An innovator/entrepreneur who brought light to so many lives, a storyteller who spread the word on the joys of reading, a not so typical artist turned performing arts advocate, a jail warden who emerged as an unlikely agent of change, and a street orphan who overcame the odds to become an international rugby player. The awardees recognized for their accomplishments and contributions in their respective communities were: Illac Diaz, founder and executive director of Liter of Light for Ginebra Ako Para sa Kalikasan; Rey Bufi, founder of The Storytelling Project for Ginebra Ako Para sa Kabataan; Pedro Abraham, Jr., founder of Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino (Kontra-GaPi) for Ginebra Ako Para sa Entablado; Aris Villaester Illac Diaz, the founder and executive director of Liter of Light, thought of an innovative and environment-friendly lighting concept made out of recycled plastic bottles that has brought light to poor areas without access to electricity. They are the everyday heroes who were recently honored at “Ginebra Ako Awards Year 2: Pagkilala sa Tunay na Tapang at Husay ng Pilipino” held at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Bonifacio Global City with no less than Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach hosting the grand awarding ceremony along with veteran host and writer RJ Ledesma. Inspired by the award-winning “Ginebra Ako” campaign of Ginebra San Miguel, the awards program is a nationwide search that seeks to recognize and salute the extraordinary accomplishments of exemplary Filipinos who embody Ginebra San Miguel values – matapang (courage), ganado (passionate), and never-say-die (resilient). “We hope ‘Ginebra Ako Awards’ would inspire each one of us to be better and encourage our fellow Filipinos to keep their dreams alive,” says Ginebra San Miguel Marketing Manager Ronald Molina. “There is no need to look far to be inspired. Simply look to the person beside you because, in real life, ordinary Filipinos are doing heroic deeds. These are the people that we want to pay tribute to,” he adds. Jail Warden of Tagaytay City Jail for Ginebra Ako Para sa Paglilingkod; and Lito Ramirez of the Philippine Volcanoes for Ginebra Ako Para sa Palakasan. Candidates were chosen from well-respected organizations around the country and passed through a screening committee. Each awardee was given a cash prize and a trophy featuring the iconic Ginebra San Miguel logo designed by no less than National Artist Fernando Amorsolo. Senator Robert Jaworski, Philippine sports icon and former playing coach of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, led the presenters in the awarding ceremony.

Ginebra Ako Para sa Kalikasan

“Nakita ko 35 percent ng kinikita ng tao pumupunta sa paghanap ng energy. May mga crimes against women kasi walang ilaw. Sabi ko, gawa tayo ng isang corridor of light. Bumaba ‘yung krimen by 70 percent. Dun na nag umpisa ‘yung mga volunteer, mga grupo ng mga women cooperative na nag-umpisang gumawa ng solar lights. More than 1.5 million households have already benefitted. At taon-taon, mas lumalaki ito. Bawat isa na binigyan namin ng ilaw ay napakalaking pagbabago ang nangyari sa buhay nila at sa bawat pamilya,” says Diaz.

Ginebra Ako Para sa Kabataan

Rey Bufi or kuya Rey, as he is often called, lives his passion for telling stories to children and students through The Storytelling Project (TSP), which he founded to spark hope, to inspire, and to instill the love of reading and learning to children. TSP is focused on communities where literacy is low, and kuya Rey stays in the community for almost a month to give daily storytelling sessions. “Napansin namin na ang pagbabasa sa atin ay isang gawaing pang-eskwelahan. Gusto namin mabago ang pananaw ng mga bata sa pagbabasa na makita nila masaya pala magbasa. Hindi pala nakakatakot. Reading is the foundation of all other subjects. Pag ang bata ay hindi nakakapagbasa, hindi niya maiintindihan ‘yung subject na Filipino, Math, Science at English. Ang pangarap ko sa The Storytelling Project ay marating ang bawat rehiyon sa Pilipinas at mas marami pang bata ang makwentuhan,” says Bufi.

Ginebra Ako Para sa Entablado

Pedro Abraham, Jr., who started his career as a dancer and musician, created Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino or Kontra-GaPi in 1989 to pay respect to tribes and to indigenous peoples through celebrating the culture and music of our natives. Professor Abraham has been known as an Ambassador of Goodwill for Culture and Arts for his pursuit of bringing the cultures of the Philippines to the world. “I’d like to think of the arts as another word for love. The power of dance, the power of music is that it awakens emotions. If you love your audience enough, you will do everything you can in order to generate a kind of communion with your audience. It’s  not the applause that comes later. My aim is all the Filipinos to embrace the richness of our national culture,” says Abraham.  

Ginebra Ako Para sa Paglilingkod

Aris Villaester, Jail Warden of Tagaytay City Jail, puts color inside the facility  by initiating a livelihood program on painting. To date, the project has earned over P1.5 million and enables them to improve their facilities and help Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) to post bail while on trial. “We sell paintings, furniture, and eco-bags. Gawa po ang mga ito sa loob. The proceeds help fund an inmate’s bail. I usually market them on my Facebook page and some of my friends who also want to help. Gusto kong tumulong sa kanila kasi most of them they cannot afford to produce kahit 10,000 pesos. As of the moment nakapag release na kami ng 50 PDL. ‘Yung pag-asa, it applies to everybody. Lahat naman may pag-asa. A chance to change our deeds,” says Villaester.