Balay Mindanaw Awards 2016 Finalists Bared

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Barangay San Vicente of Sumilao, Bukidnon -- home barangay of the highly-acclaimed Sumilao farmers -- joins the cast of 20 finalists in the Balay Mindanaw Awards 2016 set to be held on May 27 at the Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro City.

This was announced by Balay Mindanaw president and founder Charlito “Kaloy” Manlupig who said the selection of the finalists was based on the outstanding community initiatives, land rights advocacy, resiliency projects, and peace dialogues of the nominated barangays.

Barangay San Vicente, where some of the Sumilao farmers hail from, is among the contenders in the Kaangayan Category for communities with outstanding local capacities in addressing issues of injustice and inequities.

To recall, the Sumilao farmers staged a major 28-day hunger strike in 1997 and a historic 1,700-kilometer march in 2007 which generated positive public opinion enough to help influence the passage of laws extending the CARP twice, covering 15 years with a total 200-billion-peso budget allocation.

Last April, they also made the headlines when they launched their 3,750-kilometer campaign caravan for vice-presidential candidate Leni Robredo from Barangay San Vicente, Sumilao, Bukidnon to Quezon City.

The other two Kaangayan finalists are Barangay Mimbuahan, of Sugbongcogon, Misamis Oriental and Barangay Tubo-Tubo of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.

Cagayan de Oro’s Barangay Gusa and Barangay Lumbia make up the list of finalists in the Kalambuan Category for communities with outstanding initiatives in addressing poverty towards sustainability and viability.

Barangay Lawaan of Gingoog City and Barangay New Panay of Aleosan, North Cotabato complete the Kalambuan lineup of finalists.

Three barangays from Panay join the company of finalists in the Kalig-on Category for communities that have shown outstanding institutionalization and development of resilient initiatives and preparedness in facing disasters.

Barangay Manipolon of Estancia, Iloilo and Barangays Pinamihagan and Marita of President Roxas, Capiz compose the Kalig-on finalists along with Barangay Ban-ao of Baganga, Davao Oriental, Barangays Macasandig and Carmen of Cagayan de Oro, and Barangays Mat-e and Tawagan of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur.

Barangays Pagangan and Dunguan of Aleosan, North Cotabato are among the finalists in the Kalinaw Category for communities with outstanding local initiatives in transforming violent conflicts and building peace.

Rounding up the group of Kalinaw finalists are Barangay Diatagon of Lianga, Surigao del Sur, Barangay Tuburan of Cagayan de Oro, and Barangay Mahayahay of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

The winners will be selected by a council of judges composed of 14 seasoned personalities with solid backgrounds on community development, peacebuilding, disaster management, and human rights and social justice.

Chaired by Edicio de la Torre and co-chaired by Archbishop Tony Ledesma, the Council is made up of Manlupig, Emma Leslie, Gerry Bulatao, Ma. Corazon Llanderal, Jose Noel Olano, Sylvia Paraguya, Ayi Hernandez, Teody Pena, David and Jane Langworthy, Ramon Chua, and Goldy Chan.

Winners will receive a specially-made trophy, which represents Balay Mindanaw’s vision for Mindanao as the bearer of hope and peace, is handcrafted by Jojo Sescon, a renowned international sculptor, environmentalist, photojournalist, and multi-awarded film maker from Mindanao.

The first-ever Balay Mindanaw Awards is part of the Balay Mindanaw’s 20th anniversary celebration.

“Through these awards, we will celebrate local victories in building empowered, sustainable, resilient and peaceful communities,” Manlupig said.