Doctor, bizman named Davao's Datu Bago awardees

A DOCTOR and a businessman have been named this year's Datu Bago awardees.

Councilor Pilar C. Braga, chairperson of the Datu Bago Foundation, said Dr. Helen Grace Te-Santos and Dennis Uy were cited for their role in social responsibility.

Santos is the founder and the first president of the Davao Cancer Society.

She carefully chose the seven initial members of the group and spearheaded the cancer awareness program wherein free consultation and screening, educational fora and free medicines were offered to the people of Davao City.

Because of these heightened awareness to the different cancers, the Dabawenyos learned through her that cancer can be prevented and can be cured when diagnosed and treated early.

Powered by her countless accomplishments in the field of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Oncologic Gynecology Medicine, Santos propelled her way into establishing programs for the underprivileged residents of Davao City and its surrounding localities.

Uy, 39, is the founder, president and CEO of the Phoenix Petroleum Inc., which was established in 2004.

Uyl led the initial public offering of Phoenix Petroleum at the Philippine Stock Exchange in 2007.

Phoenix is the only oil company to be publicly listed after the Oil Deregulation Law was passed in 1998. Since then, the company has posted a compound annual growth rate of 15 percent in revenue and 72 percent in total assets from 2007-2011.

Uy takes his role in various projects such as adopt-a-school program, scholarship, adaption of Philippine Eagle, pawikan conservation project, medical/dental mission, coastal clean-up drive, Philippine Coastal Guard Disaster Relief Program, and among others.

One of the highlights of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw celebration, Datu Bago Award is the most prestigious and highest award to be given by Davao City Government to a resident in recognition of his or her achievements.

The awards night will be held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on March 15 at 6 p.m. (Arianne Caryl N. Casas)