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July 30, 2010
Dr. Connie “The White House Doctor” Mariano, Keynote Speaker,
to do book signing 4:30 to 5:30 P.M. at the Westin Hotel lobby
Wheeling, IL. It’s all systems go for The Gintong Pamana Awards Foundation, Inc.’s (GPAFI) 16th Annual Gintong Pamana Awards Dinner and Ball this Saturday, July 31 at The Westin, Chicago North Shore in Wheeling, IL. Headlining the event is Dr. Eleanor Concepcion “Connie” Mariano as Keynote Speaker and recipient of the Kamanyang Award for Medicine.
Dr. Mariano started a two-year stint as physician at the White House in 1992 under the first Bush administration.
Little did she know that it would last nine years and span three U.S. Presidents, Bill Clinton and George W.
Bush. Dr. Mariano was the first woman to become Director of the White House Medical Unit and the first
Filipino American to serve as a N a v y r e a r a d -miral. After leaving the White House, Dr. Mariano became a consultant in the Executive Health Program at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale from July 2001 to October 2005.
In November 2005, Dr. Mariano founded the Center for Executive Medicine, a medical concierge practice which provides presidential-quality medical care to CEOs and their families. Dr. Mariano will do a book signing at the lobby of The Westin, Chicago North Shore at 601 N. Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling at 4:30 to 6:00 P.M, Saturday, July 31. Her book signing will promptly close at 6 P.M. to allow her time to prepare for the Gintong Pamana event at 6:30 that same evening. Meanwhile, sixteen other awardees are due to receive their individual awards for their outstanding accomplishments in various fields of endeavor. To receive the 2010 National Prism Award for Women of Style and Achievements are: Nelia Dingcong Bernabe, Cecilia Dome Ceniza, Leticia Birao Freihaut, all of whom are from Illinois, Martha Evangelista Cabarios and Marian
Brenda Sarria Sanagustin of Michigan, Redempta Agbulos Knotts of Indiana and Vernie Velarde Morales and Aida Gaffud Trinidad also of Illinois.
Prism Award is the only recognition of its kind given in the Filipino American community. It is an award solely for women whose outstanding qualities, feminine virtues, achievements and sense of style, etc. have made them shine, admired and looked up to. They are the 21st century’s answer to Rizal’s Maria Clara, Diego Silang’s Gabriela, or the Philippine Revolution’s Melchora Aquino. Like the varied colors that emanate from the prism glass, a Prism Woman is admired and distinguished for her unique and multifaceted personality.
On the other hand, the Gintong Pamana Awards in different categories bear special Philippine names symbolic of the characteristics inherent in those names. For example, Gintong Pamana itself means Golden Legacy. It’s a legacy we bequeath to the next generation. These are the awards:
* Kamanyang Award for Medicine was derived from frankincense. Frankincense is one of the oils that can really calm and soothe the whole body and mind. It eases all aches and pains, clears the lungs and acts as a skin tonic
* Apolinario Mabini for Leadership was named after the Brains of the Revolution and undoubtedly the most profound thinker and political philosopher that the Pilipino race ever produced.
* Tandang Sora Award for Nursing was so named in honor of Melchora Aquino. She was 84 years at the time of the Spanish Revolution.
Most of the wounded and sick Filipino revolutionaries sought refuge in her store. She not only gave them medical attention, but also encouraged the revolutionaries with prayers and motherly advice. Many revolutionaries also held secret meetings at her home. She earned the name “Mother of Katipunan (revolution)” and was also known as “Tandang Sora”, where “Tandang” meant old.
*Anahaw Award in Music uses the symbolism of the Fan palm, which is often used to represent high achievement. . The Anahaw leaf features a large, round outline and is glossy green in color. It spreads out grandly from the center of the shaft and opens to a full crest divided that is often used in awards and medals to represent high achievement, strength, and loyalty.
* Tanglaw Award in Education makes reference to the oil lamp or “tanglaw”used in the olden days to light a student’s table while he/she studied at night. Tanglaw is a popular symbol for education or academic pursuits.
* Next to gold or “ginto,” pilak or silver represents money or wealth. Gintong Pamana’s choice of Silver or Pilak as its symbol for business was based on the fact that the foundation has already used Gold as part of its name.
* Other awards being given by the Foundation but which are absent in this year’s awards are the Molave Award for Sports, Panday Pira Award for Engineering, Tala Award for Entertainment, etc.
This year’s roster of Gintong Pamana awardees are, the“Apolinario Mabini” Award for Leadership to be awarded to Willie Dechavez of Michigan. The recipient of Tanglaw Award in Education is Anna Romina Guevarra. In the field of Business , Carefirst Home Health Services, LLC co-owned by Ma.
Dolores Engracia , Aida Schuck and Ramsey Famacion, all RNs get the Pilak Award. Another Pilak Award in the field of Business Management goes to Gerardo Bas Madanguit of Quality Plus Home Care. Ms. Carmen Perez of Michigan will receive the Tandang Sora Award in Nursing whereas Dr. Rodrigo and Mrs. Leoncia Mata will be honored as the 2010 Parents of the Year with the Tahanan Award in Parenting. The much awaited Gintong Pamana Dinner and Ball will begin promptly at 6:30 P.M. with guests expected to arrive between 5:30 to 6:30 P.M. Ms. Alpha Nicolasin, host of Hataw Pinoy Chicago and managing editor of Community Builder has been commissioned to emcee the program, her second time since her successful hosting of the 15th Gintong Pamana gala last year. Mr. Emil Nicolasin, also of the Hataw Pinoy Chicago fame will open the ceremony with his rendition of the national anthems, The Star Spangled Banner and Lupang Hinirang. The fast rising Ladies Choice Band will provide entertainment and music for non stop dancing. The event will end at 12 midnight.