Saturday, August 09, 2008 7 individuals, 1 firm gain Capitol’s ‘Garbo’
EIGHT awardees were honored last night at the Capitol Social Hall, as the Province capped its week-long celebration of its 439th anniversary with a ball.
“The people of Cebu are proud of you, except perhaps for one or two who, by your stellar achievements, are painfully reminded of their own mediocrity or puny existence,” said Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.
She named no names. Recent news reports, however, have quoted Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and businessman Crisologo Saavedra’s criticism of the fact that two of the awardees are the governor’s father and her brother.
The governor said that the recipients were honored because of their acts and achievements, and because of “our pride in being Cebuanos and our pride in all things that define us a people.”
“Cebu is strong because it looks at its past and finds in it, the original hope in its unity, the hope that has taken it through seemingly insurmountable odds throughout the centuries,” said Garcia.
Among the Province’s awardees is lawyer Winston Garcia, president and general manager of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), for “overhauling the near-bankrupt agency into the most profitable government enterprise in the Philippines.”
The award honors the governor’s brother for improving the GSIS’ collections and launching new products and services that bring the fund’s members “into the digital age.”
The Province also handed out an award to a former three-term governor, Rep. Pablo Garcia (Cebu, 2nd district) for his “exemplary performance as public official.”
The other awardees are:
* Sun. Star Cebu and Sun.Star Superbalita editor-in-chief Pachico A. Seares, for “blazing the trail of community papers by improving its content, coverage and newsroom
procedures” and for raising journalists’ sense of accountability;
* Nature’s Legacy Eximport owned by Pete Delantar for manufacturing “modern, eco-friendly” furniture and home accessories that have earned recognition both locally and
abroad;
* Dr. Francisco Nemenzo Jr., former president of the University of the Philippines, for his “commitment to the quest for academic excellence” and the modernization of the university;
* Lt. Pedrito Cadu-ngog, commanding general of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for “proving that hard work, patience and determination can triumph over adversity”;
* Cerge Remonde, Presidential Management Staff chief, for holding crucial positions in the Arroyo Cabinet; and
* Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano for his “unrelenting efforts in promoting both the tourism industry of Cebu and the country.”
Citations went to several companies, for their support of the Province’s programs.
These included Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc., for supporting the Capitol’s education and school building program;
Korea Electric Power Corp. for helping in the Province’s electrification program; the Fil-Chinese Chamber of Commerce Inc. for its contributions to the Province’s
education program; and Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa for its assistance in the Province’s professionalism program for its employees.
The governor also commended Ramon Chiu for his corporate social responsibility and “valuable contributions to the Province’s education system
.” (GMD)
