At the first Gawad Balisong Awards, Vice President Leni Robredo was hailed as one of the Filipino Gamechangers of 2020.
She also congratulated her fellow awardees Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, Angel Locsin, Kathryn Bernardo, Bea Alonzo, Catriona Gray, and Winwyn Marquez.
In a speech given by the Vice President, she accepted the recognition on behalf of those who trusted her and her office to give a transparent service towards the advocacies that she’s pushing for.
“Ako man ang tumanggap ng award na ito, hindi lang ito para sa akin. Kundi sa lahat ng tao na nagtiwala at patuloy na nagtitiwala sa trabahong ginagawa at mga adbokasiyang sinusulong natin. Palagi kong sinasabi, wala sa ating naglalakbay o nagtatagumpay nang mag-isa. At kitang-kita namin ito sa Office of the Vice President. Lahat ng ginagawa namin in the past 4 years until now, nagiging posible lang dahil sa walang sawang tiwala at pagbubukas loob ng ating partners, donors, volunteers, at staff,” the VP said.
She then went on to emphasize the fact that the OVP doesn’t have enough resources nor power to make a huge difference, but there were others, from the public and private sectors, who were willing to help and to whom she were very grateful.
“Hindi naman siguro lingid sa kaalaman ninyo na wala tayong masyadong resources at mandato para mapagalaw ang ibang ahensya ng gobyerno. Kaya ang naging instrumento natin sa paglilingkod yung partnerships at collaboration natin with the private and public sectors. Mga ordinaryong Pilipinong hindi nag-aatubiling tumugon sa tawag ng panahon. Dahil sa tiwala nila, samahan pa natin ng di matatawarang sigasig ng mga staff at volunteers, we were able to transform the OVP into a more responsive, more relevant, more advocacy-driven office,” VP Leni continued.
She commended the non-profit organization, the Junior Chamber International and their counterpart in Batangas, the JCI Batangas Balisong, for being an instrument and volunteering for the OVP’s cause, which is to build learning hubs in different parts of the country.
“Sa larangang ito, isa sa mga ever-reliable partners natin ang family ninyo na Junior Chamber International. Lalo na sa pagtulong sa mga kababayan natin ngayong panahon nang pandemya. Sa lahat ng nakatrabaho nating JCI Club, kitang-kita namin, palaging buong-buo yung pagbibigay niyo ng sarili para sa kapwa. Recently, aktibo ang iba’t-ibang JCI clubs sa pagtulong sa atin mag-setup ng mga community learning hubs sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng bansa. Dahil sa inyo, may safe space yung mga learners natin. Kung saan pwede sila gumawa ng school work, gumamit ng gadgets, at magkaron ng mentoring kasama ang on-site volunteer tutors natin,” she said.
The inspiration that was given by the young organization didn’t escape the Vice President as she gave recognition to the efforts of the members of JCI. She even said that she’s looking forward to more opportunities to work with them.
“You at JCI continue to inspire us to look beyond our selves and extend our reach to those in need. And we hope to find even more opportunities to work with you in the future,” VP Leni commended.
She also instilled the lesson that she learned during the pandemic, that through unity, Filipinos can come through the pandemic. She also empowered the organization to become the bridge to help those who needs help the most.
“Dahil kung may isang mahalagang aral tayong natutuhan sa pandemyang ito, there is no way in through any crisis but together. The bigger the challenge, the greater the imperative, to put our heads together, and contribute towards a collective goal. We need more of us to do the work, more of us to deepen collaborations, and find even more ways to move forward. More of us are willing to take action, beyond good intentions. To serve the last, the least, and the lost. Ito mismo ang kailangan natin ngayon,” the Vice President reminded.
She also shared her own perception of being a gamechanger—to face challenges despite every obstacle that comes along the way.
VP Leni said, “At ito rin ang ibig sabihin ng pagiging gamechangers. Ang pagharap sa pagsubok, sa kabila ng takot at pangamba. Ang pagsulong kahit may panganib, ang pagbabayanihan, ang pagdadamayan, yung pagpapalawak ng saklaw na pinahahalagahan. Now more than ever, the world needs extraordinary people to take on extraordinary tasks.”
She then gave her message to the youth especially to the members of JCI Batangas Balisong. She wanted them to continue what they’re doing, reminding them that they were not alone in this journey.
“At kayong mga kabataan, kayo mismo dito sa JCI Batangas Balisong, ang simula nito. Kaya sige lang, tuloy lang sa lahat ng ginagawa niyo. Empower the marginalized, ibuhos ang talento at energy kung saan pinaka-kinakailangan, patuloy na maglingkod sa inyong kapwa, and know that you are not alone in this journey,” the VP encouraged the JCI members.
She also emphasized that there were no limitations nor restrictions when making a difference. She also reminded them that the journey is still long, but assured those who believe in her advocacies that every step they make is towards the betterment.
“Lagi rin ninyong tatandaan, you are never too young to make a difference. Walang pinpiling edad, lugar, o panahon ang pagiging mabuting mamayan. Napakalayo pa ng ating lalakbayin. Pero walang duda, bawat hakbang, basta tiyak at pasulong ang pagkilos, mas nilalapit tayo sa kinabukasang pinapangarap natin,” VP Leni ended.
In the video, she thanked Angel, Kathryn, Bea, Catriona, and Winwyn in their support towards the COVID-19 campaign of the Vice President. She also thanked them for their own initiatives to help those were in dire need of help. The VP also commended them for being a role model for Filipinos.
She also thanked Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, her fellow awardee, whom together with her team, worked on countless projects that were aimed to help the Filipino community.
The Vice President who was very active in extending her help and her never-ending campaign to give relief efforts to Filipinos affected by the pandemic as well as Typhoon Ulysses has been gathering donations and leading campaign after campaign for the betterment of the Filipino people. Recently, she organized BAHAYanihan, a project that seeks to build safer homes for families rising from the recent typhoons. As a result, she was given an award by JCI, a non-profit organization.
The 1st Gawad Balisong aimed to recognize outstanding Filipinos who are leaders committed to solve the society’s pressing issues and have engaged different platforms to amplify their voice. The recipients of this award were selected by JCI Batangas Balisong members.
The other awardees were:
Angel Locsin, who was also hailed as one of Tatler’s Heroes: Filipinos Leading The Fight Against Covid-19, raised 11-million pesos through her fundraising initiative which aimed to provide tents to hospitals in cities facing overcrowding due to the continued rise of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Kathryn Bernardo, together with her boyfriend Daniel Padilla, were very active on extending their help towards the victims of Typhoon Ulysses. On her birthday, the actress donated medical supplies to frontliners to help them in their fight against COVID-19. The actress also sent her relief packs through the OVP’s donation drive. KathNiel’s fans also led a fund-raising campaign to help their idols in their relief operations.
Meanwhile, Bea Alonzo and Catriona Gray spearheaded their respective donation drives for COVID-19 frontliners and Typhoon Ulysses victims. Bea led a charity drive to help raise medical equipment for those in the frontlines against the pandemic. Catriona, together with Red Cross, helped raise funds for Ulysses victims.
Winwyn Marquez, became such an inspiration to Filipinos when she enlisted as part of the reserves of Philippine Marines. She was inspired by her friend, who was also Marine reservist helping those who needed help amidst the pandemic.
