The father of PRC family, Chairman and former Court of Appeals Justice Nicolas P. Lapeña Jr. was one of the nine recipients of Gawad Dakilang Itay for Government Service award given by the Quezon City government in the occasion of this year’s 4th Gawad President Manuel L. Quezon 2009.

Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte and Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista led the awarding ceremony at the University of the Philippines-Diliman’s Bahay ng Alumni last September 2009 dubbed as Huwaran ng Bayan… Pagkilala kay Itay sa Kanyang Kabayanihan.

The accolade given to Chairman Lapeña was in recognition of his sterling public service record that started in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas when he was an employee, then becoming a judge of Regional Trial Court of Pasig and Manila until his appointment by President Corazon C. Aquino as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals.

Leading the “Gawad President Manuel L. Quezon 2009” is former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Atty. Titus B. Villanueva. He started as a janitor in the bureau and retired at the top of the government service. Dr. Lorenzo M. Rufin bagged the Gawad Dakilang Itay for Education who, in the 70’s, with small group of dedicated teachers initiated in providing education to the children of Bgy. Bagong Silangan.

Other awardees are Dr. Tranquilino V. Elicaño (Gawad Dakilang Itay for Health and Medicines); P/Supt. Edgardo G. Pamitan (Gawad Dakilang Itay for Law Enforcement); Ret. Col. Restituto Alquiza (Gawad Dakilang Itay for Military Service); Judge Oscar C. Herrera (Gawad Dakilang Itay for Judiciary); Jose Z. Vargas (Gawad Dakilang Itay for Socio-Civic and Religious); and Montano DG Ramos (Gawad Dakilang Itay for Business and Industry).

Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista said that the Quezon City Government duly recognizes the contributions of fathers whether at home or in their professional careers-who have greatly demonstrated selflessly their commitment to serve the people.

As residents of Quezon City, we are proud that to have dads who have become inspiration to their children, especially the youth. Truly these exceptional men exemplify integrity and high moral principles, Bautista said.

He added that the Gawad Dakilang Itay award not only recognizes the outstanding parenting skills that have nurtured their families, they also built successful careers and helped improve the lives of others.

Success is meaningless if one fails to be a father,Bautista quipped.

The Gawad Ulirang Itay search is program sponsored by the office of Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista that aims to give due recognition to outstanding and responsible fathers who have contributed to the development of the community.

More that 600 nominees received since 2000.

source: http://www.prc.gov.ph