Photo Courtesy of Manila City Hall Reporters' Association (MACHRA)/MANILA BULLETIN
Around 40 companies and individuals were recognized during the Gawad Manileño awarding ceremony at the Metropolitan Theater, Ermita, Manila, on Thursday, June 23.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, together with Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto, led the annual awarding rites honoring people, companies, and organizations for their significant contributions to the city's progress.
"Pinag-uukulan natin ng pansin ngayon mga ambag ng mga indibidual, samahan at korporasyon sa nagdaang isang taon. Bibigyan natin ng pagkilala ang mga pinagtagumpayan nila sa kani-kanilang larangan (We are acknowledging the contributions of individuals, organizations and corporations in the past year. We will give due recognition to those who have succeeded in their respective fields)," the mayor said.
She added that the awarding ceremony was in conjunction with the 452nd celebration of Manila Day on June 24.
During the event, the city government awarded 20 business and real property taxpayers for being model corporate citizens in Manila.
Among the cited business taxpayers were Landbank of the Philippines, Golden Arches Development Corporated, Philippine Seven Corporation, Unilever Philippines Inc., Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association Inc., Manila North Harbour Port Inc., Puregold Price Club Inc., Asian Terminals Inc., Mercury Drug Corporation, and International Container Terminal Services Inc.
Meanwhile, the awarded real property taxpayers were Landbank of the Philippines, La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation, Petron Corporation, Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Megaworld Corporation, International Container Terminal Services, Inc., SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Unilever Philippines, Inc., Manila North Harbour Port, Inc., and Asian Terminals, Inc.
Five corporations -- Jolly Management, Sanford Marketing Corporation, Ace Hardware Philippines, Inc., Topserve Service Solution Incorporation, and Acabar Marketing International Corporated -- were commended for continuously providing job opportunities to Manilans.
Other awardees included actor Joaquin Andre Domagoso, son of former Mayor Francisco "Isko" Moreno Domagoso; and mass media personality Victor de Leon Lima.
Former Manila Mayor Jose "Lito" Atienza Jr. received the highest award, the "Gawad Gat Andres Bonifacio", for his commitment and undying support to the City of Manila.