Composers and consuls to rule Garbo Awards

CEBU, Philippines - The Garbo sa Sugbo Awards for this year will be held tonight during the Governor’s Ball of the 443rd Founding Anniversary of Cebu Province. Consuls and composers will make up most of the awardees.

Set to receive the Governor’s Medal of Merit is Consul Robert Lim Joseph, who was just declared by the Provincial Board as an adopted son of Cebu Province.

The recipient of the same award last year was Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma for having been elected as president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.

It is the second highest award the Province of Cebu is giving next to the Order of Lapu-Lapu of which Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal is the only recipient yet.

Other awardees for this year’s Garbo sa Sugbo Awards are Consul Enrique Benedicto for International Relations; Consul Roberto Aboitiz for Social and Community Development; Consul Augusto Go for Education; Dr. Melquiadito Allego, writer and composer, for Cebuano Literature; Joseph Yap, president of Filinvest, for Corporate Leadership; Dr. Milagros Espina for Tourism; and Democrito Mendoza, president and founder of Associated Labor Union-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines, for Advocacy of Workers’ Rights.

To be conferred the Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award are Emilio “Maestro Mil” Villareal, composer and musical director; Domingo “Minggoy” Lopez, composer, radio and stage personality; Wenceslao “Ben” Zubiri, composer, actor and media personality; and Nenita Cortez Daluz, media personality, politician, lawmaker and government official.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said that this year’s Garbo sa Sugbo awards focuses on music, entertainment and the media thus recognizing their achievements during their lifetime.

Also to receive Governor’s Citation are Dennis Gregory Sugarol, a multi-awarded composer and musician; Michael Francis Lopez, a youth leader; and Remton Siega Zuasola, a multi-awarded filmmaker.

Alma Bella Guiao will receive the Governor’s Commendation for her bravery for single-handedly saving 30 fellow Overseas Filipino Workers in Syria, transporting them from Homs to the capital city of Damascus, last December.

Garcia said that she is expecting guests from outside Cebu but she would appreciate most the presence of Cebuanos who have been with her from the start as well as the private sector.

“It’s really time that we appreciate ourselves too and give that much value to our fellow Cebuanos,” Garcia said.

Garcia said that this will be her last Governor’s Ball after eight years as governor of the Province of Cebu.  (FREEMAN)