THREE UST alumni have been named to PeopleAsia magazine’s “Men Who Matter” list for 2025 in recognition of their impact in journalism, business, and design.
Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) graduates Lito Villanueva and Asst. Prof. Christian Esguerra, along with College of Architecture and Fine Arts alumnus Jonathan Matti, were among the 13 featured personalities in the list who were included on the cover of the magazine’s June-July issue.
Esguerra, a political journalist who teaches at the UST Department of Journalism, was recognized as a “leading man” in elevating the standards of independent political journalism through his podcast “Facts First.”
His podcast, which tackles political issues and disinformation through in-depth conversations with experts and political figures, has gained a following of over 575,000 subscribers on YouTube.
“To me, it’s an acknowledgment, at the very least, that honest-to-goodness journalism really matters, especially at a time when the profession is getting a lot of beating from forces that seek to undermine what we do and render us irrelevant,” Esguerra told the Varsitarian.
“[The recognition] helps communicate the values of true journalism to a wider audience. In essence, it helps popularize truth-telling even more, and why journalism matters now more than ever,” he added.
A veteran political reporter, Esguerra previously anchored “After the Fact” on ANC and was awarded the Marshall McLuhan Fellowship in 2020 and the Award of Distinction in Journalism by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility in 2019.
He also served as editor in chief of the Varsitarian and later, as assistant publications adviser.
Villanueva, also an Artlets alumnus, was recognized for his work as executive vice president and chief innovation and inclusion officer of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC).
He leads Fintech Alliance.PH as founder and chairman, helping shape digital finance policy and practice in the Philippines.
Villanueva earned his master’s degree in public administration from the UST Graduate School, graduating magna cum laude.
Matti, a renowned interior designer who studied architecture at UST, was recognized for his contributions to Filipino luxury design.
Through his firm, Jonathan G. Matti Design Consultants, he made a name for himself in elegant and Filipino heritage-inspired interiors and decorative pieces.
Matti was previously included in Tatler Asia’s “Asia’s Most Influential” list in 2021 and 2022.
The other honorees this year are:
- Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto;
- Sen. Bam Aquino;
- Dr. Cyril Mitchel Agan, president and medical director of Lift Aesthetic Clinic;
- Jan Conadera, marketing director of Lift Aesthetic Clinic;
- Joshua Bingcang, president and CEO of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority;
- Robby Carmona, founder of SAGA;
- Jovy Hernandez, president and CEO of Metro Pacific Agro Ventures;
- Wayne Jacinto, general manager of Move It;
- Bryan Liu, vice president for strategy and operations of Golden ABC; and
- Alden Richards.
PeopleAsia publishes its annual “Men Who Matter” list to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to society, business, politics, pop culture, and entertainment. Micah G. Pascua
