On a roll.
After picking up a lifetime achievement award in sports journalism during the PSA Awards Night last month, retired newsman and spokesman Percy D. Della will be honored by his hometown this week.
A former sports columnist for a Manila daily newspaper and a spokesman for three California state government agencies not too long ago, Della said he’s fortunate enough to be included among the outstanding citizen awardees of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija this year.
“Congratulations barrio boy,” texted his controversial columnist friend Ramon Tulfo.
Come fiesta time on April 13-16, Della will share the stage with: former Valley Golf Club president and B-MIRK Chain of Companies CEO Isauro San Pedro Jr.; University of the Philippines architecture professor Gerard Rey Lico, a leading light in the protection and care of important heritage sites and structures like the Rizal Memorial Coliseum; Attorney Emmanuel Tamase, an adroit litigator whose law firm once included ex-Vice President Jejomar Binay as a partner; Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., the newly installed Region 3 director of the Philippine National Police; and Jemerson Erese, a young and popular town architect who designs and builds local homes.
“I’ve been the recipient of several awards before. But none will be more important than the one I will receive from my hometown come April 16.
“I will not trade my laurel from Cuyapo for all the tea in China.”
When God spread talent, Cuyapo got heaps of it.
The town has produced among others, the following:
A career diplomat and ambassador to the United Nations, a senator, two congressmen, two provincial governors, two Manila councilors, a Cabinet ranked presidential legislative secretary, a confidential and private secretary to the President, a National Irrigation administrator, a civil service commissioner, a one star general in the United States Air Force, six local military and police generals, a presidential aide-de-camp, several movie stars, a PBA legend, the best all-around athlete in Southeast Asia, three national newspaper and television reporters, and many doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionals of the first water.
Most of these achievers haven’t been recognized by the local government unit then and now.
May they and all outstanding citizens be given their day in the sun someday.
