The first-ever Billboard Philippines Woman of the Year Sarah Geronimo put on a high-energy performance of her songs “Dati-Dati” (Before) and “Ikot-Ikot” (In Circles) during the award ceremony last March 22.

Geronimo was the finale performer, blowing the whole audience out of the water with her performance. Her husband and actor Matteo Guidicelli surprised her by presenting the award to her prior to the performance. “Through her songs, films, she has made people fall in love with her over and over again. I, myself, am a personal witness to this woman’s fortitude and determination to do her very, very, very best to make dreams come true,” he shared.

In her acceptance speech, the newly-minted Woman of the Year said, “Believe in yourself…Yan ang na instill sa akin ng parents ko bago ako pinalad na manalo bilang grand champion sa Star For A Night, a nationally televised singing competition back in 2003, hosted by the Asia’s songbird, Miss Regine Velasquez-Alcasid…Coincidently, yan din ang message na naitanim ni Ms. Reg sa puso at isip ko galing sa isa sa mga speech nya na napanuod ko noon at nadala ko throughout the competition.”

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Sarah Geronimo and the other awardees are featured in the special Women in Music print issue of Billboard Philippines. Order your copy via SariSari Shopping now.