Quezon City’s hometown heroes named
The Dragon Star Awards - Hometown Heroes paid tribute last Monday night to honor deserving individuals and NGOs of Quezon City which in the previous year achieved distinction and excellence in their respective fields and helped improved the lives of others generously without expectation of public recognition.
The first annual Dragon Star Awards, organized by the Quezon City Association of Filipino-Chinese Businessmen headed by their president Joseph Lim Bon Huan presented to 14 outstanding individuals and groups the plaque of recognition and cash money of P20,000 each for their efforts
to help the community without expecting in return.
Mayor Herbert Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte are the guest of honor but they were represented by the mayor’s brother Hero Bautista who thanked the organizer for bringing to the Quezon City community their support and talents to help the community especially poor families.
The Hometown Heroes is the highest honor given to persons and NGOs living or based in Quezon City, which, in their unique and revolutionary ways, have shown integrity, idealism and dedication in uplifting the lives of people in their communities in Quezon City.
The awards has seven categories — community leadership; public service; government service; arts and culture; fashion and lifestyle; journalism and literature; social responsibility; youth leadership.
For this year, there are 14 individuals and NGO recipients namely:
• Nolly Bogate,Gerlado Jumawan and Tzu Chi Foundation, for educational and cultural growth;
• Norfil Foundation, Botocan blood donor and Dr. Juan Sanchez, for social development;
• Teresita Escamillan, Robert Joe Lagnason Jr., volunteer parents and Paul Emil Gruba for social and peace building.
• Julia Denise Ongchoco for innovative technology and Fatima Garcia Lorenzon for health and wellness services.
Volunteer Parents representative said their group assisted every concerned parent in the community on the proper way to improved learning activities of their kids.
Dr. Juan Sanchez and his “hospital on wheels, one of the recipients said they were able to hold surgeries inside the hospital on wheels as we are expecting that in 10 years time we will have hospital on wheels in every region.
“This is not just about trophies, plaques or cash prizes. I believe that when a person believes in himself, the rest of his destiny will fall into place. He only needs to trust his own abilities and for him to accomplish great things, he must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe,” Joseph Lim Bon Huan said in closing.
“As an organization of businessmen, we would like to encourage Quezon City residents and groups to be involved in improving the lives of the people in their communities. We want to bring the promise of tomorrow, that there is hope for those believe in their dreams, that they have the power to change the lives of other people,“he said.