President Duterte is set to present the 2021 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) to 56 overseas Filipinos and foreign-based organizations, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) announced.
In a statement, the CFO said the awardees were from 20 countries and territories. However, details about the awarding ceremonies are yet to be disclosed due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Institutionalized in 1991 through Executive Order No. 498, the PAFIOO is a biennial search for overseas-based organizations or individuals who have dedicated their work in the service of Filipinos in the Philippines or abroad; selflessly supported relief, rehabilitation, and development programs in the home country; or excelled in their field of work or profession.
The awardees were selected from a total of 117 nominations for four awards that came from 31 countries and endorsed by 39 Philippine Foreign Service Posts across Asia, North and South America, Europe, and Australia.
The four award categories are the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL), Pamana ng Pilipino, Banaag, and Kaanib ng Bayan.
The LINKAPIL Award is conferred on overseas Filipino individuals and organizations for exceptional or significant contributions to the reconstruction, progress, and development of the Philippines. The 2021 recipients are:
- Batangas Association United Kingdom (BAUK) from London, United Kingdom
- Roxanne Racquel A. Cajigas from New York, United States of America
- Kayumanggi Chorale, Inc. (KCI) from New York, USA
- Kiefer-Vargas, Vivian from Qatar
- Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers - Qatar Chapter (PICE-Qatar) from Doha, Qatar
- The Filipino Association in the Isle of Man (FAIM) from Isle of Man
- The Filipino Catholic Society of the Diocese of Calgary (FCSDC) from Calgary, Canada
The Pamana ng Pilipino Award is conferred on Filipinos overseas who have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of their work or profession. Recipients of the 2021 Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award are:
- Russ Patrick P. Alcedo from Toronto, Canada
- Glenda Lynna Anne T. Bonifacio from Calgary, Canada
- Josefino C. Comiso from Washington, D.C., USA
- Sheila Maria A. Conejos from Singapore
- Danilo M. Favor from London, United Kingdom
- Glenn F. Fernandez from Beijing, China
- Laura D. Garcia from New York, USA
- Pamela D. Gotangco from Switzerland
- Aurtenciano R. Miranda, Jr. from Rome, Italy
- Ronaldo B. Nilo from Doha, Qatar
- Caroline B. Ong from Shanghai, China
- Glenn D. Pascual from San Francisco, USA
- Lord Leomer B. Pomperada from New York, USA
- Karen Graciles L. Remo from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Albert Remus R. Rosana from Calgary, Canada
- Leorey N. Saligan from Washington, D.C., USA
- Walter S. Villagonzalo from Melbourne, Australia
The Banaag Award is conferred on overseas Filipino individuals and organizations for their contributions that have significantly benefitted a sector or advanced the cause of overseas Filipino communities. Recipients of the 2021 Presidential Banaag Award are:
- Mario A. Balboa from Saudi Arabia
- Bella Aurora P. Belmonte from Los Angeles, USA
- Ariel C. Bernardo from Seoul, South Korea
- Roy G. Betinol from Santiago, Chile
- Vanda Marie M. Brady from Ireland
- Alex Chiu (+) Posthumous Award from Toronto, Canada
- Aurora B. Dacanay from Calgary, Canada
- Nancy S. De Jesus from Paris, France
- Rose Cheryl P. Eclarinal-Murdock from London, United Kingdom
- Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc. (FYM Foundation) from Toronto, Canada
- Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (FASGI) from Los Angeles, USA
- Fernandico Q. Gonong, Jr. from Los Angeles, USA
- Igorot UK Charity (Igo-UK) from London, United Kingdom
- Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento (KUNST Pilipino) from Berlin, Germany
- Venecio V. Legaspi from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- London Filipino Centre CIC (LFC-CIC) from London, United Kingdom
- Bennette E. Misalucha from Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
- National Alliance to Nurture the Aged and the Youth (NANAY) from Washington D.C., USA
- Rolando M. Nicolas from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Linda Nietes-Little from Los Angeles, USA
- Philippine Bayanihan Association of Alberta (PBAA) from Calgary, Canada
- Philippine-American Friendship Community, Inc. (PAFCOM) from New York, USA
- Dennis N. Rata from Kuwait
- Jannelle So-Perkins from Los Angeles, USA
- Cristy M. Vicentina from Singapore
- Elija Paul G. Villanueva from London, United Kingdom
Lastly, the Kaanib ng Bayan Award is conferred on foreign individuals and organizations for their exceptional or significant contributions to Philippine reconstruction, progress, and development that significantly benefitted a sector or community in the Philippines, or for advancing the cause of overseas Filipino communities. The recipients of the 2021 Presidential Kaanib ng Bayan Award are:
- Issa Mohammad Ahmad from Amman, Jordan
- Yasonna H. Laoly from Indonesia
- Montero Medical Missions (MMM) from Washington, D.C., USA
- Philippine Bayanihan Society – Singapore (PBSS) from Singapore
- Temasek Foundation, Ltd. (TF)from Singapore
Meanwhile, a special citation was given to the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) from Los Angeles, USA.