The invited guest of honor, business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, did not show up, but the 75th (diamond) Charter Day Anniversary program of Bacolod City went on Saturday at the public plaza.

Pangilinan only sent his representatives, Rene Meily and Paul Gueco, and reportedly told Mayor Monico Puentevella that he could not come due to an equally important endeavor abroad.

Two outstanding city employees and 20 Bacoleños, who have excelled in their respective fields, were given recognition by Puentevella and the Sangguniang Panlungsod members and this was one of the highlights of Saturday’s 75th Charter Day Anniversary program.

Pangilinan extended his congratulations to the people of Bacolod and to Puentevella and the Sanggunian officials on the city's 75th Charter Anniversary.

His message, read by Meily, said the resilience of Bacolodnons is extraordinary as they refuse to remain battered when a crisis hit the city and Province of Negros Occidental in the 1980's (due to the Don Juan tragedy).

And this was the reason that this (MassKara) festival was born, to make people smile again. The country has faced many disasters like flood and typhoon in Luzon, earthquake in the Visayas and war in Zamboanga, the message said.

It also said the people of Bacolod and their Mayor have shown everybody in the Philippines that they are able to rise again from these disasters or crisis.

Two outstanding employees of Bacolod City, Cora Lapag and Gloria Parreño, received plaques and cash awards from the city during the 75th Charter Day Anniversary Saturday.

The Brilyante Award also paid tribute to trailblazers who have brought with them in their success the name of the city, as well as, personalities who helped elevate the status of Bacolod in the field of sports, medicine, culture, journalism and community development.

For his innovation, originality and for coining the name “MassKara” the late artist Ely Santiago was first to be awarded by Puentevella who, during his first few days as the City Mayor, pushed the idea of crediting Santiago as the “man behind MassKara”.

The Brilyante Awards for Sports were given to silver medalist and Smart Gilas-Pilipinas member Jeff Chan, sharpshooter James Yap of the San Mig Coffee Mixers, WBO Light Flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, WBO Minimumweight titleholder Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo and Super Bantamweight champ and Brgy. Punta Taytay resident Genesis “Azukal” Servania.

For his persistent effort to eradicate drug addiction not only in the city but in the whole country, addictionist and psychiatrist Dr. AntonIo Gauzon received the Brilyante Award for Medicine. Gauzon is also the president of the Philippine College of Addiction Medicine.

Veteran columnists Ely delos Santos, Rolando Espina and Negros Daily Bulletin’s Ruperto Toga, Jr. and William Henry Streegan were also acknowledged for their contribution in Bacolod media and as “pillars of journalism” in the city.

The 2006 Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awardee for Humanitarian Service Antonio Meloto, Jr. was cited for his undying service to build homes for the underprivileged. His project, Gawad Kalinga is now being implemented in almost 2,000 communities all over the Philippines and has reached the countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Cambodia.

Special citations were given to former St. John’s Institute standout Archer Kib Montalbo; ex-Stingers Luis Alfonso “LA” Revilla and Luigi dela Paz and Clark Daniel Bautista.

Montalbo, Revilla and Dela Paz are members of the 2013 UAAP champions De La Salle Green Archers, while Bautista is the co-captain of the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers alongside Jeric Teng.

Monico Cup stalwart and 2010 No. 1 draft pick of the Philippine Basketball Association Severino, Baclao was also given a special citation award.

In addition, Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Stephen Palami and Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta were also credited for their support to reignite the province’s passion for football during the finals of the Football Peace Cup last Tuesday.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Ricardo Garcia was
“merited” for his contribution to Philippine sports and for letting Bacolod host the Batang Pinoy Games next month.

On the other hand, Puentevella expressed elation over the success of the 34th MassKara Festival and 75th Charter Day Anniversary. He thanked God for the good weather and peaceful celebration, as well as, past and present officials for their contribution in making Bacolod what it is today, he said.*CGS

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