THE National Press Club of the Philippines (NPC), one of the country’s oldest but biggest organization of active members of the press, said all preparations are now in place for the celebration of its 69th anniversary this Friday, October 29, 2021 under the theme, ‘Strong and Resilient at 69!’
“We are nearly done with our preparations and we are pleased to announced to our members that the celebration shall proceed although under more subdued condition because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NPC president, Paul M. Gutierrez of the Journal Group.
“And much as we would like to open the door to all members like in previous occasion, we appeal to their understanding if the program and the venue have been strictly limited to a selected few because of the need to observe health protocols,” Gutierrez added.
The proceedings, however, shall be broadcasted live on social media.
Gutierrez said the simple ceremony to honor this anniversary’s list of awardees, as well as the oathtaking of new members shall be held at the NPC Building along Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila after the traditional thanksgiving mass in the afternoon.
Leading this year’s awardees are erstwhile Department of Public Woks and Highways (DPWH) secretary, Mark A. Villar, former senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., P/Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, director general, Philippine National Police (PNP) and, the Federation of Filipino -Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCII) thru its president, Henry Lim Bon Liong.
Other awardees include DPWH Undersecretary for Regional Operations Roberto Bernardo; DPWH NCR director, Eric Ayapana; erstwhile Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chair, Greco Belgica; ACT-CIS Partylist Rep. Eric Go Yap; journalist Erwin Tulfo; and, former Candaba, Pampanga mayor and Danway Corporation president, Engr. Danilo ‘Boy’ Baylon.
A special award and citation shall also be given respectively to NPC members, Atty. Larry Gadon and Bambi Purisima.
Gadon is also expected to lead the mass oathtaking of the 17 new NPC regular members via Zoom.
Also receiving awards and recognition during Friday’s event are the winners and runners-up in the recently concluded, ‘2021 NPC Photo Contest.’
Gutierrez further assured that despite the current political climate, political consideration is not among the criteria used by the Club in selecting this anniversary’s awardees.
“They were selected on the basis of the fact that unbeknownst to the public, this year’s awardees helped the NPC, one way or another, to become a strong and resilient organization despite the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“COVID-19 spared no one, the media included, but the Club managed to pull thru because of the help of our awardees and it is only right that we recognized them and extend the Club’s gratitude and appreciation at this time,” Gutierrez explained further.
He noted further that other individuals and organizations who helped the Club during the pandemic’s worst moments in 2020 were also similarly awarded and recognized during their 68th anniversary last year.