We are facing challenging times and changing norms. Emerging from a three-year long pandemic where lives and livelihood were upended, there are still a lot of us who are struggling from social, mental, or economic hardships. The world is not in a stable condition, too, as nations face a myriad of problems — from climate change, rising fuel costs and spiraling inflation, geopolitical crisis, etc. It seems the future is bleaker for the next generation.
But amid all these negativity, there are people and organizations that remain steadfast in their mission to uplift the lives of others. Even with their own limitations and tribulations, they go out of their way to serve the underserved, to reach the unreachable, and to motivate a weary nation in need of inspiration and hope.
Last night, March 28, 2023, at The Manila Hotel, the Manila Bulletin hosted UPLIFT 2023, the second edition of its “Unite, Perform, Lead, Inspire, Focus, Trend” award, which celebrates and highlights stories that inspire and enliven the Filipino spirit. For UPLIFT 2023, here are the awardees in 10 categories: TUPAD Program of the Department of Labor and Employment (Public Service); The SM Group (Big Business); Zennor Hydroponics Farm (MSMEs); Dolly de Leon (Entertainment); Carlos Yulo (Sports); Development of Clonal Propagation Protocols for Native Forest and Fruit-Bearing Tree Species of Quirino and Nearby Provinces by Quirino State University (Science and Technology); City Government of Lapu Lapu (E-Commerce by GCash, Excellence in Adoption to Government Initiatives); Jocelyn Mamar (Agriculture); Chef Rafael Jadaleza Jr. (Arts, Culture, and Education); and Lifeline 16-911 Medical Inc. (Healthcare).
The Manila Bulletin editors gathered names of individuals and organizations who have inspired the nation in 2022. From the editors’ desks, the list of nominees then moved to an arbitration committee composed of the Manila Bulletin’s publisher and senior editors. Then, a board of judges, chaired by our president Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, joined by Atty. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, Dr. Jaime Laya, Philip Cu-Unjieng, and David Guerrero, decided on the final list of awardees.
This year’s UPLIFT awardees give us hope, and are paragons of what we see as good news that are worthy to be brought front and center to our readers across the islands.
In the coming days, we are featuring the stories of these awardees. There’s a government agency that helps displaced, seasonal, and unemployed workers; an initiative by a state university to preserve endangered native tree species in the Philippines; and a local government unit that gave importance to digitalization, to the benefit of its constituents.
There’s also an actor that made waves across the globe for her strong portrayal of a Filipina; a chef that trumpets unique local cuisine to the world; a scientist that seeks to provide livelihood to hundreds of farmers; and an athlete who is the pride and joy of our nation.
The SM Group also provides an uplifting story for us, with its “United for Climate: Sustainability Forum.” There’s also good news in the world of MSMEs. Zennor Hydroponics Farm in Palauig, Zambales presents a new way of growing food — soilless farming. And for healthcare, we have Lifeline 16-911 Medical Inc., with its blue and white ambulances, often seen across the metro, zipping through traffic and saving lives.
May all their stories continue to inspire us in our deepest tribulations, and may their lives serve as motivation for us to become a better Filipino. The Manila Bulletin honors them and wishes them well as they continue their journey to uplift the nation.