2 TF columnists get award from Capitol

Two columnists of The Freeman are among the recipients of the prestigious 2006 Garbo sa Sugbu award which is bestowed annually by the Capitol upon distinguished Cebuanos who excelled in different fields.

Tri-media personality Leo Lastimosa was among the eight Cebuanos set to receive the award "for his outstanding contributions in the field of broadcast journalism."

Lastimosa had bagged the coveted Best TV News Program by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) and the Best TV Newscaster by the KBP Golden Dove Awards in 2005.

He will receive the award alongside fellow TF columnist Valeriano "Bobit" Avila, who was named the Best Talkshow Host by the Cebu Archdiocese Mass Media Awards (CAMMA) last year.

Other awardees are Judge Simeon Dumdum, Jr. in the field of judiciary, Archbishops Francisco and Osbaldo Padilla for their exemplary contributions in the diplomatic service to the Holy See, and Aida Labra Makk for her outstanding performance as an internationally acclaimed solo concert pianist, chamber musician and music educator.

The award will also be granted to Fe Sala Villarica, the founder of Ballet Center, for her outstanding contributions in the promotion of ballet and classical dances in Cebu, and to Ray Rubin Chan for his outstanding performance in the Ninth World Arnis Championship in Orlando, Florida.

Chan garnered two gold medals and a silver medal during the competition held from July 2 to 8.

Governor Gwen Garcia's executive secretary Elizabeth Francia, a member of the awards committee, said the awardees were identified and selected from the various nominees endorsed by town mayors, and based on the research conducted by the committee.

The awardees were chosen based on two general criteria: that they made major contribution for the development of the community in their respective fields of expertise, and that they should be acclaimed nationally and internationally.

The Provincial Board, in a special session yesterday afternoon, adopted a resolution conferring the recognition on the awardees endorsed by the Office of the Governor.

The granting of the Garbo sa Sugbu award will be the highlight during the Governor's Night on Saturday.

The affair, part of the weeklong celebration of the province's 437th founding anniversary, will start at 6 p.m. - Cristina C. Birondo