The Quezon City Association of Filipino- Chinese Businessmen, Inc. (QCAFCBI) has cited 10 "pandemic heroes" or individuals and non-government organizations (NGO) who inspired and saved lives of the people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The awardees each received a trophy and cash prizes during the QCAFCBI's second Dragon Star Awards held at the Novotel Manila Quezon City on Sunday, June 26. The awarding ceremony was conducted as part of the association's 33rd anniversary celebration.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, incoming District 1 Representative Arjo Atayde, QCAFCBI President Joaquin Co, former QC Mayors Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr., Brigido Simon Jr., and other city officials attended the event.
Among those who received the awards were Ana Patricia Non, the first Filipino to lead the establishment of a community pantry in the country, and Kathrina Bianca Macababad, one of the nurses in the Philippine General Hospital who saved the lives of 35 babies when the hospital caught fire in May 2021.
Also honored were Roy Maceda, who co-organized the "BeSeekLeta for Every Juan" initiative that provided free bicycles to citizens and medical frontliners; Dr. Glenn Angeles, co-organizer of the emergency quarantine facilities that helped decongest hospitals; and Lou Sabrina Ongkiko, who formulated and developed a "critical learning continuity plan" for students in a school in QC through pilot online classes done through a social media messaging platform.
Other awardees were Dr. Hilda Co-Ong, for organizing nation blood donation programs and other campaign drives, and Dr. Maria Asuncion Silvestre who worked with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Kalusugan ng Mag-ina, Inc., a non-profit organization that focuses on the health of newborn babies and their mothers.
Also recognized were the Salamat PH, an organization who provided meals, personal protective equipment, and bicycles to frontliners, Tzu Chi Foundation and Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FCCCII), who helped the government in the campaign against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Joy Belmonte received a plaque of appreciation for her support to the association while former Mayors Sonny Belmonte and Brigido Simon Jr. were given special awards.
For her part, the mayor expressed gratitude to the association for helping the local government in various community programs, especially during the fight against Covid-19. She also thanked the awardees.
"Their lives and accomplishments serve to remind us that it matters not whether you are reach or poor, as long as you have a heart that beats for others you can make the seemingly impossible within reach," she said.
The QCAFCBI, founded in 1989, is an organization of businessmen residing or engaged in various lines of trade and business in Quezon City that promotes local and international commerce, sought opportunities of expansion of trade, aiming to enhance goodwill and foster healthy and lasting business environment for all.
The Dragon Star Awards is a QCAFCB's program that aims to recognize deserving individuals and non-government organizations in the city who achieved distinctions and excellence in their respective fields of endeavor and helped improve lives of others. It was established in 2019.