Today is the deadline for filing nominations for the 6th Dr. Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence, a biennial event organized by The Manila Times and the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran Inc. The awards was envisioned by Dante A. Ang, former chairman of The Times and now chairman of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), to recognize the Chinese-Filipinos or Tsinoys who have excelled in their chosen profession and avocation and have contributed to national development.
The wealthiest, most successful Filipinos are of Chinese descent, but it may be unknown to many that Tsinoys have made significant achievements in many other fields, Ang said. That is precisely the reason why the awards are named after the Philippine national hero, because he was a Tsinoy.
There are nine categories in the awards—medicine, arts and culture, business, management and entrepreneurship, public service, sports, science and technology, education and community service.
Some of the previous years’ awardees include Alfredo Yao, Jullie Yap Daza, Gerie Chua, Robert Go, Paulino Tan, Dr. Willie Ong, Benjamin Lim, Jose Sy, Angsin Tanguibao, Jose Mari Chan, Tony Tan Caktiong, Teresita Sy-Coson, Dr. Michael Tan, Francis Chua, Josiah Go and many others.
The organizers have also given special awards and recognition for the lifetime achievement of Tsinoys. Some of the past awardees include Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, George Ty and others. In the last awards, a group was also recognized for its lifetime work, The Wushu Federation of the Philippines.
This year, awards night is on June 14 and will be held at the Kaisa Para sa Kaunlaran in Intramuros, Manila.
Chief Justice Reynato Puno will be the guest speaker that evening.
For more information about the Dr. Jose Rizal Awards for Excellence, call 524-5664 local 121.
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