VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The heritage province maintains its 15-year history of acknowledging remarkable individuals through the Father Jose Burgos awards.
Coinciding with the conclusion of the 18-day celebration of the 2023 Ilocos Sur Kannawidan Festival, some ten awardees each received a plaque at the Pammadayaw this year.
This is in recognition of their incomparable contributions in upholding the culture and tradition of the province.
One of the awardees, Mabini Ubuan, an internationally-acknowledged coffee farmer said, “Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa mga lokal na pamahalaan sa kanilang pagkilala sa amin. Lalo na sa produkto namin na kape sa bayan ng Sigay.”
He further appealed, “Sana patuloy pa ring suportahan ng gobyerno ang mga magsasaka para mas marami pang sipagin at magpatuloy na pagandahin ang industriya ng kape.”
The awardees include Saturnino Mandac, a Kattukong or a traditional headgear maker from Vigan City, Samson Balas who is a basket and hat weaver, Cynthia Rabang for her traditionally-handcrafted jewellery called Tambourine, and Perfecto Solem who produces soft-broom from Alilem town, among others.
Moreover, the recently hailed champions in the International Robot Games Championships in Thailand, Narvacan National Central High School Robotics Team were among the three who were conferred with the Father Jose Burgos Special awards.
During the awarding ceremony at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center, Marlon Tagorda, the provincial administrator welcomed the awardees and guests.
“This is the highest and most prestigious recognition given by the province of Ilocos Sur to the team or individual who achieved excellence in any field of endeavor and whose achievement brings honor to the province,” he said.
He added, “The province singularly bestows the award to exceptional personalities exemplifying a True blue Ilocos Surian in their chosen field of specialization.”
The honor and fame regarded to the province as a result of the achievement of the honorees, according to him, truly deserve recognition. (JCR/MJTAB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)
