KEY leaders of the Quezon City local government bagged the first award honoring excellence in business and professions.
“I bet I’m the youngest here,” QC Mayor Herbert Constantine M. Bautista said during the ceremonies organized by the Rotary International District 3780 at Camp Aguinaldo on Thursday, Nov. 4.
Bautista deviated from a prepared speech in English to exchange candor with members and guests, noticeably composed of men and women older than the mayor who is 42.
“I’ve been with the Rotary Club for so long, but this is the first time I’m receiving an award,” said Bautista, who was honored for excellence in public service, sponsored by the district’s Central and Araneta clubs.
According to district governor Pablo M. Gancayco, this is the first time that RI District 3780 created the Rotary Vocational Excellence Awards.
“While Rotary clubs have traditionally honored these outstanding men and women in special events on their own, this year the district leadership and 21 clubs have put these recognition ceremonies together in one spectacular evening to give more luster and meaning to the prestigious awards,” Gancayco said.
The award ceremonies were held at Camp Aguinaldo.
Gancayco and Marilen Lagniton, president of Rotary Club Cubao, Edsa and vice president for customer relations of St. Luke’s Medical Center, handed out the awards.
Gancayco said the awardees are recognized for their contributions to society while undertaking their respective vocations and upholding “the highest ethical and professional standards in their work.”
The other QC executive awarded was Vice Mayor Josefina G. Belmonte for government service and community development and sponsored by the RCs of Prima Vida and Eastwood. Her father, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., was also awarded for government service by RC Cubao East. Belmonte was Bautista’s predecessor and was mayor of Quezon City for nine years.
Aside from government service, teaching was also recognized as worthy of an excellence award. Awardees and the respective RC that supported them were: teachers Teresita S. Busadre (education, RC Batasan Hills) and Mary Grace S. Pelagio (teaching, RC Quezon City Southeast).
Those in the police and military were also honored: Lt. Gen. Ricardo David Jr., who is the 41st chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (military, RC Camp Aguinaldo); AFP Brig. Gen. Ariel A. Zerrudo (military physician, RC Cubao West); Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Raul M. Bacalzo (police operations, RC Camp Crame); Police Supt. Leo M. Francisco (police/COPS 2010 winner, RC New Manila East); and, PNP Chief Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr. (police/COPS Founder, RC New Manila East).
The other awardees and the Rotary Club that nominated them were: [in alphabetical order] Dr. Leonardo S. Abogado (medicine, RC San Francisco del Monte); Edwin Bacasmas (photojournalism, RC of Cubao Edsa); Petron Corp. manager Editha G. Cabrera (environment, RC North Edsa); news anchor Miguel C. Enriquez (broadcasting, RC Centennial); Jesuit priest Jess V. Fernandez, SJ (social work, RC Loyola Heights); Arnel Pineda (international artist, Timog); and Nenuca E. Tangonan (technical education and skills development, RC New Manila).
