Exemplar Awardees - Nick Torres, Metrobank Foundation, Sec. Arthur Yap, Sec Ace Durano, Efren Penaflorida, Rep. Cynthia Villar, Joey Concepcion, GM Al Cusi, DG Lilia de Lima, Mayor Fred Lim, and Edu Manzano (Photos by SANDEE MASIGAN)

“God’s Christmas gift to us has qualities that make it unique. First, it is the most expensive gift we will ever receive. It is priceless. Jesus paid for it with His own life. Second, it’s the only gift that we’ll ever receive that will last forever. And finally, it’s one we’ll use every day of our lives.”

Rick Warren in “The Purpose of Christmas”

Our Bulong Pulungan media forum which was born in 1986 and is still meeting every Tuesday at our “resident hotel,” Sofitel, honored outstanding achievers in government and private sector last Tuesday with “Exemplar” awards. We go through this exercise once a year and allow our regular forum members to cast their “ballots” for their choices.

The Bulong core group of journalists from different publications then used the results of the balloting to pick the “best of the best.” If we had a top story of the year, it would have been the death and funeral of Tita Cory, and the emergence of a new political force in her only son, Senator Noynoy, but we decided to stay clear of politics and focus instead on individuals who made a difference in our lives this year. 

Crafted by Angelieglass, the glass citations are quite distinctive. Each has an angel with a colored heart – red for “Exemplars,” pearl for “Hall of Famers,” (those cited as “Exemplars” for three years, and gold for golden hearted individuals. Last year our Golden Heart Awardee was former congressman Mark Jimenez of the Hulog ng Langit foundation, and this year we cited First Gentleman Mike Arroyo for helping bring back doctors to the barrios with his successful scholarship program and other medical projects and Metrobank Foundation for continuing their search for excellence (and handsomely rewarding the outstanding ones).

Bulong also cited US Ambassador Kristie Kenney for her “extra ordinary people skills” which have endeared her to all of us. She leaves by the end of the year for a well-deserved vacation and a new posting.

We also agreed on   a “special leadership award” for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for “steering the Ship of State” through perilous political, economic, social  waters with great composure, focus and grace.” And the Exemplars” for this year are (roll of drums, please) in no particular order:

Joey Concepcion of Go Negosyo; Marcelino Nonoy” Libanan of the Bureau of Immigration; Tourism Secretary Ace Durano; hairstylist and resort owner Ricky Reyes; Press Secretary Cerge Remonde; Efren Peñaflorida; Agriculture Sec. Arthur Yap; NAIA General Manager Alfonso Cusi; Budget and Management Secretary Rolando Andaya; Education Secretary Jesli Lapuz; LUWA General Manager Butch Pichay, Rep. Cynthia Villar and former OMB chair Edu Manzano.

Elevated to our Hall of Fame were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Director General Lilia de Lima of PEZA. Past members of this circle were Presidents Cory Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Jaime Cardinal Sin.

Our readers can imagine how star-struck many of our guests were with all our sparkling guests. PGM, Mike Arroyo, Amb. Kenney could not make it as did,  Sec. Andaya and Butch Pichay, but the rest were there, all in happy holiday mood. Our raffle for charity yielded P58, 000, topping last year’s “take” and the hat for the boys, our faithful hotel staff was full to the brim! May be peanuts to bigger clubs but to us working media, this yearly raffle and collection are always special!

Efren Peñaflorida, the CNN “Hero of the Year” came to receive his award with his mentor Bon and teacher Angel. His humility so impressed us that we invited him back for our Jan. 12 session. He will share the limelight with the president of the Seton Hall University in New Jersey, Msgr. Robert Sheeram who will be visiting here with his vice president, Dr. Amado Esteban, PhD., a Fil-American from Tarlac City.

During the party, consummate violinist John Lesaca, saxophonist Michael Young and the pop classical group, Angelos serenaded the guests and awardees with beautiful music. John is running for councilor in the third district of Quezon City on a platform of environmental protection, good values and culture and the arts. Too bad I don’t vote there, but you can bet I am recommending him, as well as Congresswoman Annie Rosa Susano who is running for mayor, to those of you who do.

Michael Young is rather new to the concert scene here, but he’s in the academe and has a PhD to show for it. Tall and good-looking, he models on the side, but the important thing is, he is a superb musician! The rightful heir to Eddie K’s throne!

The Angelos, two-time Aliw awardee, just came back from an extended tour in the US and Canada and in Macau and HongKong. George, Luis, Paolo and Miguel have a Christmas album now, and it’s a great gift to friends this season.

We also welcomed the new general manager of Sofitel, Goran Aleksandrovski and bade goodbye to Bernd Schneider who is moving to a new post! Most of Bulong’s friends were there, and we thank them all for their support the whole year – Rose Libongco of Sofitel, Chito Macapagal and his Unilever media team, Milen de Quiros, Harold Geronimo, Reli German of Ensure, Willie Fernandez, Millie Dizon of SM, Susan Joven, Sandra Garcia of FERN C, Jovi Rivera of Circulan and LungCare, Andrew Masigan for Crunchy Munchy popcorn, and Ayala Land.

Happy Christmas memories, everyone! Welcome the Babe in your hearts and the hope He brings!