RECOGNIZING the role of its people to the city's growth, the City Government of Davao has revealed on Thursday, March 2, the official list of the Datu Bago awardees in 2023.
In a text message sent to VoxPop Davao, Davao City Councilor Pilar Braga, who also chairs the Datu Bago Awards Organization, said there are three outstanding Dabawenyos who will be awarded with the city's highest award .
In the field of journalism, a posthumous Datu Bago award will be given to veteran journalist Antonio M. Ajero. He was one of the media pillars in the city. Ajero served as publisher and editor-in-chief (EIC) of VoxPop Davao from 1995 to 2002 and as the newspaper's publisher from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. He also served as Edge Davao's publisher and EIC until he died in 2022 at the age of 76.
Another awardee is veteran art professor Brenda Sofronia Z. Barba in the field of Visual Arts. She is currently the Fine Arts and Design Cluster Director of the Philippine Women's College.
Elenita C. Dumlao from the field of Performing Arts will also be receiving the award.
Dumlao is a multi-awarded performer and a recipient of several distinctions for her outstanding contributions to the Arts, both in the local and international scene.
Braga said the awardees will be conferred by Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte on March 8, 2023 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City.
Datu Bago Awards is the highest award conferred by the city government to outstanding Dabawenyos who have contributed to the growth and development of the city.
With the new three awardees, a total of 182 individuals have already received the prestigious award since its institution in 1969. (KSD)
