Vin D’honneur: Cityhood ‘Brains’ honored
The City government of Koronadal celebrated the 19th Charter Day by recognizing the distinguished men and women considered as “brains” behind the city’s charter in a worthwhile gathering dubbed as Vin D’Honneur.
A grand dinner was set in the evening of October 8 at Maya Pavillion, Paraiso Verde. In their formal wear, honorees paraded in a processional march joined by City Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena as the last person to amble in the red carpet.
Addressing the honorees, Mayor Eliordo U. Ogena said in his message,“I want you to be honored not because I want to gain your confidence and trust, it is our obligation to look back to those who made this fruitful city great! Koronadal is not Koronadal today and will not be Koronadal in the future without your presence”.
To highlight the occasion, the Mayor presented a plaque of appreciation to the Sangguniang Bayan Officials who served in the year 1998 as the night’s honorees to include: Former Governor Daisy Avance-Fuentes, Dr. Arthur Y. Pingoy, Jr., Atty. Jose C. Ledda, Jr., Atty. Cecile E. Diel, Mr. Antonio F. Damandaman, Ms. Khristine Michelle Aguillar, Mr. Gerardo R. Barrientos, Ms. Nenita L. Jarabelo, Mr. Eduardo T. Pescadero, Mr. Jose M. Madanguit, Mr. Eduardo J. Biadoma, Mr. Jojet B. Tupas, Ms. Justina F. Siason, Ms. Flor Subere and Mr. Roberto L. Sunga. The first city Mayor of Koronadal and now Vice-Governor of the Province of South Cotabato Vicente De Jesus also graced the occasion. In a short talk, the official expressed his appreciation to the city government is its efforts to acknowledge and celebrate their contributions in the making of the City of Koronadal as it is today.
On the other hand, Mayor Ogena said “I realized that I am in the right track in pursuing a culminating activity like this, a Vin D’Honneur or awards night to individuals who served the city with patriotism and loyalty for the past 2 decades. I want to give due respect and appreciation especially to those unsung heroes in the making of this beloved city”.
The city’s history will prove that the elected municipal
officials in the year 1998 strived for the conversion of the then Municipality
of Koronadal into a city. On August 16, 2000, former President Joseph Ejercito
Estrada signed into law Republic Act No. 8803 creating the City of Koronadal, a
component city of South Cotabato. This was ratified through a plebiscite on
October 8, 2000. A symbolic signing by His Excellency, President Joseph
Estrada, of the said law was held at Marvella Plaza Hotel, City of Koronadal on
August 19, 2000.
“The height of my dreams can be measured through the broadness of my vision. That vision is for the betterment of the lives of the Koronadaleños. Mabuhay tayong lahat, God bless us all, ururupod kita sa bagong koronadal”, the Mayor concluded his speech.
The Novitas Rondalla of Bacongco National High School added color to the occasion through their live renditions of music driven by their miniature stringed instruments.