Nominations open for outstanding person, group in Cebu City

CEBU City Hall’s Cultural and Historical Affairs Office (CHAO) of the Cebu City Government is now accepting nominations for Outstanding Individuals and Institutions.

Bryner Diaz, acting CHAO head, said nominees should possess extraordinary virtues and should have contributed to the general welfare of Cebu City. The deadline for nominations is on Jan. 31.

Successful awardees will be recognized and will be given plaques during the city’s 80th Charter Day Anniversary celebration on February 24.

“We will receive the nominations and submit them to the City Council for deliberation,” Diaz said.

It marks the first time that the council will identify the shortlist of awardees.

In previous years, it was done by the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (CHAC).

But until now, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña has not convened the commission.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella earlier wrote the mayor asking for the convening of CHAC.

Labella said there are several concerns in the city that need the CHAC’s decision including renaming of streets and public places, among others.

So far, Diaz said the CHAO received three nominations for Outstanding Individuals and another two nominations for Outstanding Institutions.

He said the number of successful nominees to be awarded will be decided on a case to case basis.

To qualify for the Outstanding Individual award, there is a residency requirement of at least three months in Cebu.

“Further, a resident should have gained honor for Cebu and for himself through acts of virtue, exemplary behavior, extraordinary display of heroism, bravery and selflessness in defense of moral principles,” the CHAO said in a press release.

He or she may also be a native resident of Cebu City who has shown integrity of character in office or in personal calling or profession.

For the Outstanding Institution award, nominees must have contributed to the growth, development and programs of Cebu City and its constituents.

“The institution must have devoted time, exemplary efforts and financial measures to the general welfare of the Cebuanos without expecting for rewards. The institution must have also helped the Cebu City government directly in the basic and other related services to Cebu and/or its people,” the CHAO press statement said.

Application forms are available at the CHAO which is located at the second floor of the Rizal Memorial Library and Museum along Osmeña Boulevard.

Other activities to be held in line with the city’s Charter Day celebration include a Cebu City Arts Week scheduled on Feb. 13 to 17 at the Plaza Independencia.