Best of the Philippines

Sen. Richard Gordon graciously accepted Friday night the prestigious General Emilio Aguinaldo Award, Cavite's highest honor accorded to civilians, in ceremonies held at the Tagaytay International Convention Center in Tagaytay City. Continue below.

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Gordon was chosen as one of the 10 recipients of the awards for his exemplary service to the community in his various roles as Olongapo City mayor, founding chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), long time officer of the Philippine National Red Cross, tourism secretary and senator.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award," said Gordon, who currently serves the chairman of the PNRC. "With this, I hope to foster the spirit of volunteerism through which we, as a nation, can rise from adversity and difficult challenges."

The senator was feted for "overcoming great odds in the Philippines" when he:

- Led the conversion of the United States' naval base in Subic Bay into a Bustling free trade zone in the 1990's

- Inspired an army of 8,000 volunteers to preserve the Subic base after the Philippine Senate rejected a treaty extension in 1992, thereby ending a century of US military presence in the Philippine.

- Led numerous relief and rescue operations for over 25 years to aid victims of disasters and conflicts, as seen when he negotiated the release of 18 Abu Sayyaf captives without ransom in 2000.

Aside from Gordon, the other awardees were Efren Abueg (literary arts), Amado Angat (education), Katrina Belamide (music and entertainment), Rodrigo Camia (cooperative service), Capt. Asistio Castaneda Jr. (maritime service), Juan Sajid Imao (sculptural arts), Dr. Gloria Remulla-Lopez (medicine), Evelyn Pantig (tourism service) and former senator Ramon Revellia Sr. (cinematic arts).

Governor Ayong Maliksi hailed the selection of the 10 in the ceremony which saw Environment Secretary Mike Defensor serve as guest of honor and principal speaker.

"We pay tribute to them for their outstanding achievement, their exemplary lives and their individual contributions to social, cultural, educational and economic development of Cavite," Maliksi said. "They have done us proud by their accomplishments," he added.

October 19, 2005

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