PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to recognize 13 overseas Filipinos (OFs), and foreign individuals, as well as organizations from nine countries, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) announced.
On Dec. 11, Marcos will confer the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (Pafioo) for their valuable service to the nation.
Currently, the Presidential Awards has four categories: Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (Linkapil), Pamana ng Pilipino, Banaag, and Kaanib ng Bayan.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Photo courtesy of PCO
Awardees under the Linkapil Award include: Nurse Leo Felix Jurado from Lasam, Cagayan, and the United States; Dr. Emilio Quines Jr. from Tagudin, Ilocos Sur, and the United States; the Philippine Nurses Association of New York Inc.; and the Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation Inc.
Recipients of the 2024 Pafioo Pamana ng Pilipino Award are: Saudi Arabia-based medical supply company employee Larry Carumba from Victorias, Negros Occidental; Austria-based retired International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director Jane Gerardo-Abaya; Canada-based narrative artist Roberto Eusebio Lavides; and Switzerland-based global health expert Melvin Sanicas, who is known for contributing to the global response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those receiving the Banaag Award include: Dr. Elvy Barroso from New York City and Ligao City, Albay; France-based human rights advocate Zita Cabais; and Morocco-based community leader Elvira dela Cruz. All of them were recognized for helping their communities abroad.
Two foreigners were given the Pafioo Kaanib ng Bayan, who underscored the importance of global partnerships. They are Bader Ahmed al-Zafeen of the United Arab Emirates and Philippine Honorary Consul to Moldova Victor Gaina.
The CFO said this year’s awardees were selected from 84 nominations received by the CFO-Pafioo Secretariat after opening its nominations in December last year.
“These awards celebrate exceptional achievements and meaningful contributions that have advanced the welfare of overseas Filipinos, supported national development efforts, or raised the international profile of the Filipino diaspora,” the CFO said.
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