Outstanding Quezon City residents named

A panel created by Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to search for the city’s outstanding residents has named six individuals as the recipient of this year’s Gawad Quezon.

The awardees are former Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma for the judiciary, Eduardo Castrillo for arts and culture, lawyer Charito Planas for community service, Frankie Evangelista for media, Jennifer Rosales for sports and former University of the Philippines President Dr. Jose Abueva for education.

John Gokongwei Jr., founder of the Gokongwei Group of Companies, will also receive a special citation for being the biggest employer and taxpayer in Quezon City.

The awardees will be honored during the Gabi ng Parangal on Oct. 12 at the Quezon City Sports Plaza. The celebration is one of the highlights of the city’s 64th founding anniversary.

Former President Corazon Aquino, who led last year’s awardees, will be the guest of honor during the Gabi ng Parangal.

Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCCI) president Nathan Zulueta, who was appointed as chairman of the anniversary affairs, said that the week-long anniversary activities includes a trade fair, civic and military parade and a two-day business summit.

"Mayor Belmonte will report to the business community the achievements of his administration in the last two years and a half including his future development program for the city," he said.

Zulueta also said that the business community will pay tribute to Belmonte for transforming the city from a financially distressed local government to the richest city in the country.

Belmonte will grace the opening of EntrePinoy Congress & Exposition, the flagship activity of the celebration, this morning at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.

Entrepreneurship, fund sourcing, networking, leadership management, franchising and the latest marketing trends as well as business policies of the local government will be tackled in the conference.

The mayor will then preside over the unveiling of the late President Manuel Quezon’s biography initiated by the Quezon Parks Development Foundation headed by Atty. Charito Planas.

A DzMM Caravan ng Kaalaman featuring various skills and livelihood seminars of "Sikap Pinoy" will follow. The seminars will be held daily until Oct. 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mabini Hall. Participants in the seminars can immediately apply for livelihood or micro loans from Quedancor.