Five cited as outstanding Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino feted The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awardees and said they were reaping the goodness that they sowed.

The awardees were Dr. Jesus Estanislao for governance; former Trade and Industry Secretary Jose Pardo for business; Dr. Ramon Nery for government/public service; Sylvia Pendon for entrepreneurship; and Dr. Emerlinda Roman for education.

The President said the awardees were inspiring and that all Filipinos must participate in nation building.

He noted that he was happy with the renewed interest of the people in discussing national issues, following traffic rules and assisting in search and rescue operations every time calamities would strike.

The President said there should be no limits to the good that a person could do for the country and that the awardees were examples of those who strive for excellence and serving others.

“Like them, our ambition for the Philippines is simple: a nation where justice and accountability prevail; where if you do something good to your fellowmen, it will also be returned by goodness…That is why this event symbolizes the challenge that you pose before every Filipino: that whatever your status, gender or origin, doing great things is not shooting for the moon,” Aquino said.

He said this was the reason why he does not tire of calling on the people to collectively work for the improvement of the nation.

Estanislao, former finance secretary and an accomplished academic, was honored for his roles in carrying out successful fiscal reforms during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino, in being the architect of the rehabilitation of government financial institutions and in carrying out governance reforms in both the public and private sectors.

Pardo was cited for pioneering the franchising model in the country that continues to drive the economic engine. The current chairman of the Philippine Stock Exchange is also one of the earliest to push for corporate social responsibility decades before it became a key part of business.

Nery was awarded for his untiring work in the poorest provinces in Mindanao, where he initiated a host of reforms to improve the services of public hospitals and alleviate the ailing healthcare situation. His pioneering work in voluntary blood services program saved thousands of lives and became a model for similar initiatives.

Roman was recognized not only for being the first woman president of the University of the Philippines, but also for being a model educator for more than 30 years. UP’s centennial president ushered the country’s National University into its second century with notable improvements in the areas of infrastructure, curriculum development, fiscal capability, and public service.

Pendon was cited for pioneering the organic food movement in Palawan and empowering hundreds of women as a home economics teacher. This octogenarian broke new ground in the country’s cottage industry by introducing Philippine handicrafts to the world and creating a lucrative export market.

They joined a roster of 116 other Filipinos who have been recognized as Outstanding Filipinos. The TOFIL is a joint project of the JCI Senate Philippines and Insular Life since 1988.

Former President Joseph Estrada, El Shaddai leader Bro. Mike Velarde, former Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, businessmen Washington Sycip, Henry Sy and Ramon Ang were among those present during the ceremony at the Palace.