Palma among Garbo sa Sugbo awardees

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma is among the Garbo sa Sugbo awardees for this year’s 442nd Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu.

The awarding will be held tomorrow evening at the Capitol Social Hall during the Governor’s Ball.

The Provincial Board (PB) in a special session yesterday passed a resolution conferring upon Palma a special award of distinction for his contribution to Cebu and the Cebuanos as the pastoral head of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The PB said that in his more than a half year here, Palma has publicly shown preferential care for the poor and the underprivileged by actively attending to their concerns on relocation sites and decent shelters.

“As a gesture of our highest esteem to a great but humble good shepherd, we join with all the Cebuanos in recognizing his Excellency’s pastoral leadership, exemplary works, and selfless dedication to the spiritual, moral and social life of the Cebuano community,” said the resolution.

Palma was appointed as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cebu on October 15, 2010 and was formally installed on January 13, 2011 succeeding His Eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

Last year, the Province of Cebu bestowed upon Vidal the Order of Lapu-Lapu, also during the Garbo sa Sugbo awarding.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is set to announce today the complete list of this year’s Garbo sa Sugbo awardees.

Garcia said that the awardees are composed of five individuals and one local government unit.

There are also special commendations to be given to two groups in the field of music and sports.

Garcia stressed that the basis for awarding are the true and consistent manifestation, show of performance and achievement that bring pride for Cebu.

Last year’s awardees include Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras for leadership and sustainable development; chairman emeritus of JG Summit Holdings John Gokongwei, Jr. for entrepreneurship and business development; chairman of Norkis Norberto Quisumbing, Jr. for entrepreneurship and community development; Sofronio Mendoza for visual arts; professor emeritus of USC Dr. Resil Mojares for Cebuano literature and history; Dulce for music and performing arts; and Dean of USC College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Ramon del Fierro for education.

The recipients of the Governor’s Citation are Cebu Normal University, Cebu Technological University and St. Benedict Childhood Education Center. — (FREEMAN)