By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
QUEZON CITY — The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Tuesday (Dec. 10) honored the 2024 Extraordinary Filipinos with Disabilities, as part of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration.
The honorees have made exceptional contributions to the promotion of disability rights and inclusion in the Philippines.
The awardees embody the strength and spirit of the Filipino people, inspiring others to champion equality and empowerment for all.
Dandy C. Victa, NCDA OIC Deputy Executive Secretary, said that today is not only a celebration but a testament of the living not only of one but many extraordinary Filipinos with disabilities.
Each extraordinary Filipino with disability has his own advocacy, skills and contributions to the society.
The NCDA highlighted their stories and contributions to building a more inclusive and accessible society.
Being recognized are the finalists, nominees and awardees in the six categories such the youth with disability, employees with disabilities both in government and private sectors, athlete with disability, women with disability, and person with disability leadership.
The awardees will receive P25,000 and the finalists will receive certificates of recognition for their invaluable contribution to the society.
During the conferment rites at Luxent Hotel, awarded with certificates to the finalists were Joel R. Jabolesa, private sector employees, Arnie G. Nerida and Miriam C. Acosta-Llanos, government employees, Jazmin Faye A. Berrame and Julian Job C. Castro, youth with disability;
Angel Mae C. Otom and Catherine C. Tayag, athletes with disability, Jana Danielle C. Tan and Ann Marie C. Dizon, women with disability, and Flora P. Rafanan and Juan Carlo C. Saquin, persons with disability.
Jabolesa did not make it to the awarding ceremonies.
The six NCDA Extraordinary Filipinos with Disabilities are Christian O. Apolinario, private sector employee, Jennifer V. Garcia, government employee, Ma. Bless S. Adriano, youth with disability, Ernie A. Gawilan, athlete with disability, Carmen R. Zubiaga, women with disability, and John Darnell C. Castro, person with disability leader.
Adriano received a plaque of appreciation and P25,000 cash.
She has been in the advocacy for the youth with disability for the past nine years.
Gawilan also received the plaque and cash prize. He expressed his profound gratitude to the NCDA.
Zubiaga received a cash prize of 25,000 and a plaque of appreciation.
She also thanked the NCDA for the award and recognition.
Apolinario received the plaque of appreciation along with the P25,000 cash prize.
He thanked the NCDA for the award of being one of the extraordinary Filipinos with disabilities.
He is afflicted with polio which did not prevent him from participating in disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation activities in Bohol province, together with 100 persons with disability.
Garcia also received the plaque and cash prize.
She handles the Provincial Disability Affairs Office of Pangasinan in Dagupan City.
She firmly believes that everything happens for a reason and for a purpose and she will continue her service and all her advocacies with unwavering dedication.
Castro received the plaque of appreciation and P25,000 cash prize.
He expressed his deepest gratitude to the NCDA for the award of being one of the extraordinary Filipinos with disabilities for the advocacy of empowerment and inclusivity.
Castro did not only had the opportunity to play basketball but got the help and support of Star Magic and the team of Gerard Anderson in Mandaluyong City.
“Let’s continue to be beacons of hope and change,” he said.
Also present during the ceremonies were representatives from the Civil Service Commission, Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Philippine Commission on Women, PhilSpada, Department of Health, and the Board of Directors of NCDA.
The panel of judges was composed of Elisa Cruz, Antonio Yanes, John Kent Cardenas, and Maria Luz Javier, among others.
Dir. Glenda D. Relova, NCDA Executive Director, said that every individual is given the opportunity to thrive.
Relova congratulated all the winners and awardees for their dedication in the their respective advocacies.
She announced that the categories for the awards for the extraordinary Filipinos with disabilities will be expanded next year (2025) to include the local government units.
“We can create a community where persons with disability will continue to live with dignity,” Relova said.
“Ang DSWD po ay patuloy na susuporta sa mga taong may kapansanan,” she added.
Atty. Emmeline Aglipay-Villar, DSWD Undersecretary, noted the International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebration on Dec. 3, 2024.
Villar cited the six categories in the extraordinary Filipinos with disabilities such the youth with disability, employees with disabilities both in government and private sectors, athlete with disability, women with disability, and person with disability leadership.
Since the 1980’s, she had been an advocate for persons with disability (PWDs), saying that she has a sister with autism, adding that her parents has founded the Autism Society of the Philippines.
As a lawmaker before being appointed to the DSWD, Villar had proposed legislative measures for the benefit and welfare of the PWDs.
She admitted that she herself is a PWD being afflicted with “lupus”.
“Sa DSWD, ang bawat buhay ay mahalaga,” Villar said.
