NBA coach Erik Spoelstra, designer Monique Lhuillier among 2012 PHL Presidential Awardees

December 7, 2012 8:30am

Basketball coach Erik Spoelstra, Black Eyed Peas member Allan Pineda a.k.a. apl.de.ap, and fashion designer Monique Lhuillier led the 29 recipients of this year’s Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas.

In Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, President Benigno Aquino III said seeing the names of those granted the prestigious honor reminded him “just how blessed with talent” Filipinos are.

“Whether homegrown or raised abroad, the people in our presence today have become true ambassadors of the skill and creativity of the Filipino,” Aquino said in his speech which was posted on the Official Gazette.

“More than that, our awardees today have shown that despite great distances, our people are united in the spirit of bayanihan—the idea that the true measure of our humanity is defined not by what we have built alone, but rather, by what we have achieved in solidarity with our fellowmen,” he continued.

The Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas are given to Filipinos abroad “who by their exceptional achievements or humanitarian efforts, have given form and substance to Filipino excellence and the time-honored values of pakikipag-kapwa, pagtutulungan, and pagkakaisa.”

The awards are also conferred to foreign individuals and organizations that assist Filipino communities overseas.

There are four categories in the awards: The Pamana ng Pilipino Award, the Kaanib ng Bayan Award, the Banaag Award, and the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Award

Spoelstra, Pineda and Lhuillier are among 11 recipients of the Pamana ng Pilipino award, which are given to Filipino individuals or organizations that have exemplified “the talent and industry of the Filipino” through their respective professions.

The other awardees for the category are:
1. Al Mahdi, May Jane Alvero
2. Amaya, Delia Rodriguez
3. Bernal, Samuel B.
4. Fernando, Antonio III T.
5. Gilles, Almira Astudillo
6. Mabanglo, Ruth Elynia S.
7. Ortoll, Jorge Z.
8. Velcek, Francisca T.

Thirteen people were conferred the Banaag Award, which is given to Filipino individuals or organizations
that have helped communities in the country or abroad.

The awardees are:
1. Alpay, Carlito E.
2. Argel, Maria Imelda L.
3. Avendaño, Tomas P.
4. Castaños, Rafael S.
5. Filipiniana Europa V.Z.W.
6. Filipino Community of Seattle
7. Filipino Digerati Association
8. Micablo, Luzviminda S.
9. Perez, Alfonso Jr., S.
10. Quema, Eric Michael B.
11. Santos, Robert N.
12. Tsai, Ma. Luzviminda C.
13. Stichting Bayanihan

Aquman Kapampangan UK, Manuel A. Cacdac and Christopher M. Guerrero were given the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) Award, conferred to Filipino groups or individuals for contributing to reconstruction, progress and development in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Gonen Haba and Christian Löehlein snagged the Kaanib ng Bayan Award, given to foreign individuals or organizations that have helped communities in the country or Filipino communities abroad. - VVP, GMA News