MANILA, Philippines - Gary Estrada was recently honored as one of the recipients of the Outstanding Legislator Award, in ceremonies held last Sept. 4 at the Mandarin Oriental, Makati City.
The incumbent Board Member of Quezon Province’s second district was recognized for his significant contributions in his area, such as school buildings, farm-to-market roads, water supply system projects, barangay rehabilitation projects and medical missions.
“It’s a great honor and privilege to receive this award,†admits Gary, who is now on his second term as Board Member. “Imagine, to be chosen out of 70 entries. That speaks a lot about the organizers’ stringent criteria for choosing the awardees. And it feels gratifying to know that there are actually people who can do such a thorough appraisal of lawmakers’ performances, based on actual output and merit. This should be something that other legislators should aspire for.â€
“It’s an even greater honor to be included in this award’s pilot batch,†Gary adds. Only on its first year, the Outstanding Legislator Award is envisioned to be an annual event.
Out of 70 nominees, the final five awardees were chosen based on overall performance with particular emphasis on social and environmental responsibility, as well as projects in-progress for education, health, security, infrastructure and livelihood.
The awardees were deliberated upon by a special board of judges comprised of Karl Stuart McLean (director, Zuellig Pharma Asia-Pacific), Harry Tambuatco (Superbrands Marketing Int’l. Inc. president and CEO), Larry Broughard (international public relations officer/journalist) and lawyer Sara Suguitan (trademark law expert).
The award-giving body, Superbrands Marketing International (SMI), is a multinational that qualifies eligible brands to enter into the realm of marketing success. Over the past 18 years, the organization has produced high quality publications that serve and promote over 14,000 of the greatest brands in 88 countries worldwide, nine of which are in Southeast Asia.
The international brand arbiter, which is not in any way affiliated with any government organization, also revealed that the Most Outstanding Local Legislator Award is similar to its other earlier citations such as the Outstanding Congressman Awards, Outstanding Mayor Awards, Outstanding Professionals Awards and Outstanding Dignitaries Awards.
Other recipients of the Outstanding Local Legislator Award were Pangasinan Vice Mayor Earl James Aquino, La Union councilor Joseph de Guzman, Batangas Vice Gov. Jose Antonio “Marc†Leviste II, Masbate Vice Gov. Vicente Homer Bajar Revil and Catanduanes Vice Gov. Jose “Bong†Joson Teves Jr.