I accept the San Nicolense Lifetime Achievement Award at a time when 50.3 million Filipinos are giving their all to go up the economic ladder and much like all of us here, they are working day in and day out to improve the lives of their loved ones.

I believe that all of us come from hardworking stock and that if any Filipino is given the same opportunities that some of us have been blessed with – they, too, will shine and they, too, will be receiving an award of the same nature and caliber. 

Although this is a personal award, I accept this honor in their name and in the name of the common goal of every Filipino – for all of us to live comfortable, prosperous, and peaceful lives in the land of our birth. 

I am also deeply humbled to be in the company of luminaries Atty. Benjamin Gudoy and Mr. Cirilo “Elo” Badua who received this prestigious award in 2020 and 2021 respectively. 

I would also like to dedicate this award to my family and my team for giving me the strength to keep moving forward. My achievements are your achievements, too.

I thank the august body of the Sangguniang Bayan of San Nicolas and the Office of the Mayor for this honor and for thinking of me and my life’s work. All of my achievements would not have been possible if it weren’t for your cooperation and help. And they would not have prospered if San Nicolas was not a loving community. 

Like our beloved Damili, this town served as the potter that molded me into the person that I am today. I am sure that it is giving the same kind of nurturing to all our contestants in this year’s Miss Damili pageant and to all the young people in San Nicolas. 

Dios ti agngina and Happy Damili Festival.