7 exemplary Filipinos honored by Philippine Consulate in Dubai

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – A world-renowned couturier, a journalist, a CEO who rose from the ranks; and a former waitress who now runs her own trading company were among this year’s seven recipients of the annual Dakilang Bayani Awards given by the Philippine Consulate to outstanding Filipinos for being an inspiration to their compatriots here.

The seven were bestowed with the commendation for being “exemplary and
selfless” Filipinos with a “passion for excellence and self-respect,” and a spirit of camaraderie toward their fellows.

They are multi-award winning designer Michael Cinco; Angel Tesorero, senior
reporter at UAE-based Gulf News; Dr. Mary Jane Alvero Al Mahdi, who started
out as an OFW and is now CEO of an inspection and certification company
employing a team of 400 professionals; and Vhie Laurilla, who worked as a
waitress in Dubai some 20 years ago and now runs her own trading company while engaging in volunteer work in the areas of women empowerment, financial literacy and mental health seminars.

Also conferred the Dakilang Bayani Award were Lalaine Chu-Benitez, editor-in-chief of a prestigious Dubai magazine that has honored outstanding overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) by regularly publishing a list of top achievers; Josie Conlu, regarded as a “champion of the OFW cause” and known for her outreach programs for household service workers (HSWs); and Ace Lester Quijada, a financial consultant in Dubai who is known for his leadership role in various community service events.

Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes, who led the screening and review
committee, said the awards “highlighted the stories of Filipinos who have risen to the excellence of success in UAE society.”

“Our goal is to make people know that there are stories like this and that they may be further inspired to take on similar paths toward their own success.

“We hope that the rest of the community in Dubai and in the northern emirates will use these experiences as a way of fueling their desire to rise above the constraints they face and the challenges ahead of them. The success of the Filipino overseas is not the exception to the rule, rather they define the grit and determination of a migrant population,” Cortes told GMA News Online.

Honored

Cinco, who received the consulate-organized awards for the first time since its inaugural event six years ago, said he is “honored and humbled” by the award.

“It has been my passion to elevate our identity and redefine how Filipinos are known in the global fashion stage through the creations impalpably seen throughm my eyes. I have created and transformed the Filipino aesthetics by dressing up known celebrities, royalties, beauty queens and supported worthy causes that propel who we are: Filipinos proud of our artistic heritage, unfettered by challenges,” Cinco said.

“It is with great humility and transparency that I am able to say that what I have done in the fashion industry and will continue to do, will inspire generations of young designers to follow their impalpable dreams,” he added.

'Infodemic'

For his part, Tesorero, who also was senior reporter at Khaleej Times, another UAE-based newspaper, meantime said that as the COVID-19 pandemic “has nbrought disinformation in mass media,” he did his role in “battling the ‘infodemic’ by providing the public with accurate information they needed to make informed decisions.”

For her part, Al Mahdi said the award reminds her to continually improve herself towards excellence. “Being one of the Dakilang Bayani Awardees will open doors of opportunities not only for me but for Prime Group because it serves as a validation of my leadership and our contributions in the community and society,” she said.

Laurilla said she will treasure the award “as long as I live and will continue to do more and be an inspiration to our fellow Kabayan.”

'Surreal'

Benitez, who has been spearheading efforts to recognize top Filipino achievers through the magazine, Illustrado, said it is “a bit surreal to be on the receiving end,” this time.

“It feels amazing to have validation for the work that my team and I have been doing for the past 15 years. As a platform that has honored many Filipinos is a huge part of our work, it feels a bit surreal to be on the receiving end, frankly.

“But to be given this honor from an institution and a committee that we respect and admire, is extraordinarily special. This vote of confidence will definitely energize us to continue making impact as we move to the next phase of Illustrado this year,” Benitez said.

Conlu, meanwhile, said the award “will be another strong motivation for [her] to do more, especially in terms of community service.”

Quijada, likewise, noting that the award was conferred by persons with integrity, said it is “an added motivation and reminder that we could accomplish greater and be of continuous service selflessly to our society and mankind,” which, he said, is the same vision that they have in the fraternity that he is a member of.

Deliberation

Dr. Rex Venard Bacarra, Campus Academic Head/Director for Administrative
Services at Southville – Ras Al Khaimah and an official of the seven-member
screening committee, said there were more than 100 nominations.

He said the deliberation was the “most stringent in the history of the Dakilang Bayani Awards.”

“We got nominations of individuals who are internationally recognized and since our focus is on their contribution to service, we needed to direct each one in relation to that. It isn't just about success in their careers, or the overwhelming sense of fame, but about their hearts. Their hearts should be selflessly and tirelessly giving,” Bacarra, himself a 2017 Dakilang Bayani awardee, said.

The awarding ceremony was held as part of the 123 rd Philippine Independence Day festivities held at the Philippine Consulate General on June 12, 2021.  —KBK/RSJ, GMA News