Quezon City, Philippines, September 3, 2012—The first international awarding of the prestigious Gawad Geny Lopez Global Bayaning Pilipino Awards unveiled its exemplary winners from the seven regions of the world, two national awardees for the individual categories and one national winner for the family category in dramatic ceremonies held at the Dolphy Theater of ABS-CBN Corporation, in Quezon City, Philippines this quarter and which is currently available at The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) video-on-demand and online services.
The Lopez family comprised by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Eugenio Lopez III; Chief Information Officer for ABS-CBN and for its subsidiaries Mark Lopez; Head for Logistics and Procurement Cedie Lopez-Vargas; Head for Digital Partnership and Ecosytem Management Connie Lopez; and Head for ABS-CBN Publishing, Creative Programs Inc. and Sports Ernie Lopez bestowed the highest honors of Gawad Geny Lopez Global Bayaning Pilipino Awards for the United States to Pusong Pinoy as represented by Donna Rosario, Chairman; for Canada to Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre as represented by Katherine Anne Estacio, Operations & Marketing Coordinator; for Middle East to Filipino Badminton Club as represented by Dr. Chie Umandap; for Europe to Lahing Kayumanggi as represented by Ronaldo del Barrio, Creative Director ; for Australia to Kapit-bahayan Co-operative Ltd. led by its President Ruben Amores and for Japan to NETFIL as represented by Malou Okuyama and to Sagip Migrante as represented by Cesar Santoyo.
Assisting the Lopez family were President and Chief Content Officer Charo Santos-Concio; Country Manager for ABS-CBN Global Ltd. Edson Aguiflor; Head for Integrated Sales August Benitez; Head for Platform Sales, Integrated Sports, Channel 2 Sports, Studio 23, Balls – Fit 3 and 4 Tootsie Angara; Head for Technology Operations Center and Chief Technology Officer Raul Bulaong; Internet Group Deputy Carlo Katigbak; Head for Customer Marketing Group and Special Projects Leo Katigbak; Head for Creative Communications Division Robert Labayen; Head for Corporate Affairs Bong Osorio; Head for News and Current Affairs Ging Reyes and Head for Human Resources and Developmental Organizations Victoria Nuguid.
Heading the entire Gaward Geny Lopez Bayaning Pilipino efforts are Head for Special Projects Chit Guerrero and Global Project Manager & Head for Corporate Affairs and PR Nerissa Fernandez.
Moving video recorded by the Special Projects team headed by Guerrero in partnership with TFC’s teams in the U.S., Canada, Australia & Japan and correspondents in M.E. and E.U. headed by Chief Operating Officer Raffy Lopez and Ugat Foundation team headed by Fr. Nilo Tanalega, captured the essence of the organizations’ extraordinary service to fellow Filipinos in their area and even beyond.
According to Middle East winner, Dr. Chie Umandap “Alam mo lahat qualified, sa nakita ko na naipakita sa video, sa laki ng mga organisasyon, parang ang liit namin kumpara sa kanila. Pero ang pagkakaiba siguro naming sa mga nakasabayan namin, mas malaki ang puso namin.”
But for Pusong Pinoy Chairman Donna Rosario, it is not always about the hugeness. Rosario whose organization started small via a call out at one of the social networking sites relays that at one time, one of their donors humbly donated $50 and was greatly recognized by the organization for his effort. The unnamed donor refused to be honored acknowledging the ‘small’ value of the amount of money he gave. Ms. Rosario assured him that no matter the amount, Filipinos’ help go a long way.
The long list of silent workers continues in Japan. Frank Campos of Net-Fil said that prior to the Gawad Geny Lopez Global Bayaning Pilipino award, his organization was really helping Filipino victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake under the radar. Campos said “Being in the helping profession ourselves, we were just silently helping Filipinos particularly after the March 2011 disasters through psycho-social services to individuals and groups. The award is an affirmation of what we have done and we will try to push ourselves even further to help empower the Filipino communities in Japan.” Another winner for Japan, Sagip Kapamilya, as represented also by Nestor Puno accept the award in all humility “I am very proud and honored for receiving this prestigious award, and very thankful to the organizers of Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards for recognizing our small contributions for our kababayans in Tohoku Region. Puno adds,” Helping people, especially our kababayans is always part of our daily life. Recognizing the plight of our kababayan always inspired us to help people. Small contributions to make their life better is our lifetime mission.”
