGGO MONTENEJO

His mother is Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who was a frontrunner in the 2016 presidential election and is currently a senator. A political science graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, Brian took classes in campaign and electoral management in Fordham University on his junior term abroad, and worked as his mother's campaign coordinator during the 2013 senate race. “Originally, I wanted to go into public service, but as fate would have it, my mom went into politics. So I think this is her time. In the meantime, I’ll find another way to make a difference,” he says.

Marty Lopez

This 28-year-old New York University graduate spent five years as an assistant director at Star Cinema before returning to New York for grad school at Columbia. He spends his free time taking photographs on hiking or sailing excursions.

Andro and Gino Magat

IMAGE IAN SANTOS

Gino is a headhunter, while elder brother Andro is a partner at Lima Architecture, which is a participant in the ongoing Venice Architecture Biennale. This is, however, Andro’s final year as a bachelor, as he’s planning a beach wedding with his fiancée in January.

Jeff Ortega

IMAGE ARTU NEPOMUCENO

Jeff co-produced La Union Soul Surf, a successful music and arts festival, while still studying political science at Ateneo de Manila University. Now he’s the managing director of La Union Surf School.

Rocco Puno

IMAGE COURTESY OF MARTY LOPEZ

Currently working at Deloitte Consulting in New York, Rocco majored in economics at New York University. He says his five-year plan includes “getting my MBA from a top-tier institution and helping lead the alternative energy revolution in whatever capacity I can.”

THE ATHLETES

Sports are a way of life for these disciplined competitive athletes

Cole & Gus Aguirre

IMAGE COURTESY OF IAN SANTOS

These good-looking brothers inherited their love of horses from their father, polo patron Bobby Aguirre. Both currently based in Australia, Cole (above) and Gus (top left) can be counted on to participate in the Enrique Zobel Cup and GlobalPort’s Philippine Polo Open whenever they’re home in Manila.

Marlon Stockinger

IMAGE IAN SANTOS

The Filipino-Swiss driver recently competed in the 2016 Blancpain GT Series, driving an Audi R8 LMS for the International Snowmobile Racing team. Last year, he joined the GP2 Series, considered by many to be a step away from Formula One, and finished with a ranking of 26th overall. 

Miguel Tabuena

IMAGE GETTY IMAGES

The professional golfer won the Philippine Open and his first Asian Tour title in 2015. In February he finished fourth in the Singapore Open and received one of three Athlete of the Year awards from the Philippine Sportswriters Association, alongside boxers Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes.