Rondalla group from San Jose, Calif. gets PH presidential award

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0FxyFVLI2M&feature=youtu.be

WATCH: Presidential Awards for Outstanding Filipinos and Organizations Overseas

SAN FRANCISCO — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte conferred presidential awards to Pagyamanin Likas Musika and 22 other distinguished and outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign-based organizations from 11 countries.

The ceremonies for the 2016 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) were held at the Malacanang Palace on Dec. 19.

Pagyamanin Likas Musika is a not for profit worldwide organization of friends, schoolmates and families based in San Jose, California, which promotes the playing and appreciation of Philippines’ native rondalla instruments and provides scholarship programs and livelihood assistance to communities in the Philippines.

Members of the Cabinet, academe, along with National Artist for Music, Dr. Ramon P. Santos, who is one of the many avid supporters of Pagyamanin Likas Musika, and members of the Diplomatic Corps including US Ambassador Sung Kim were in attendance at the prestigious event.

Pagyamanin Likas Musika Rondalla members rehearsing.YOUTUBE

Institutionalized in 1991 through Executive Order No. 498, the Presidential Awards are a biennial search for overseas based individuals and organizations which have dedicated their work on the service of Filipinos, selflessly supported relief, rehabilitation and development programs in the home country, or who have excelled in their field or profession.

The awardees were thoroughly screened from a total of 103 nominations from 22 countries by four different committees from the diplomatic posts, interagency technical committee, multisectoral executive committee, to the Office of the President. The Presidential Awards have four categories — Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINGKAPIL) Award, Kaanib ng Bayan Award, Banaag Award and Panamang Pilipino Award.