Manila, Philippines — Dr. Jane Gerardo-Abaya, president of PACES for 2024-2026, has been awarded the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award for 2024 at a ceremony held in Malacañang Palace. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr led the awarding ceremony and handed out the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO).
Dr. Gerardo-Abaya, a retired Director at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) received the Pamana award for her exemplary achievements and groundbreaking contributions to the advancement of geology and geothermal hydrology and her relentless advocacy for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies.
At the ceremony, Dr. Gerardo-Abaya and other 2024 PAFIOO recipients each received the prestigious Gawad ng Pangulo medallion from President Marcos, Jr.
There are four award categories under the PAFIOO, one of them being the Pamana ng Pilipino award category. Others include the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino category, Banaag category and Kaanib ng Bayan category.
The Pamana award, in particular, recognizes the Filipinos overseas who have brought honour to the Philippines through excellence and distinction in their professions. These can be in the arts, sciences, business, sports, or other fields. Awardees in this category exemplify the talent and perseverance that Filipinos are known for worldwide.
Aside from PACES President Dr. Gerardo-Abaya, other Pamana award recipients include: Larry Caramba, Saudi Arabia; Roberto Eusebio Lavides, Canada, and Melvin Sanicas, Switzerland.
In his speech, President Marcos Jr. noted that the stories of these exemplary overseas Filipinos inspire the nation to make a difference and to rise above adversities. He also called on the awardees to continue to serve the Filipinos and the communities that they call home.
Award Criteria
This year’s awardees were selected from 84 nominations received by the CFO-PAFIOO Secretariat since it opened the nominations in December 2023. These nominations come from 27 countries through the Philippine Foreign Service Posts across Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America.
All nominations underwent a rigorous four-stage review and evaluation process. Shortlisted nominees underwent final vetting and derogatory checking by the concerned Philippine Foreign Services Posts before being endorsed to the Office of the President. The final list of awardees was then approved by the Office of the President in November 2024.
Institutionalized through Executive Order No. 498, the PAFIOO award has been conferred by six Presidents on 540 individuals and organizations based in 53 countries and territories from 1991 to 2022.
It started in 1991 under then President Cory Aquino, witht the aim of recognizing individuals and private associations overseas “who rendered personal services, financial and material contributions, or other acts of assistance that contributed immensely to the country’s bid for reconstruction and growth, as well as furthering the cause of the Filipino migrant community.”
The awards also recognizes the excellence and achievements of overseas Filipino individuals in their professions.
