Amb. Cristina C. Ponce-Enrile, Committee Chairperson of the 2011 Mabini Awards, a biennial program of the Philippine Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PFRD) that seeks to honor persons with disabilities (PWDs) who have excelled in their chosen careers as well as individuals, groups and entities that have contributed much to the welfare of disabled individuals, recently announced the winners of the 26th Apolinario Mabini Awards.
The much-coveted MABINI Presidential Award is given to Sister Ma.Paula Valeriana Baerts, ICM for her 59 years’ pioneering work to help disabled Filipinos. Two Special Mabini Awards had also been handed: Lauro C. Purcil in recognition of PWD-rights based advocacy & strong working role with the UNCRPD; and, Capt. Oscar P. Taleon (PN, Ret.) for exemplary leadership in PWD sector unification & ability to elicit cooperation from other advocates.
Awards conferred in other categories are: Rehabilitation Volunteer: Rizal C. Morales (Government) & John K. Chua (Private); Employer: Dept. of Foreign Affairs (Government), Shangri-la Makati (Private), Special Award – Mann Hann; Disabled Group: Makati Federation of Persons with Disabilities; Media Advocate: Special Award – Access Unlimited; Local Government Unit: Province of Aurora (Provincial), Municipality of Mariveles, Bataan (Municipal), Special Awards – Municipality of New Lucena, Iloilo & Municipality of Opol, Misamis Oriental; and for Disabled Filipino of the Year: David Casper Nathan A. Sergio.
For the Disabled-Friendly Establishment Award, three benchmarks had been established: 1st, for the GOLD category: SM Tarlac; 2nd, SILVER category: JP Morgan Chase Bldg., SM Calamba, SM North EDSA Annex, SM San Pablo, SM Marikina, SM Novaliches, SM Rosario, and, Ayala Cebu Mall; and 3rd the BRONZE category: SM Bacoor, SM Baliuag, SM Batangas, SM Bicutan, SM Cebu Annex, SM Fairview, SM Iloilo, SM Lucena, SM Megamall, Sm Muntinlupa, SM Naga, SM Pampanga, SM Pasig, SM Rosales, SM Sucat, SM Valenzuela, SM North EDSA (InterZone, Sky Garden, The Block), SM Cagayan de Oro, Taal Vista Lodge, Ayala Marque Mall, Ayala Serendra, Ayala Techno Hub, Ayala The Link, and, Citibank Makati; Special ‘Mapagmahal sa May Kapansanan’ Awards: Mall of Asia; SM Program on Disability Affairs and Citibank.
This year’s Awards Committee Members are: Congw. Lani M. Revilla, Atty. Louise A. Marcos, Mayor Ma. Laarni L. Cayetano, Audrey Kay Tan Zubiri, Cynthia A. Villar, Kate H. Gordon, Milagros G. Drilon, Zeny R. Tanada. The Screening Committee was chaired by Arch. Jaime Silva with members Erlinda Koe, Dr. Therese Bustos, Joy Garcia, Nelia de Jesus and Randy Weisser.