ABOUT a week ago, Mayor Honey Lacuna feted “Outstanding Manilans” who have excelled and made significant contributions to the city of Manila through their chosen fields.
The awarding ceremony dubbed “Gawad Manileño 2024” was held at the Metropolitan Theater on June 17, 2024, and attended by city officials, City Councilors as well as members of Congress and the media.
Business tycoon Ramon S. Ang, also known as RSA, president and CEO of San Miguel Corporation, received the “Gawad Gat Andres Bonifacio,” the highest distinction being given each year, as the highlight of the “Araw ng Maynila” celebration on the occasion of the city’s 453rd founding anniversary on June 24.
Lacuna was joined on stage by Vice Mayor Yul Servo and her Chief of Staff Joshue Santiago as she bestowed the special award to RSA, whom the mayor lauded for his great contribution to the progress not only of Manila but the entire country as well.
“Ipinagkakaloob natin ang Gawad Gat Andres Bonifacio na siyang pinakamataas na parangal para sa isang Manilenyo na higit na nakapag-ambag ng sarili, di lamang para sa Maynila kundi para sa buong bansa,” the lady mayor said of RSA.
She added: …”ang Gawad Manilenyo… nagtatampok sa mga mabuting huwaran nating mga Manilenyo. Sana ay masundan at matularan natin ang kanilang mga pagsisikap, pagpupunyagi at tagumpay para sa sarili, sa pamilya, sa pamayanan at sa bayan.”
Among others, RSA, who finished mechanical engineering at the Far Eastern University, was cited for the SMC’s having been one of the most active private sector partners during the pandemic. His company’s pandemic response package was estimated at P14 billion with those affected by COVID and frontliners benefitting from it.
Last year, under his leadership, the SMC ranked 43rd out of 700 companies that made it to the list of Fobres’ Annual World’s Best Employers. It was also included in the list of Time Magazine’s World Best Companies.
For his part, RSA thanked Mayor Honey and the officialdom of Manila for the award, saying he is honored to receive it from “the city that raised me.”
“Growing up in Tondo taught me so much about life, about sticking together and helping one another. Those lessons have stayed with me, and they drive everything we do at San Miguel to make life better for many Filipinos,” Ang said.
This, he explained, was why he initiated the putting up of Better World community centers in Tondo and Smokey Mountain where “more than just providing meals and education, these centers equip families with the tools they need to uplift themselves and strengthen their communities.”
“It’s our way of saying thank you to Tondo, and to this great city. This award means a lot to me because it recognizes not only what I’ve done, but the values Manila instilled in me,” RSA added.
“I want to share this with every single person at San Miguel who is dedicated to helping build a brighter future for the Philippines. This is for you. Let’s keep working together, supporting each other, so that every child and family in Manila, and all across the country, can thrive. The possibilities are endless when we join hands,” the businessman said.
That RSA received the highest distinction is no longer a surprise. What is more surprising is seeing how grounded, friendly, and nice RSA was to everyone at the MET.
He proved himself to be a total rockstar that evening, as everyone took turns to get a chance to have their photos taken with him, as soon as the awarding was over.
The whole time, RSA gamely posed and showed warmth toward every person who congratulated him, who shook his hand and who took selfies with him.
Before that, I was seated on the same row as him and observed how playful and loving he was toward his grandchildren who were seated next to him.
At one time, he even stood up from his chair just to take photos of the kids and he seemed to enjoy what he was doing.
RSA was seated right beside Mayor Honey. When the lady mayor was going back to her chair after going on stage to present an award, RSA was quick to stand up and pull down the folded seat for her. He showed one and all that chivalry is not dead.
He was such a gentleman and an epitome of humility and simplicity, considering his status in life and society.
In my own humble opinion, Mayor Honey indeed, gave the city’s top distinction to the right person. RSA is truly someone from whom people can draw so much inspiration.
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A very pleased patient would like to thank Dr. Erika Jean Salvame, a leading eye doctor at the Manila Doctor’s Hospital.
Ditto with her assistant Mira Flaviano and optha technician Jonathan Lim and secretary Diana Dimayuga of Vision Center also from the said hospital.
They were all lauded for their highly efficient, very swift and utmost show of concern for patients who seek medical help.
The thankful patient particularly praised Dr. Salvame for her ‘personalized’ care for her patients by fully and patiently explaining everything that a patient would want to know about his condition, using layman’s terms.
The happy patient thanked Dr. Tony Leachon for recommending Dr. Salvame. Both of them are kind and very caring toward their patients, unlike other doctors who make it obvious that they are not into entertaining questions or explaining things in full detail.
They are a source of pride for the Manila Doctors’ Hospital. May all doctors be like them.
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