VP Sara Duterte Celebrates Datu Bago Awardees for Their Service to Davao City
Vice President Sara Duterte praised this year's Datu Bago award recipients for their significant contributions to Davao City, highlighting that their accomplishments demonstrate how genuine success involves not just personal achievement but also elevating others in the community. The awarding ceremony took place on March 18, 2026, at the Royal Mandaya Hotel, where Duterte delivered an inspiring address to the honorees and attendees.
Honoring Service and Leadership
During her speech, Duterte emphasized that each awardee has profoundly impacted lives through various forms of service, leadership, opportunity creation, and exemplary conduct. "Each of you, our awardees, in your own ways has touched life—through service, through leadership, through opportunities you created, and through the example you set," she stated. She connected their efforts to the legacy of Datu Bago, the city's local hero, noting that while modern challenges differ from historical battles, issues like misunderstanding and doubt persist, requiring courage and integrity to address.
Duterte further explained that progress is a collective endeavor, not an overnight or solitary achievement. "In many ways, you carry the spirit of Datu Bago today—not in weapons but with integrity, commitments, and heart," she added, underscoring how the awardees embody these values in contemporary society.
A Tradition of Recognition
Pilar Braga, chairperson of the Datu Bago Awardees Organization, Inc., highlighted that the ceremony continues a 54-year tradition of honoring Dabawenyos whose work has driven the city's growth and development. "Tonight we gather not merely for a ceremony but for a tradition that time has come to symbolize the very best of who we are as Dabawenyos," she remarked, reinforcing the event's deep cultural significance.
Councilor Melchor Quitain Jr., representing Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, also spoke at the event, acknowledging the awardees' dedication and positive impact on residents' lives. "To our outstanding awardees, congratulations. Your selfless service is one of the foundations upon which our community thrives. May you continue to serve as a testament to the Dabawenyo spirit—exceptional, disciplined, steadfast, and resilient," he said. Quitain expressed hope that the honorees would remain pillars of progress and inspiration for all Dabawenyos.
Meet the 2026 Datu Bago Awardees
Six distinguished individuals received the prestigious Datu Bago Award this year, recognized for their diverse contributions to Davao City:
- Eduardo A. Bangayan: A catalyst for sustainable growth and excellence in public service.
- Gene C. Bangayan: A champion of Davao's global tourism identity.
- Maria Floirendo Brias: A leader in empowering micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and fostering inclusive community development.
- Alex Valdez Buenaventura: An architect of inclusive finance and rural economic growth.
- Manuel Mendoza Orig: A builder of energy security and civic leadership.
- Welehito Noyna Pepito: A visionary artist shaping Davao's creative community.
The awardees were presented with plaques and medals, joining the ranks of previous honorees. Nominations for the award were open to the public from October 2025 to December 26, 2025, targeting individuals whose life's work shows distinction and significant contribution to the city.
About the Datu Bago Award
Established in 1969 and named after the local hero Datu Bago, this award stands as one of Davao City's highest honors. It celebrates dedication and achievement that strengthen the city, recognizing not only professional excellence but also sustained civic engagement that uplifts communities and promotes the common good. The award underscores the importance of collective effort and community spirit in driving Davao's ongoing development and resilience.
