PRESENTATION OF THE SPECIAL AMB. ANTONIO L. CABANGON CHUA AWARD
(Speech delivered by BusinessMirror Publisher T. Anthony C. Cabangon)
It is really an honor for me to present this special award that is named after my father, the founder of the ALC Group of Companies and the BusinessMirror, Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua.
But first, let me highlight the relevance of the this special Dangal Award for Exemplary Senior Citizen and why it was named after my father. The regular Dangal—or Dakilang Adhikain ng Ating Lahi—Awards for Elderly Care is for those who are still working very hard, despite their age, to help their fellow senior citizens make the rest of their lives the best of their lives, at the grassroots level.
This special award, on the other hand, is for living legends, those who may not be joining or spearheading senior-citizen events, but are still very active—be it in business, culture, arts, sports, politics and other fields.
Now, I want to share with you that my late father, up to the time he was battling with cancer and was already over 80 years old, was still micro-managing the family business. He was still attending the meetings and events of each company in the ALC Group, and I tell you, it’s not easy, because our business cuts across many industries—as they say—from womb to tomb. Aside from the business, my father was also still playing golf, he was also tending to our foundations and corporate social responsibility projects. One of his favorites was the Catholic Mass Media Awards, because it was a personal favor asked by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin that we take charge of this annual event that has been going on for decades now.
My father, just like the founder of Unilab, did not come from a rich family. He used to be a shoeshine boy in his younger years and did a lot of things to survive in the post-war era. Up to his last days, my father was still very sharp in mind, and always had the resolve to pursue his visions.
Which brings me to our awardee.
At the age of 93 this coming December 3, Frank Sionil Jose is unarguably the oldest and most brilliant living legend of great Philippine literature.
His novels, like the epic Rosales Saga, have been translated in 22 languages—proof of his influence and following in countries like the United States, Russia, Korea, Indonesia, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Ukraine and the Netherlands, to name a few.
The stories depicted in his novels, short fiction and nonfiction works highlight the social underpinnings, class struggles, and colonial history of Filipino society.
Born on December 3, 1924, Manong Frank—as close friends and colleagues call him—has received many accolades, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Literature and Journalism in 1980; the National Artist Award for Literature in 2001; the Pablo Neruda Centennial Award in 2004 from the government of Chile; and the Officer in the French Order of Arts and Letters in 2014.
He has edited several publications, put up his own publishing house Solidaridad, and started the Philippine Pen or the poets, playwrights, essayists and novelists—which brings together writers in fellowship and in the defense of freedom of expression.
Now in his early 1990s, Frank Sionil Jose remains a prolific writer and a veritable giant in the philippine literary landscape.
And how strong is Frank Sionil Jose? Strong enough to climb almost daily the three flights of steps to his writing alcove at the Solidaridad bookshop in Manila.
I now present to you the first recipient of the Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Dangal ng Lahi Special Award for Exemplary Senior Citizen—our National Artist for Literature, the great F. Sionil Jose.
Dangal Awards Individual Winners:
Bonifacio Dazo, Las Piñas, 90 years old
Established the Federation of Seniors in Las Piñas, preparing its constitution and bylaws; served as president of the Senior Citizens of Barangay Pamplona II from 1995 to 2016; founder of the Las Piñas Garden Club and prepared a primer on garbage disposal.
Crisogono Ermita, Parañaque, 83 years old
RiteMed Awardee for 2017; Awardee, 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizens of Parañaque City; Extended free medical consultation in depressed areas of Barangay Marcelo; doctor in the medical clinic of the church; former president of the Ministry of Holy Communion
Josephine Gaviola, Makati, 77 years old
Conducted team-building seminars for seniors of Barangay San Lorenzo and served as committee chairman for Elderly Filipino Week Activities for five years
Ruben Cornelio, Valenzuela, 80 years old
Championed the passage of elderly-friendly city ordinances, such as Protection Program Against Elderly Abuse, Senior Citizens and PWD Trust Fund, Libreng Sine, Increased Burial Assistance
Alejandro Santiago, Pasig, 72 years old
President, Ugong Senior Citizens Association (2011-present); president, Federation of Senior Citizens Association of Pasig City Inc. (June 2011-March 2016)
Estrelita Evangelista, Pasig, 74 years old
President of the Kapisanan ng Senior Citizens in Buting, Pasig; president of the Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of Pasig City; initiated Bantay Blood Sugar and BP Monitoring for Buting seniors; won 2nd place as Outstanding Barangay, Senior Citizens Association of Pasig City
DANGAL AWARDS, GROUP WINNERS:
Tina Cares Saving Lives Program
(San Mateo, Rizal)
Headed by Mayor Cristina Diaz, its main thrust is to provide emotional support and care for seniors. Through partnerships with the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office, Municipal Health Office, Community Development Office, the San Mateo Federation of Senior Citizens and the religious sector, the organization has become known for its regular visitations to the elderly. They provide comfort and care to almost 200 senior citizens in 15 barangays.
United Pampanga Senior Citizens Organization or UPSCO (San Fernando, Pampanga)
Implements chicken and hog-raising livelihood programs for seniors, starting with animal dispersal. Holds leadership seminars for its members.
Xavier School Association of Retired Colleagues (Xavier School, Greenhills, San Juan)
The association is made up of retired employees of Xavier School. Its mission is to help facilitate a healthy transition for teachers from employment to retirement. Some of its programs include physical health, spirituality, financial management and cultural/socio-civic activities
UP Los Baños Elderly Development Program
(UP Los Baños)
An extension program of the Department of Human and Family Development Studies of the College of Human Ecology, the program regularly holds an annual Senior Citizens Summit for the seniors of Los Baños and nearby barangays. The program also conducts a monthly day-care service for seniors in the area
Office for Senior Citizens Affairs of Mexico
(Mexico, Pampanga)
Its main thrusts are health and wellness and capacity-building for seniors. Notable programs include lectures on health and wellness, and “Oldies but Techies.” Next year the organization plans to partner with SM Pampanga to allow seniors to work in the mall.