The prestigious Natatanging Gintong Kabataang Bulakenyo award was recently bestowed upon Chelsea Anne Manalo, the Philippines’ shining star in the recently concluded Miss Universe 2024 pageant during the Gawad Gintong Kabataan Awards held at The Pavilion in Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in the City of Malolos.
Aside from Manalo, other outstanding youth that were recognized include Mary Vianney J. Sato of Plaridel town (Secondary) and Mahmooda Aziza Bhatti from the City of San Jose Del Monte (College) for Gintong Kabataan sa Kagalingang Pang-Akademya at Agham; Timothy N. Dionela from Guiguinto (Individual) and the BulSU Hyper Dynamics Dance Troupe of Bulacan State University (Group) for Gintong Kabataan sa Larangan ng Sining at Kultura; Anthony L. Mancao of the Municipality of Pandi for Gintong Kabataang Entreprenyur; Paul John D.R. Hernandez from Marilao (Individual) and the Samahan ng Ibinuklod na Kabataang May Layong Angat Bayan (SIKLAB) of the City of San Jose Del Monte (Group) for Gintong Kabataan sa Larangan ng Paglilingkod sa Pamayanan; Yusoph A. Maute from Hagonoy (Professional Worker), Reinel L. Morelos from Bulakan (Government Worker), and Sheila Delos Santos from Bocaue (Skilled Worker) for Gintong Kabataang Manggagawa.
The awardee for this year’s Gintong Kabataang SK Federation President was Riann Maclyn L. Dela Cruz of the City of Malolos, while the Gintong Kabataang SK Barangay Council award were given to Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Frances of Calumpit and Sangguniang Kabataan ng Barangay Look 1st of Malolos City.
Eight individuals also received Special Citation in recognition of their success in their chosen fields including David Vaughn C. Datuin (Guigguinto), Chrisandro A. Natividad (Malolos City), Alethea R. Ambrosio (San Rafael), Euwenn Mikael C. Aleta (Meycauayan City), Dominick R. Fajardo (Malolos City), Maxine Denielle T. Gonzaga (Meycauayan City), Sherina Alexandra B. Baltazar (Malolos City), and Trishia G. Espiritu (Hagonoy).
Further, the late Dr. Eliseo S. Dela Cruz from the City of Malolos was also awarded the Natatanging Gintong Kabataan (Posthumous Award) for his years of service and invaluable contribution as the department head of the Provincial History, Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office.
The awardees took home P10,000, trophy, and medal for individual awards; group awardees got P20,000, trophy, and medal; Special Citation recipients received P2,000 and plaque; and the Natatanging Kabataang Bulakenyo winners were given a plaque.
Governor Daniel Fernando congratulated all the awardees and highlighted the significant role of the youth as future leaders of the province but reminded them to never abuse their power.
“Huwag nating abusuhin ang ibinigay sa atin na maglingkod kundi ibigay po natin ito nang may laya at demokrasya, at siyempre pagmamahal sa ating mga kapwa Bulakenyo.”
“Isa lang po ang aking bibitawan sa ating mga kapwa Bulakenyo na bibigyan ng pagkilala. Ating gamitin ang ating talino, ating gamitin ang kapangyarihang ipinagkaloob sa atin ng ating Panginoon. Huwag nating abusuhin ang ibinigay sa atin na maglingkod kundi ibigay po natin ito nang may laya at demokrasya, at siyempre pagmamahal sa ating mga kapwa Bulakenyo,” Fernando said.
Meanwhile, Yusoph Maute, GKA 2024 awardee for Professional Worker, emphasized during his response on behalf of all the awardees that GKA symbolizes not only victories but a reminder that dreams, through determination, always pay off.
“Ang parangal na ito ay hindi lang sumisimbolo ng tagumpay ngunit isang paalala sa bawat kabataang Bulakenyo na ang ating mga pangarap at pagsusumikap ay may patutunguhan.”
“Ang parangal na ito ay hindi lang sumisimbolo ng tagumpay ngunit isang paalala sa bawat kabataang Bulakenyo na ang ating mga pangarap at pagsusumikap ay may patutunguhan,” Maute said.
Also present in the event were Vice Governor Alexis Castro, Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad, Atty. Nikki Manuel Coronel, chairperson of GKA 2024 selection board, and Bulacan SK Federation Treasurer Louie Marvin Tomacruz, who represented their president, Casey Tyrone Howard.
