LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Some 11 individuals were conferred the Quezon Medal of Honor (QMH), the highest tribute given to residents who made a mark in the fields of public service, peace and order, research and development, education, science and technology, governance and humanity, and sports as the province commemorated Sunday the 140th birth anniversary of the country’s second President, Manuel L. Quezon.
House Minority Floor Leader Cong. Danilo Suarez, and local officials led by Governor David C. Suarez, led the awarding rites that served as one of the highlights of the annual ‘Niyugyugan’ Festival, a 10-day thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of coconuts, the province’s main product, which ran from Aug. 9 to 20 this year.
Suarez, in his speech, encouraged Quezonians to emulate and continuously uphold Pres. Quezon’s legacy, character, integrity and leadership by inspiring them to aspire for this award.
“Patuloy nating tularan ang karakter, liderato at integridad ng Dating Pangulong Quezon. Sa gayon, lahat tayo ay makakaisa niya sa karangalan ng pagiging isang Quezonian.” (Let’s continue to imitate the character, leadership and integrity of former President Quezon, for us to share with his honor as a Quezonian),” Suarez said.
Awardees include Mayor Fernando Llamas and Dr. Edwin Pureza (public service); Senior Supt. Rhoderick Armamento and Senior Supt. Ronaldo Genaro Ylagan (peace and order, police service); Dr. Gracia Fe Budoy Yu (research and development); Gloria Potes (education); Raynell Inojosa (science and technology); Hjayceelyn Quintana (government service); and Bal Yujuico (philantrophy).
Posthumous awards were also given to Tobias Enverga Jr. (public service) and Genalyn Obciana (sports).
Senate Committee on Education Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara was the event’s keynote speaker during the event, held at the Margarette Hotel here on Aug. 19.
The province was named after the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, Manuel L. Quezon, who served on two terms, from Nov. 15 in 1935 to Aug 1, 1944 (term extended on Nov. 15, 1943).
He was born on Aug 19, 1878 in Baler, Aurora, and died Aug. 1, 1944 in Saranac Lake, New York. (Gideon Belen/PNA)