In Australia, Mr. Ruben Amores of Kapitbahayan Cooperative Limited, with the help of his wife and volunteers who have also benefitted from the organization’s program, help low to medium-income Filipinos and even non-Pinoys get affordable housing.
Through kapitbahayan or a value that inspires people to ‘work together, share their expertise and provide social care,’ Kapitbahayan helps Filipinos realize their dreams of owning their own homes.
While the awardees in the U.S., M.E. and Japan help through social work, education, and housing, Lahing Kayumanggi in London and Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre in Toronto meanwhile help their kababayans by helping them keep in touch with their family and roots. Lahing Kayumanggi’s del Barrio relays that they showcase Filipino culture in a foreign land but more importantly, bring together other Filipino artists and support their endeavors through funding. Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre Operations’ Estacio said her group benefits a wide range of age groups but focus on second generation Filipinos who they hope to set `free’ from cultural detachment.
National Awardees included: Gamez Family for the Bayaning Pilipino – Pamilya, Bayaning Pilipino- Guro Rebecca Ouano and Bayaning Pilipino – Individual Dr. Roel Cagape. Together, the Global and National awardees left the esteemed audience, mostly comprised by ABS-CBN Corporation and its subsidiaries’ officers as well as a stellar cast of celebrities teary-eyed as they witnessed the hardships and challenges the awardees went through, all in the service of Filipinos worldwide and for which they were duly recognized.
Touching numbers were performed by artists who in one way or another have experienced working overseas, have for themselves relatives outside the Philippines and have or will represent the Philippines in global competitions. Performances were rendered in dance by Bb. Pilipinas Universe Janine Togonon who is going to represent the country in the next Miss Universe and in song by Eric Santos whose father was a former overseas Filipino in Saudi Arabia & by Angeline Quinto who offers her achievements for her real-life hero – her grandmother. Accompanying Angeline was the University of the East Chorale who won an International Chorale Contest in Brussels in 2008. Meanwhile, legendary folk singer and internationally known artist Freddie Aguilar sang his iconic hits. Achievers Yeng Constantino, the first winner of Pinoy Dream Academy; second season second placer Bugoy Drilon; and Jovit Baldovino, first winner of Pilipinas Got Talent ended the night on a high note with a medley of original Filipino music heralding the talent, good heart and most importantly, the heroism of Filipinos.
The event was hosted by former U.S.-based actress Giselle Toengi and seasoned host Ariel Ureta. Segments were anchored by international achiever and Ms. Universe 3rd runner-up Shamcey Supsup. Presentors included the cast of Angelito Ang Batang Ama headed by JM de Guzman; singer-actor Guji Lorenzo; real-life couple John Estrada and former Ms. Earth Priscilla Mireilles; and news reporters Niña Corpuz and Atom Araullo.
The Gawad Geny Lopez Global Bayaning Pilipino awards can be currently viewed via TFC’s video-on-demand service in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia & Japan and its online service – TFC.tv worldwide.
The Gawad Geny Lopez Global Bayaning Pilipino Awards started as a National Awarding for outstanding Filipinos in the Philippines. In 1995, Chairman Emeritus Eugenio Lopez Jr. tapped Ugat Foundation Inc. headed by Project Director Father Nilo Tanalega to make the recognition for outstanding Filipinos performing extraordinary works to come intro fruition. This year, Gawad Geny Lopez bestowed the global awards to recipients who went through a screening process screened Board of Judges headed by Chairman Educator and Theater Artist Sonia Roco; Eugenio Lopez III; Gina Lopez,; Ms. Evelyn Caja, Bayaning Guro Finalist 2003 and Outstanding SPED Teacher Lingkod Bayan Awardee and Timothy Gabuna, Director, Ateneo Residence Hall.
