Earlier this December, Philippines officials shined a light on Filipinos in Seattle. Their Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas recognized the outstanding community work of the Filipino Community of Seattle (FCS), honoring their organization with a “Banaag” presidential award. They honored “Uncle Bob” Santos with a “Pamana ng Pilipin” presidential award for his tireless decades-long contributions to civil rights, urban housing and community development for immigrants in the U.S.
The FCS was one of five organizations awarded the Banaag Award, and one of the 29 total distinguished and outstanding overseas Filipinos and organizations outside of the Philippines that were recognized on December 5, 2012 in a ceremony at Malacañang Palace in Manila. FCS brought a delegation of eight representatives from Seattle to attend the festivities.
Santos was one of just three “Pamana ng Pilipino” awardees this year, along with Black Eyed Peas emcee Allan Pineda for his work on education and youth and Eric Spoelstra, the first Filipino American head coach to win the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA) championship for the Miami Heat team.
Twenty-two Filipinos, five Filipino organizations, and two foreign nationals from 14 countries were selected in a rigorous evaluation process to be awarded for this year’s “Living Heroes” ceremony.
