PNoy awards 27 outstanding overseas Pinoys
President Benigno Aquino III on Friday awarded 27 overseas Filipinos who have exemplified the Filipino talent in various fields, among them arts, fashion and public service.
During an event at the Malacañang Palace, Aquino said recipients of the presidential awards have become “channels through which the world can witness the excellence of the Filipino.”
“It is thanks to individuals like you that Filipinos abroad are able to cope with the challenge of being far away from home,” Aquino said in a speech during the awarding ceremony.
He expressed hope that the “revitalized” economy and governance in the country will result in the eventual return of more Filipinos to the Philippines.
One of the awardees, singer-actress Lea Salonga, was recognized for her “exceptional accomplishments as an international performer which has brought recognition not only to herself but also to the musical talent and ingenuity of her fellow Filipinos.”
The Filipina theater actress also sang her song, “Tagumpay Nating Lahat,” during the event.
Fashion designer Michael Cinco, who have designed clothes for Hollywood celebrities like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, also received an award from Aquino.
Jasmine Lee, the first Filipina and foreign-born citizen to be elected in the National Assembly of South Korea, was also among the awardees.
White House chef Cristeta Comerford, classical musician Cecile Licad, journalist Sheila Coronel and multi-awarded “Let It Go” composer Robert Lopez were also among the awardees, but they were not able to personally receive the recognition.
Other outstanding overseas Filipinos include:
– Danilo Favor, the first elected Filipino councilor in East Grinstead, United Kingdom;
– Rosa Angelica Libron, a nun who provides assistance to distressed Filipinos in South Korea;
– Augusto Mercado, Filipino community leader in Texas;
– Victoria Navarro, a Filipina nurse who advanced the cause of her profession in the US;
– Anita Sasaki, founder of a learning center in Japan;
– Marianito Asperilla, an infectious disease specialist;
– Kristoffer Collo, founder of an information technology firm;
– William Dar, a Filipino horticulture expert in India;
– Roderick Dela Cruz, a senior engineer who specializes in dam safety in the Philippines;
– Filomenita Hoegsholm, gender equality advocate in Europe;
– Jonathan Irabagon, award-winning saxophonist;
– Sheila Lirio-Marcelo, founder of an online care service in the US;
– Katherine Luzuriaga, pediatric immunologist;
– Baldomero Olivera, chemist and professor of biology;
– Alfredo Roces, artist, anthropologist and historian from Australia;
– Lolita Valderrama-Savage, internationally acclaimed painter;
– Paolo Antonio Silva, ophthalmologist specializing in retina research; and
– Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, painter and printmaker from France.
Aside from these individuals, Aquino also awarded the following groups for promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos:
– American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee,
– Humana Child Aid Society,
– Serenata,
– Daegu Filipino Community Council,
– Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Central Region Chapter Saudi Arabia, and
– Migrant Heritage Commission.
Aquino also recognized Japanese migration expert Wako Asato and Belgian educator Dominiek Segaert for their efforts to support overseas Filipino communities. —KBK, GMA News
During an event at the Malacañang Palace, Aquino said recipients of the presidential awards have become “channels through which the world can witness the excellence of the Filipino.”
“It is thanks to individuals like you that Filipinos abroad are able to cope with the challenge of being far away from home,” Aquino said in a speech during the awarding ceremony.
He expressed hope that the “revitalized” economy and governance in the country will result in the eventual return of more Filipinos to the Philippines.
One of the awardees, singer-actress Lea Salonga, was recognized for her “exceptional accomplishments as an international performer which has brought recognition not only to herself but also to the musical talent and ingenuity of her fellow Filipinos.”
The Filipina theater actress also sang her song, “Tagumpay Nating Lahat,” during the event.
Fashion designer Michael Cinco, who have designed clothes for Hollywood celebrities like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga, also received an award from Aquino.
Jasmine Lee, the first Filipina and foreign-born citizen to be elected in the National Assembly of South Korea, was also among the awardees.
White House chef Cristeta Comerford, classical musician Cecile Licad, journalist Sheila Coronel and multi-awarded “Let It Go” composer Robert Lopez were also among the awardees, but they were not able to personally receive the recognition.
Other outstanding overseas Filipinos include:
– Danilo Favor, the first elected Filipino councilor in East Grinstead, United Kingdom;
– Rosa Angelica Libron, a nun who provides assistance to distressed Filipinos in South Korea;
– Augusto Mercado, Filipino community leader in Texas;
– Victoria Navarro, a Filipina nurse who advanced the cause of her profession in the US;
– Anita Sasaki, founder of a learning center in Japan;
– Marianito Asperilla, an infectious disease specialist;
– Kristoffer Collo, founder of an information technology firm;
– William Dar, a Filipino horticulture expert in India;
– Roderick Dela Cruz, a senior engineer who specializes in dam safety in the Philippines;
– Filomenita Hoegsholm, gender equality advocate in Europe;
– Jonathan Irabagon, award-winning saxophonist;
– Sheila Lirio-Marcelo, founder of an online care service in the US;
– Katherine Luzuriaga, pediatric immunologist;
– Baldomero Olivera, chemist and professor of biology;
– Alfredo Roces, artist, anthropologist and historian from Australia;
– Lolita Valderrama-Savage, internationally acclaimed painter;
– Paolo Antonio Silva, ophthalmologist specializing in retina research; and
– Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi, painter and printmaker from France.
Aside from these individuals, Aquino also awarded the following groups for promoting the welfare of overseas Filipinos:
– American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee,
– Humana Child Aid Society,
– Serenata,
– Daegu Filipino Community Council,
– Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers Central Region Chapter Saudi Arabia, and
– Migrant Heritage Commission.
Aquino also recognized Japanese migration expert Wako Asato and Belgian educator Dominiek Segaert for their efforts to support overseas Filipino communities. —KBK, GMA News
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