STAR columnist among 10 Outstanding Manilans

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine STAR columnist William “Billy” Esposo and the late senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. were among the 10 individuals cited as “Outstanding Manilans” this year.

Esposo, who writes a regular column titled “As I Wreck This Chair” in The STAR, received the award from the Manila City government under the category “Social Responsibility in Print Media.”

The awarding of the Outstanding Manilans 2012 coincided with the 441st Manila Day celebration last Sunday.

Other awardees were Inquirer columnist Neal Cruz (Public Service in Print Media), Helen Yuchengco-Dee (Banking and Finance), Geronimo Berenguer de los Reyes Jr. (Guardian of Historical Records and Philanthropy), Ma. Cristina Paterno (Heritage Conservation), Henry Sy Jr. (Business Development), Alfred Ty (Real Estate Development), Lucio Co (Trade and Wholesale), Enrique Yap Jr. (Hotel Management and Tourism). Ninoy received a posthumous award for Public Service.

Former senator Agapito Aquino received the medal for his brother Ninoy from Manila officials led by Mayor Alfredo Lim during the awarding ceremony at the Manila Hotel Sunday night.

The Manila City government confers the Outstanding Manilan award to Filipino citizens who were born, raised or educated in this city and are known to have excelled in their chosen fields.

Their accomplishments should be recognized as valuable contributions to the growth and development of the city of Manila.

Esposo headed the media bureau of the late President Corazon Aquino. He became an acting director of the Bureau of Broadcasts and spearheaded the media campaign for the ratification of the 1987 Constitution.

He received the Philippine Legion Award with the rank of Commander from President Aquino for his contributions to the restoration of democracy in the Philippines.