BAGUIO CITY – The grand Benguet Awards honored locals who made significant contributions to the province this Wednesday, November 20 at the Baguio Palace Hotel. The Benguet Awards is part of the month-long celebration of the Adivay Festival.
Spearheaded by the Benguet Awards Committee, the awards event has three main categories: the Outstanding iBenguet, the Everlasting Award, and the Adivay Global Icons.
“The nominees in these awards are validated and evaluated by the members of the committee…they are a testament that commitment and dedication can lead to success at the highest level,” Benguet Awards Committee Chairperson Atty. Sunny G. Sacla underscored.
The receivers of the Outstanding iBenguet awards were First Filipina World Muaythai Champion Islay Erika Bomogao, CHED MIMAROPA Director IV Jimmy G. Catanes PhD, CECE, Mixed Martial Arts World Champion Joshua F. Pacio, late Local Musical Artist Raul S. Beray, Cordilleran Boxing Legend Reynaldo “Rey” L. Tam, and Farmer Entrepreneur Shawnie Dhale Balting Bitso. The Outstanding iBenguet Award recognizes i-Benguets who exhibited extraordinary achievements that are worthy of inspiration and challenge to the youth and at the same time promote the province of Benguet locally and internationally.
Megapines Realty and Development, Inc. President and Philanthropist Fernando So Tiong on the other hand was the lone receiver of the Everlasting Award. The Everlasting Award recognizes Individuals or groups and entities that rendered voluntary social economic and infrastructure services benefitting the province.
Meanwhile, the Adivay Global Icons are the Benguet Organization UK (United Kingdom), the Benguet Society of British Columbia (Canada), and the Kabenguetan Dance Troupe (Canada). The Adivay Global Icons honors i-Benguets who have contributed to the advancement of the province and promotion of Filipino communities abroad.
Special Citation awardees were Alvin Morales, Augustin Dao-anis, Charles Bencio a.k.a Pidang Sayote, Geraldine S. Orasing, and Wilbert Wanas.
2024 Adivay Acoustics Champion Fragaria, and 2nd place winner Fritz & Prynne also graced the ceremony to perform all throughout the program.
Benguet Congressman Eric Go Yap represented by Jirah Siddayao also prepared a message for the event, saying, “With your awards today, you have shown that it is possible to rise above challenges and exceed expectations, it is possible to excel despite struggles, it is possible to be the best version of ourselves if we embrace the potential within us.”
Benguet Governor Melchor Diclas likewise shared in his speech, “Adda ti maysa nga nangeg ko kenni Dr. Guinaran idi, kunana, uray kano nu ad-addu ti award mo international nu haan da ka nga ikkan ti award ti lugar mo nga mismo, haan nga marecognize nga nasayaat,” further emphasizing the importance of recognizing their “kakailian”.
Hon. Alexander Fianza, Vice Chairperson of the Benguet Awards Committee likewise expressed his thanks to the awardees for their efforts in contributing to Benguet’s overall development.
The Benguet Awards started in 2015 when it was institutionalized by a Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ordinance No.15-168, otherwise known as the Benguet Awards Ordinance. This paved the way for Benguet locals to be recognized for their contributions to society. By Heleina Taeza
