By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera
For the first time, an American national will be among the recipients of the Datu Bago Award, Davao City’s highest award.
The Datu Bago Awardees Organization, Inc. has included Darrell Dean Blatchey, director of the D’Bone Collector Museum, among the eight awardees for 2015.
Blatchley is cited for his work as a bone collector through museum located in Bucana, Davao City, the only one of its kind in the entire country.
His museum was labeled the “Smithsonian of the Philippines” where collections of bones of animals are preserved as a way to appreciate Mother Earth and its creatures.
The museum has become a tourist and educational hub of Davao City.
According to the Datu Bago Awardees Organization executive director Ma. Julieta Torres, any nationality can be nominated and become a recipient of the award as long as he or she has been living in Davao City for at least 10 years.
“The search is open for person in any nationality, living or deceased born in Davao City or have been a resident of this city for at least 10 years,” Torres said.
“Nationality used to be one of the criteria, but we removed this because there are many migrants and foreigners who have contributed to the development of the city,” she added.
Aside from Blatchley, this year’s awardees are Fe Bada Arobo, Amelia B. Bonifacio, Lyda Canson, Dr. Mae Conception J. Dolendo, Randy H. Halasan, John Ryan Largo, and Dr. Virginina S. Montenegro.
The awarding will take place on March 14 at the Lantawan Hall of The Royal Mandaya Hotel.
The awardees are recognized for their outstanding, exemplary and selfless contribution to the growth and development of Davao City through its greatest resources, its people, and for their invaluable contribution to the preservation of the Dabawenyo culture heritage.
