Perlas awards 2008

Organized in 1986 and proclaimed the country’s Outstanding Non-Government Organization for 1994, the foundation is comprised of civic-spirited individuals who generously share their time, experience and expertise in the promotion and advancement of the best of Filipino talents, skills, resources and industry all in the name of nation building and development.

The annual search now on its 21st year recognizes and acknowledges role models who in some moments in their lives exhibited worthwhile values, traits of behavior and excellence in their given profession.

Dr. Fe Necessario was cited for her enduring dedication and commitment in the teaching profession and for inculcating value formation, ultimately making the Academe the channel for laudable and worth while youth and community developments.

Patricio Damaolao, was the receiver of the Valuable Farmer Award for demonstrating the noble role of modest farming in enriching agriculture as a means of livelihood for rural development.

Honorary Consul Roberto Aboitiz is this year’s Valuable Leader in Youth and Community Development for his exemplary leadership and services in the training, promotion and expansion of community-based and quality oriented education and value formation of the youth, instilling social responsibility and humanitarianism, as well as creativity and productivity in entrepreneurship and the preservation of ecology.

The driven, hands-on and dedicated Secretary of Tourism Joseph Ace Durano is the recipient of the Valuable Filipino for Leadership in the Tourism Industry for his dynamic leadership, management and guidance in the travel industry which has sustained Cebu as one of the top and favored destinations in the Philippines and in Asia.

Two Cebu-based organizations likewise received the Perlas Awards 2008 in the Valuable Institution category. They include the Sisters of Mary for their selfless services providing shelter, clothing and education to the underprivileged but deserving children in the Visayas and Mindanao the past forty years and founding the Sisters of Mary Girlstown and Boystown in Talisay, Cebu.

Another awardee was the Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko for its long years of service and volunteerism in medical care extended to the community, especially for children with cancer and patients in need of basic medical assistance in cooperation with beneficiaries and community volunteers. Cebu First Lady Margot Osmeña, the president of the institution accepted the award.

The officers and directors of the foundation are Rev. Father Ernesto Javier, president, executive vice president; Efren Valiente, vice president Marisa Fernan; corporate secretary Lourdes Jereza; treasurer Tess Chan; asst. treasurer Elvira Luym; auditor Consul John Domingo and  public relations officer Nelia Neri.

The directors include Ver de la Cerna, Pilar Cusi, Consul Sabino Dapat, Petite Garcia, Michael Go and Ester Velasquez.

Through the past 21 years, the Foundation has honored more than a hundred valuable Filipinos and institutions who continue to make a difference in the lives of many.