ON JULY 4, I was among the media people invited to cover the awarding rites for 2024 Outstanding Cadizeños in Cadiz City.
The ceremony took place at Cadiz Arena at around 7 p.m. and highlighted the city’s 57th charter celebration.
I thought it was just an ordinary event. I was wrong!
Of the 10 honorees, five are considered “bigatins” in the international scene and definitely shocked us. Who are they?
Meet virtuoso violinist Gilopez Kabayao, renowned Antonio “Anton” Escalante, best-selling author Thea Guanzon, Southeast Asian Games’ taekwondo ace Dex Ian Chavez, and outstanding Filipino-Australian philanthropist Atty. Virma Gay Symons. They’re superbly outstanding beyond praise.
Cadiz’s Mayor Bading Escalante said, “We take so much pride in honoring them. Their accomplishments show how Cadiz City molds its constituents to become outstanding citizens not just in our community but also globally.”
MUSIC LUMINARY
Born and raised in Hacienda Faraon, Barangay Cabahug, Kabayao, now 95, is a respected and prized violinist. He is the first-ever Filipino musician to play his contemporary music using a violin at the prestigious Carnegie Hall in New York.
Known for bringing contemporary music even to far-flung barangays both in Negros Occidental and Panay Island, Kabayao was awarded the Presidential Merit Award in 1969 and President Magsaysay Award in 1972.
His unforgettable performances resonated deeply and left an indelible mark on the international music scene, earning him the great privilege to showcase his God-given talent across Europe, United States of America (USA) and Asia.
In his acceptance speech read by his relative, Kabayao said: “The purpose of creating an audience for culture and the arts that would support the future of Filipino artists has gained this one-in-a lifetime award. My heart is forever grateful and will forever sing melodies for this felicitation.”
WORLD-CLASS CHEF
“From buriring (globefish/pufferfish) to global cuisine,” was Anton Escalante’s catchphrase when he gave his acceptance speech.
The world-class Filipino chef made buriring – a known poisonous fish abundant in Cadiz from July to September – as his test case in the kitchen during his teenage years in Cadiz.
A classic buriring recipe with libas leaves and santol fruits is now part of the slow food heritage of Cadiz.
Anton had been cited as Restaurateur of the Year in the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore in 2014 for creating high-quality and savory menu for the world.
Anton, too, founded the now-famous Antonio’s Group of Restaurants.
In 2015, Antonio’s was included in the list of San Pellegrino Asia’s best 50 restaurants.
“I am so elated and privileged to be awarded this Cadizeño award because Cadiz is part of my growing up. And buriring was part of my kitchen learning experience,” he told the crowd.
PRIZED BOOK AUTHOR
Guanzon, on the other hand, is no ordinary writer and author of her genre.
This Miriam College alumna, who graduated Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, with a specialization in International Politics and Peace Studies, authored the world best-selling books “The Hurricane of Wars” and its sequel, “A Moonson Rising”.
Guazon’s books also earned recognitions/citations from the New York Times, USA Today, Indie, among other international book outfits.
At 34 now, Guanzon is the very first Filipino author to be feted abroad alongside literary giants like Stephen King, Danielle Steele, James Paterson, Anna Patchett, Ken Follet, and Barbara Kingsolver.
Guanzon, a former fan girl, said, “Cadiz has a special place in my heart. It is where I developed my love for reading and writing stories.”
She hopes her story can inspire other artistic Cadiznons to follow their dreams, as well as motivate the local government of Cadiz to provide more infrastructures and support for the arts.
Moreover, Guanzon is also one among those who were commissioned to make a short story for the movie “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi”.
INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPIST
Symons, who is also Cadizeña by birth, was noted for her philanthropic works in assisting Filipino seafarers in Australia.
Her charitable works in various hotels and hospitals in Caberra during quarantine times at the height of the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic earned her a spot to be honored as one among the 75 outstanding Filipino-Australian women by the Philippine Embassy in Canberra in 2021.
Likewise, Symons was also noted for championing mental health awareness among Filipino students and professionals in Perth.
TAEKWONDO ACE
Chavez, on the other hand, shone his star as a bronze medalist in taekwondo in several international tourneys like in the 30th SEA Games held in the Philippines, Chun Cheon Korean Open and in the 15th and 16th Asean Taekwondo Championships held in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Manila, respectively.
Meanwhile, the five other awardees, who rendered exemplary deeds in their chosen fields of endeavors and also impacted the lives of Cadiznons included pharmacy mogul and philanthropist Ian Manuel Lo for corporate excellence, Girl Scouts of the Philippines-Cadiz Chapter for public service, Mary Jean Tanaya for environmental achievement, Zanex Onatin for visual art, and Architect Rolem Basiya for academic excellence.
‘HEROES’ NOW AND FOREVER
Now, it ‘s understandable why Mayor Bading is so elated with this year’s pool of awardees. Their stories are really for the books worthy to be read.
And Mayor Bading is correct in tagging them as Cadiz’s heroes now…and forever.
I remember then American essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson, who said: “A hero is no braver than any ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.”
Heroism is just the ability of someone to stand out for longer, and endure hardships for greater durations.
Cadiz’s “bigatins” each deserves accolade. “Greatness” is the best adjective to describe their fate anchored on hardship, perseverance and the will to succeed.
Kudos to Cadiz! Kudos to the 10 Outstanding Cadizeños!/PN
