Garbo sa Sugbo: Province honors outstanding Cebuanos

CEBU, Philippines - Three institutions and one personality from business, music and culture and government service were honored as this year’s recipients of the “Garbo sa Sugbo” (Pride of Cebu) awards that were given as the province’s 440th founding anniversary celebration during the Governor’s Night yesterday.  

Profoods International Corp. represented by its president Justin Uy, was given an award for making a mark in international trade as a genuine and innovative Cebuano company, imbued with the strong, indomitable and entrepreneurial spirit of the Cebuano.    

Uy was recognized by the Philippine Center of Entrepreneurship as one of the most inspiring entrepreneur of the year as well as by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.    

The Cebu Arts Foundation, Inc. led by founding chairman Rep. Eduardo Gullas, was recognized for its firm belief in the Cebuano creative spirit, for nurturing and cultivating love and appreciation of Cebu music, Arts and Culture, and for bringing recognition and honor to our gifted Cebuano artists and musicians.    

Known as Cebu Pop Music, the foundation, which is on its 30th year, has successfully carried out its mission of bringing Cebuano music and artists to the country and to the world.  

The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. represented by its president Ramon E. Aboitiz was given the award for being architects of positive change in Cebu, in the Visayas and Mindanao, uplifting the lives and leading communities to sustainable change for a better future with equal with opportunity, justice and hope for all.      

 Lt. Gov. Michael Cruz, M.D. of Guam was also recognized for his excellence and outstanding achievement in the service of the government of Guam, his dedication and commitment to healthcare and humanitarian service, and his faithfulness to his Cebuano roots, and upholding the true and indomitable spirit of the Cebuano.    

Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) headed by Capitol consultant on security matters Byron Garcia was given the Governor’s commendation.    

This was due to the manifestation of discipline, which has given fruit to so many other positive Cebuano values and has made them model rehabilitation center not only to the country but the world.      

In connection to this year’s anniversary theme, “Cebu is one at 440,” Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said, “we celebrate our unity not merely because it is an achievement in itself, but because it is the fulfillment of a hope of four hundred and forty years.”   — Garry B. Lao/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)