Outstanding overseas Filipinos, groups honored
(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday honored 13 distinguished and outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign individuals and organizations from nine countries for bringing pride to the Philippines and Filipinos abroad. In his speech during the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) in Malacañang, Marcos highlighted the accomplishments of the awardees in various fields, particularly their noble works that "enhanced the quality of life in their respective communities." "Your stories continue to inspire us to make a difference and to rise above whatever adversity we face," the president said. "Thank you for the heroism and skills that you showed that gave pride to the Philippines," he added. The honorees included Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (Linkapil) awardees Leo-Felix Jurado, USA/Lasam, Cagayan; Emilio Quines Jr., USA/Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; The Philippine Nurses Association of New York (PNANY), USA; and the Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation Inc., USA. The Pamana ng Pilipino awardees were Larry Caramba, Saudi Arabia/Victorias/Negros Occidental; Jane Gerardo-Abaya, Austria/Kalibo, Aklan; Roberto Eusebio Lavides, Canada/Gumaca, Quezon; and Melvin Sanicas, Switzerland/Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The Banaag awardees were Elvy Barroso, USA/Ligao City, Albay; Zita Cabais, France/Bani, Pangasinan; and Elvira de la Cruz, Morocco/Pozorrubio, Pangasinan. The Kaanib ng Bayan awardees were Bader Ahmed Al Zafeen, United Arab Emirates; and Victor Gaina, Moldova. Marcos said the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino, Pamana ng Pilipino, and Banaag awardees have ventured into foreign lands, faced challenges head-on, and triumphantly excelled in their lines of work. He also thanked the Kaanib ng Bayan awardees. These are natural-born foreign individuals or organizations that have shown the same level of support, passion and care for overseas Filipino communities. "Thank you for showing compassion to Filipinos, especially in their times of need," Marcos said. Before concluding his speech, the president urged the awardees and all Filipinos overseas to continue serving their countrymen and the communities they call home. He also encouraged the public to draw inspiration from the remarkable contributions of the awardees. "Our dream is to, one day, make overseas work a choice rather than a necessity. We continue to implement reforms in governance and economic development to provide our people with opportunities here at home," Marcos said. "And so, against this backdrop, the Philippines remains committed to ensuring that the rights and well-being of our overseas Filipinos and their families are safeguarded at all times, wherever they may be," he added. Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) Chairman Dante Ang II lauded the PAFIOO awardees, describing them as "a beacon of Filipino resilience, compassion and excellence." "You have not only excelled in your respective fields but have also embodied the values that define us as a people —commitment to service, pride in our heritage and the drive to make a difference," Ang said in his speech. Ang said the Linkapil awardees have dedicated themselves to the development of communities and sectors in the Philippines, proving that distance is no barrier to solidarity. "Through your work, you bring hope and opportunity to countless Filipinos, empowering them with better education, health, livelihood and infrastructure," he said. The CFO head also recognized the Banaag awardees, saying that through their tireless advocacy and action, they have "made a difference in the lives of Filipinos abroad, amplifying the voice of the Filipino diaspora and advancing our cause on foreign shores." To the Pamana ng Pilipino awardees, Ang said their talent and industry "have brought honor to our country through excellence and distinction." "You inspire us with your achievements and remind us of the greatness inherent in the Filipino. Through your work, whether in arts, science, business or sports, you have shown the world the boundless potential of our people," Ang said. "You carry our flag with pride, and in doing so, you uplift the spirit of every Filipino who dreams of making a mark on the global stage," he added. Ang also lauded the Kaanib ng Bayan Awardees, "our foreign friends and partners who have chosen to invest in the future of the Philippines and in the lives of the Filipino people." "You are a testament to the power of shared purpose and cross-cultural solidarity. Through your generosity and support, you have strengthened our bonds and helped uplift communities, bringing about tangible changes that echo our shared aspirations for a better, more inclusive world," Ang said. Ang said the CFO was committed "not only to addressing the issue of brain drain but also to promoting a dynamic transformation into brain gain." "Our goal is to establish a thriving exchange of knowledge and resources between the Philippines and the glo
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday honored 13 distinguished and outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign individuals and organizations from nine countries for bringing pride to the Philippines and Filipinos abroad.
