Sayor Sara Duterte-Carpio paid tribute to the Datu Baguo Award recipients, saying it is a recognition of those who did not only excel in their respective fields but also performed more than what were expected from them.
The mayor made the remarks during the 48th conferment of Datu Bago Award on Tuesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
“A city is more that its natural landscapes, it is more than the high rises and modern amenities, a city at its core is defined by its people,” she said.
She said this is the reason why Araw ng Davao is celebrated every year as a salute to all Davaoeños from all walks of life who live with integrity and work with passion and interact with one another in the spirit of respect for cultural diversity.
She said that the Datu Bago Award recognizes those people who do not only excel in their respective field but performed more than what were expected from them.
“Datu Bago Awards which we confer in time for Araw ng Davao celebration is our way of recognizing men and women who like the local lumad chieftain Datu Bago who made exemplary selfless contributions to our community,” she added.
There is now a total of 168 Datu Bago Awardees who are now members of the Datu Bago Organization Cooperation.
The event was also attended by the descendants of Datu Bago. On an interview, Beirinda Bago, 6th generation granddaughter of Datu Bago said that they are thankful to the Davao City mayor and to the President that they were given the chance to witness the event.
“Naningkamot jud mi isip usa ka apo ni Datu Bago nga maka anhi diri, ug nanghinaot mi nga matabangan mi mga decendants ni Datu Bago nga makapatukod ug munomento para kaniya,” (We did our best as a descendant of Datu Bago to attend this event, we hope that we will be assisted by the city in building the Monument of Datu Bago near Museo Davaoeño),”she said on an interview.
She said that they would like to ask the city government to help them build a monument of Datu Bago near the Museo Davaoeño.
Councilor Pilar Braga also announced in the event that she authored the ordinance recognizing Datu Bago as a local hero of Davao City during last week’s session in the council.
