Mayor Jed Patrick E. Mabilog congratulated the winners of PINOY ICON 2013 during the awarding ceremonies at SM City June 9.
The award gave due honor and credit to modern day heroes of Iloilo whose works have contributed and have made impact to the Ilonggo community.
The recognition aimed to bring public awareness of the amazing works and contributions of modern day heroes and that the Ilonggo community’s lives may be enriched realizing that there are still many unsung heroes worth emulating.
Mabilog was chosen as Melchora Aquino Awardee for Civic Works in 2010.
This year’s awardees are Justice Josue Bellosillo (Emilio Aguinaldo Awardee for Government Services) for his exemplary service in the different branches of the country’s justice system; Ed Defensor (Juan Luna Awardee for Visual Arts); Dr. Ma. Socorro Martinez (Jose Rizal Awardee for Medicine) for her humanitarian work in giving solace, help and inspiration to children afflicted with cancer; Monsignor Jose Marie Delgado (GOMBURZA Awardee for Religious Service) for being a shining example on how to serve well and good the religious needs of people; Antonio Meloto Jr. (Melchora Aquino Awardee for Civic Works) surely one of the greatest Filipinos today, founder of Gawad Kalinga which has provided home and shelter to thousands of Filipino homeless families; Marcel Milliam (Francisco Baltazar Awardee for Literature), Palanca awardee who kept the flame of Hiligaynon writing alive and for his campaign among the young to love and patronize the native language; Mary Ann Gumban (Apolinario Mabini Awardee for Education) for the many innovations to make business education more dynamic and profitable for students; Jose Mari Chan, represented by his son, Michael, for his outstanding achievements in the field of music, not only locally but internationally as well. (with reports from Ed Defensor)