Rizal Hall, Malacañang
5 December 2014

President Benigno S. Aquino III honored the 33 outstanding Filipinos and foreign-based organizations from 12 different countries for their achievements during the 2014 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas held in Malacañang.

The awardees were being recognized for their contributions to the development of the Philippines and to the welfare of their fellow Filipinos abroad.

“It is thanks to individuals like you that Filipinos abroad are able to cope with the many challenges of being far away from home… Indeed: it is men and women like you who help to forge a sense of community on distant shores, and who display to the world the innate talents and drive our people,” the President said.

He also reminded them to treat the awards as an invitation to continue their pursuit of excellence, bringing pride and honor to our country. He proudly shared the economic success of the country, being considered as “Asia’s New Tiger”.

“We have changed the way the world sees us, and we must built on this: we must ride our current momentum and show the world that the excellence of the Filipino knows no bound,” he added.

The 33 awardees were screened by representatives from the government, civil society, media, academe, religious and business sectors, and by the President from 157 nominations from 29 countries.

 

*  *  *