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Tuesday, February 07, 2006
Vidal, GMA, Pacman lead Feb. 24 awardees
For his commitment and service to the Cebuanos, Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal will be given a special award during the 69th Cebu City Charter Day celebration, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said.
Osmeña also justified his plan to confer on President Arroyo the title of “Adopted Daughter of Cebu City” also during the Charter Day, which the City Council has yet to approve.
Osmeña said the President deserves to be recognized as an adopted daughter because of the special relationship she has with Cebuanos, such as letting Cebu host the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in December.
Aside from Vidal, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and boxing champion Manny Pacquiao will also be given special awards on Feb. 24.
“We all share the joy in celebrating the cardinal’s presence here in Cebu. Today is a good time to recognize his commitment to our community,” he said of Vidal, who celebrated his 75th birthday yesterday.
Advocacy
Aside from his pastoral work as archbishop in the last 25 years, the prelate has also been very vocal against anti-life practices, including the vigilante-style killings in the city.
Although he did not support proposals to make Pacquiao an adopted son of the city, Osmeña said Pacquiao will still get a special award for bringing honor to the country when he won against Mexican boxer Erik Morales last Jan. 22.
Pacquiao will also be the guest of honor during the Charter Day awarding ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center.
“We have to understand that one of the criteria for the title (adopted son) is that the individual should have a special relation with Cebu City and there’s no special relation between Pacquiao and the city. But to me he’s a national hero so we will give him an award,” the mayor said.
Special relationship
He added that in the case of the President, she has built a special relationship with Cebu by choosing to hold her inauguration and oath- taking here.
She also built a Malacañang in Cebu.
“So because of all of these, we’ll make her a daughter of the city. Where can you find a president who will defy traditions and have her oath taking here? We’re not trying to dishonor Pacquiao; he’s my idol and I don’t say that about many people,” Osmeña said. (LCR)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 7, 2006 issue)
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