An Evening to Remember

CEBU, Philippines - "I did not expect to receive any recognition for what I was doing. I just try to do good even if no one is watching," admitted Inspector Norman Nuez, chief of police of the Danao, Bohol police station. Norman is the 2012 recipient of the Lead PNP award stressing "Serbisyong May Pagkukusa" ("Service with Initiative"). At 29, he is the youngest and lowest-ranking so far of the awardees of the last three years. He is also the only one who rose through the ranks.

The Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, in partnership with the Dilaab movement, recently held a dinner in honor of Inspector Nuez on Saturday 01 December 2012 in recognition for his outstanding achievement. It was attended by CSupt Marcelo Garbo Jr., Director of Police Regional Office 7 in Central Visayas, together with his staff. Also on hand were the former teammates of Inspector Nuez from the Regional Training School of Region 7.  Two very distinguished guests joined the affair: Professor Romulo G. Davide, 2012 Magsaysay Awardee, and Doctor Raymund Cagape, 2012 Gawad Geny Lopez Awardee, who, together with Inspector Nuez had shared their stories before hundreds of students and some policemen a few hours before at the "Pwede Pala Pinoy 2012" event of Dilaab.

"The Lead PNP award is the most prestigious award in the PNP since it involves a process of field validation by representatives from the media, the academe, and the religious sector," added CSupt Garbo before an audience that included members of the Dilaab network that have been reaching out to the PNP through values training as well as several mesmerized street children. About 60 individuals graced the occasion.

Potential nominees come from any one of the approximately 1,700 chiefs of police all over the country. Each of the 17 regions nominates its most outstanding chief of police. Of these, five are shortlisted by a technical committee. Then a field-validation team, led by a police chief superintendent, visits each of the five finalists in their workplaces and they obtain feedback from stakeholders - individuals and groups - whom the finalists serve. They ask probing questions to validate what are written in the nomination forms.

Norman came with his wife, Iris, also with the PNP and who is expecting their second child. A very tasty meal of roasted chicken with gravy sauce, buttered vegetables, plain rice, ending with choco delice and banana cake was served by a delighted group of waiters.

While desert was served, several speakers shared their thoughts, including SPO1 Chistopher Lemuel Legaspi who recalled his experiences with Norman when they underwent the Values and Leadership School in 2005 started by Dilaab trustee, CSupt Samson R. Tucay (Ret.). CSupt Garbo encouraged Norman to keep up the good work and to seek success in family life as a real measure of success. He also advised Norman to seek self acceptance to attain contentment in life. Fr. Carmelo O. Diola, Executive Director of Dilaab, reiterated his group's joy to continue its fruitful partnership with the PNP.

It was indeed a night to remember. (FREEMAN)