TUGUEGARAO City– The provincial government of Cagayan has announced the winners of the Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano 2024 and two outstanding Cagayano awardees, recognizing exceptional abilities and contributions to society.
The announcement was made last June 11 during a press briefing in this city.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba launched the search in 2017 in a bid to recognize Cagayanos who made “exemplary contributions to the progress, honor, and glory to the province” on a national and international scale as the centerpiece of the year’s Aggao Nac Cagayan event.
Lawyer Mabel Villarica-Mamba, principal proponent and chief advocate of the search, described the Dangal Awards as an “excellent forum for showcasing the Cagayanos’ world-class integrity and excellence to the rest of the country and across the globe.”
“Our winners are exceptional in their own right. To have received this lifetime achievement medal, you must have done something worthwhile in your life. They serve as inspiration and role models for the youth, as well as ourselves and the current generation of Cagayanos,” Mrs. Mamba said.
The search is a platform for presenting a Cagayano’s brilliance, whose honesty, tenacity, passion, service, and noble ideals are his pride, she added.
She also said the search was for people who have lived in the province for at least ten years.
The nominees must have made significant contributions to nation-building, served their communities in exceptional ways, went above and beyond the call of duty, and acted as an inspiration to their peers, particularly their fellow Cagayanos.
The nominees were chosen based on three criteria: professional achievement and integrity in their field of endeavor (40 points), contribution to the community or province (40 points), and service above and beyond the call of duty (20 points).
Meanwhile, Mia Ventura, chairperson of the board of judges, remarked that it was a tough
challenge for them to choose the honorees given their credible credentials. She also said she considered
Two Natatanging Cagayano awardees and ten Gintong Medalya Awardees made it to the winners ‘roster of the prestigious search, which will be conferred on June 28 at the Cagayan Sports Coliseum in conjunction with the celebration of the 441st Aggao Nac Cagayan.
Justice Ricardo De Rivera Rosario and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian were chosen as the Natatanging Cagayano awardees.
The Gintong Medalya Awardees were Dr. Leila Areola (Education), lawyer Leovillo Dela Cruz Agustin for law, Dr. Pastor Cabalza Tumaliuan Jr. for government service, Police LT. Col. Jhonalyn Quilang Tecbobolan for Peace and Order and Women Empowerment, Dr. Emmanuel Salvador Lingan Barias and Dr. Alfredo Arugay Paguirigan for medicine, Dr. Chita Cabrera Ramos for music, culture, and arts, Police Maj. Baby Rose Pajarillo Cajulao for community development, and Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Sancho Alvarado Mabborang for government service, and Dr. Rey Edreze De la Cruz for arts and culture.
Mrs. Mamba said honor, excellence, and the values of genuine goodness are the essential norms that make a Cagayano worthy of the Dangal ng Lahing Cagayano award.