THE 47th Datu Bago Awardees were conferred on Wednesday evening, March 15 at Royal Mandaya Hotel.
The Datu Bago Awardees Organization Inc., led by Dr. Guillermo Torres Jr. along with representatives of City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, conferred the Datu Bago Awards 2017 on Amalia “Amy” Bandiola-Cabusao, the editor in-chief of Mindanao Times and Rey Mudjahid “Kublai” Ponce Millan, a local artist.
The Datu Bago awards committee recognized Cabusao for her contribution “in promoting press freedom and building capacities of campus and community journalists”, while Kublai is being recognized for his contribution “to the development of Davao’s culture and arts.”
Cabusao said she is overwhelmed and thankful with the recognition.
“This is a recognition and a responsibility people will be expecting much from me. Before I was just really enjoying what I was doing training organizing journalism part of my work and I really enjoyed doing it so with this award, it comes more responsibility putting my act together better than I did before," Cabusao said.
Cabusao, who also hosts a radio program and is into documentary filmmaking, advised young journalists to read a lot to get bigger picture of the world.
The father of Kublai Millan, Rey Ernesto Millan, who was present in behalf of his son, said that he was ever proud on what his son has achieved.
"The family is very proud of him, kasi ito yung anak ko na (because this son of mine) when he graduated from high school, he was very sad and he was saying sorry because wala daw siyang nakuhang (he didn’t get any) medal and this was the child who said 20 years ago, Dad, I promise you someday you will be proud of me," he said.
Millan said Kublai was really into arts since he was young.
He said the advocacies of his son involve peace, environment, education.
Meanwhile, it was Kublai Millan’s son, Kubing Chua Millan, who gave the acceptance speech in behalf of his father.
“I am Kubing Chua Millan, my brother is Kunta, and my sister is Satori, we are here to receive the Datu Bago award on behalf of our great father, Kublai Ponce Millan. He and our mom are in Europe on an art tour, even if he is far away we know what is in his heart he will continue his advocacy for peace, environment education and the tri-people. We are proud of our father. Thank you, Davao City,” he said.