BACOLOD CITY — The city government has launched this year’s edition of “Ang Banwahanon Awards”, a search for the most outstanding resident of Bacolod.
The Banwahanon Awards Committee, chaired by George Zulueta, opened on Friday the acceptance of nominations for the recognition given only to Bacolodnons from the private sector.
Zulueta said a board of judges will be chosen to select the awardees for 2018, which marks the city’s 80th founding anniversary celebration.
Nominations will be accepted until May 21 while the awards will be presented on June 18.
Committee member Johanna Bayoneta said that since the awards began in 1974, a total of 149 Bacolodnons have been recognized.
A maximum of five awardees are chosen every year, she added.
The “Ang Banwahanon Awards” has been institutionalized through City Ordinance No. 494 in 2009.
The awardees will be chosen for considerable impact for services rendered to the residents of the city or the community, which have immensely contributed to the economic, cultural, sports, social, moral, or educational development of the city, as well as for exemplary and selfless service achievements that shall serve as an inspiration and a model worthy of emulation.
They should be an actual resident of Bacolod for at least 10 years, and should be nominated or endorsed by non-government organizations, schools, churches, and barangays.
In 2017, “Ang Banwahanon” awardees included Simplicio Palanca, founder of the 250-hectare Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. reclamation project; Conchita Sicangco, philanthropist and founder of the famous Bob’s Restaurant chain; architect Armando Guevarra, who organized and empowered Bacolod painters; and former judge Franklin Demonteverde, who is known for his free legal assistance program.
Previous awardees included, among others, multi-awarded film director Maurice “Peque” Gallaga, Ang Bacolodnon anthem composer Joel “Bagger” Villaruz, Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Roberto Montelibano, and Bacolod Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Alfredo Barcelona. (PNA)
