MANILA, Philippines -- For her print media advocacy, Philippine Daily Inquirer board chairperson Marixi Rufino-Prieto was named one of this year’s Outstanding Manilans during the 438th Araw ng Manila celebration Wednesday.

Apart from advocating excellence in journalism, Prieto was also cited for her philanthropic support for various foundations, including Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity, LRP Foundation, Lay Education on Heart Diseases, the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Newsboy Foundation and Piso for Unity, Peace and Progress Foundation Inc., among others.

The Outstanding Manilan Award is given in recognition of men and women who were born, lived or studied in the city and whose achievements in their chosen profession or vocation have contributed to the city’s development and promotion.

Asked what she was most proud of as a Manilan, Prieto said the city has taught her a lot, particularly about business.

She added that her family, the Rufinos, used to own a theater on Avenida Rizal, the city’s entertainment capital during the prewar and postwar years.

In his speech, Supreme Court Justice Reynato Puno, the keynote speaker during the awarding rites held at the historic Manila Hotel, referred to Prieto as a “backbone” of the core group of his Moral Force Movement, his personal advocacy against corruption.

Prieto was one of the eight “highly respected individuals” chosen by Puno to make up the movement’s core group and draw up a criteria which will help voters select the leaders they should vote for in 2010.

The other awardees included former president Corazon Aquino who was cited for civic leadership and global diplomacy. Her son, Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, accepted the award in her behalf.

“Now weakened by disease, she continues to be our strength, an oasis of morality, a beacon of hope that goodness always succeeds,” Puno said of the former president.

Senator Manuel Villar, former Senate president, was named an Outstanding Manilan for public service.

Henry Sy Sr., Asia’s biggest shopping mall operator, was recognized for his role in business development. He was also feted for providing jobs and livelihood to thousands of Filipinos.

The Manila government also recognized Regina Paz-Lopez for her environmental advocacy, particularly her creative and indefatigable efforts to clean the Pasig River.

The other awardees were Eugenio Lopez III for his creative and dynamic role in the fields of broadcasting and telecommunications; Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala for entrepreneurial leadership, Miguel Enriquez for his unwavering commitment to public service through broadcast journalism; Dr. Teresita Uytiepo-Quirino for her role in the field of education; Metrobank Foundation’s George Ty for corporate social responsibility, and NBN-ZTE whistle-blower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada, for his advocacy for truth.

The awardees received a special medallion from Mayor Alfredo Lim and Manila Historical and Heritage Commission vice chairperson Gemma Cruz-Araneta.