In his speech during the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) in Malacañang, Marcos highlighted the accomplishments of the awardees in various fields, particularly their noble works that "enhanced the quality of life in their respective communities."
"Your stories continue to inspire us to make a difference and to rise above whatever adversity we face," the president said.
"Thank you for the heroism and skills that you showed that gave pride to the Philippines," he added.
The honorees included Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (Linkapil) awardees Leo-Felix Jurado, USA/Lasam, Cagayan; Emilio Quines Jr., USA/Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; The Philippine Nurses Association of New York (PNANY), USA; and the Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation Inc., USA.
The Pamana ng Pilipino awardees were Larry Caramba, Saudi Arabia/Victorias/Negros Occidental; Jane Gerardo-Abaya, Austria/Kalibo, Aklan; Roberto Eusebio Lavides, Canada/Gumaca, Quezon; and Melvin Sanicas, Switzerland/Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.
The Banaag awardees were Elvy Barroso, USA/Ligao City, Albay; Zita Cabais, France/Bani, Pangasinan; and Elvira de la Cruz, Morocco/Pozorrubio, Pangasinan.
The Kaanib ng Bayan awardees were Bader Ahmed Al Zafeen, United Arab Emirates; and Victor Gaina, Moldova.
Marcos said the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino, Pamana ng Pilipino, and Banaag awardees have ventured into foreign lands, faced challenges head-on, and triumphantly excelled in their lines of work.
He also thanked the Kaanib ng Bayan awardees. These are natural-born foreign individuals or organizations that have shown the same level of support, passion and care for overseas Filipino communities.
"Thank you for showing compassion to Filipinos, especially in their times of need," Marcos said.
Before concluding his speech, the president urged the awardees and all Filipinos overseas to continue serving their countrymen and the communities they call home.
He also encouraged the public to draw inspiration from the remarkable contributions of the awardees.
"Our dream is to, one day, make overseas work a choice rather than a necessity. We continue to implement reforms in governance and economic development to provide our people with opportunities here at home," Marcos said.
"And so, against this backdrop, the Philippines remains committed to ensuring that the rights and well-being of our overseas Filipinos and their families are safeguarded at all times, wherever they may be," he added.
Commission on Filipino Overseas (CFO) Chairman Dante Ang II lauded the PAFIOO awardees, describing them as "a beacon of Filipino resilience, compassion and excellence."
"You have not only excelled in your respective fields but have also embodied the values that define us as a people —commitment to service, pride in our heritage and the drive to make a difference," Ang said in his speech.
Ang said the Linkapil awardees have dedicated themselves to the development of communities and sectors in the Philippines, proving that distance is no barrier to solidarity.
"Through your work, you bring hope and opportunity to countless Filipinos, empowering them with better education, health, livelihood and infrastructure," he said.
The CFO head also recognized the Banaag awardees, saying that through their tireless advocacy and action, they have "made a difference in the lives of Filipinos abroad, amplifying the voice of the Filipino diaspora and advancing our cause on foreign shores."
To the Pamana ng Pilipino awardees, Ang said their talent and industry "have brought honor to our country through excellence and distinction."
"You inspire us with your achievements and remind us of the greatness inherent in the Filipino. Through your work, whether in arts, science, business or sports, you have shown the world the boundless potential of our people," Ang said.
"You carry our flag with pride, and in doing so, you uplift the spirit of every Filipino who dreams of making a mark on the global stage," he added.
Ang also lauded the Kaanib ng Bayan Awardees, "our foreign friends and partners who have chosen to invest in the future of the Philippines and in the lives of the Filipino people."
"You are a testament to the power of shared purpose and cross-cultural solidarity. Through your generosity and support, you have strengthened our bonds and helped uplift communities, bringing about tangible changes that echo our shared aspirations for a better, more inclusive world," Ang said.
Ang said the CFO was committed "not only to addressing the issue of brain drain but also to promoting a dynamic transformation into brain gain."
"Our goal is to establish a thriving exchange of knowledge and resources between the Philippines and the global community. We aim to harness the skills and expertise of our talented individuals, encouraging them to share their insights and innovations across borders," he said.
