MANILA, Philippines–Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno led the 12 individuals and five institutions that were recently conferred the Quezon City’s most prestigious award, the Gawad Parangal, in a program that served to commence the city’s Diamond Jubilee year.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow Gawad Parangal awardees, the Chief Justice said: “I am proud to be born in this great city and that a great part of my life was spent here. Many of the milestones in my life—from my birth, education, family and career—happened here in Quezon City.”
Sereno extolled Quezon City’s dynamism and vibrant spirit, saying that many of the industries and businesses in it have contributed much to its growth. “It is a city that takes pride in being a city of SMEs (small and medium enterprises),” she said.
Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte honored this year’s awardees at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, a first in the awards’ history, with a program that celebrated Quezon City’s history and achievements through the years. The occasion also served as an appropriate time to pay tribute to the city’s former mayors, including its founder, Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon.
The other Gawad Parangal awardees are Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Philippine Economic Zone Authority Director General Lilia De Lima, Cultural Center of the Philippines president Raul Sunico, National Artist for Music Ramon Santos, Jollibee Corp. CEO Tony Tan Caktiong, award-winning actress Nora Aunor, broadcaster Howie Severino, editor Marites D. Vitug, OFW advocate Susan Ople and economist Benjamin Diokno.
The Pangkat Kawayan, Kamuning Bakery, Quezon City High School, Quirino Memorial Medical Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center also received the award.
The keynote speech was delivered by Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who described himself as a “batang Cubao,” having grown up in the area where the awards night was being held, and who lauded Quezon City’s leaders for making it one of Asia’s most progressive cities.