THE PHILIPPINES, FEBRUARY 2012: Following its campaign line "Where there are Filipinos, there are heroes, and it’s time to honor them," Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards goes global search after 18 years.
Established in 1994, the Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awards aims to recognize Filipinos who have faced challenges and difficulties and managed to become role models to their fellow Filipinos. The award, which was named after him, began after he learned of a Filipina maid in Hong Kong who got run over by a car in pursuit of saving a child.
Don Eugenio “Geny” Lopez Jr, for which the award show is named after, is the founder of leading local broadcast company ABS-CBN CorporationHe is known in the industry as the "Father of Philippine Broadcasting."
“My father would be smiling right now,” said Raffy Lopez, COO of ABS-CBN Global which oversees the promotion and production of the distinguished award ceremonies. “He started Bayaning Pilipino (Filipino Heroes) with Father Nilo. It would warm his heart to know that ABS-CBN in Manila, TFC globally and UGAT, have expanded their long-running partnership to search around the world for ordinary folks doing extraordinary work in the service of the Filipino people. This is true to his vision and mission.”
“We have honored so many Filipinos, but taking the search to a worldwide level posed major logistical requirements. We are so enthused by the energy and commitment of TFC teams in all regions in taking part in the project. It shows their involvement and love for the Filipino communities that they serve,” said Chit Guerrero, vice president for ABS-CBN Corporation’s Special Projects which works directly with UGAT in Manila for this project.
Nominations for the award are open until March 15, 2012. Regional winners will be announced late May 2012 after a period of tight screenings and validation. The winners will be flown to Manila, Philippines for the national awarding ceremony to be held in June 2012. For nomination, visit www.globalbayaningpilipino.com.
