Ang Pahayagan

BALER, Aurora — Thirty residents of Aurora Province were recognized as this year’s recipients of the Bughaw Awards 2026, honoring individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to environmental protection, peace and unity advocacy, youth inspiration, and excellence in their respective fields.

The recognition forms part of the celebration of the 30th founding anniversary of the Noble Blue Falcons International (NBFI), an environmental advocacy group composed of volunteers from the media, government sectors, and non-government organizations.

According to NBFI Administrator Julius D. Morilla, the awards aim to recognize individuals who have made meaningful contributions to their communities and helped promote Aurora as a premier eco-tourism destination.

Meanwhile, NBFI National Chairman Joseph Beatriz Usita said the awardees underwent strict screening and background checks to ensure that they embody the organization’s core values of environmental stewardship, peace-building, and volunteerism.

“The recipients were carefully evaluated based on their accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy in protecting the environment, promoting unity, and helping guide the youth of Aurora,” Usita said.

Among the awardees are prominent public officials and community leaders including Juan Edgardo M. Angara, Rommel Rico T. Angara, Patrick Angara, and several Aurora mayors such as Rhett Ronan T. Angara, Danilo A. Tolentino, Ariel S. Bitong, Arvee Vargas, Roynald S. Soriano, Romner A. Agustin, and Aurora Guzman-Taay.

Also recognized were youth advocate and DepEd Assistant Secretary Dexter A. Galban, police officials Ferdinand B. Usita and Bartolome A. Antolin, and legal practitioners including Rocky R. Dujunco, Evalor C. Paulo-Villanueva, and Christian M. Noveras.

In the fields of media, entrepreneurship, sports, and education, honorees include veteran media practitioner Jason Francisco V. De Asis, along with broadcasters Bernard Rada and Ferdinand Pascual. Entrepreneurs Mae Tolentino-Mendoza and Melvin M. Garcia, athlete Leonard Grospe, and educator Jeannefer Olivar Lopez were also honored.

Other awardees include Denise Alyanna Angara, Faye De Jesus-Tubera, Limuel B. Donato, Yvonne V. Gutierrez, vlogger Samuel D. Gocheco, beauty titleholder Rochel Bello, and Aurora Provincial Administrator Shierwin H. Taay.

Usita emphasized that the recognition not only celebrates achievements but also encourages community participation in environmental conservation efforts such as tree planting, forest protection, and monitoring against illegal logging.

As part of the recognition, all awardees will be granted honorary membership in NBFI, which currently has more than 555,000 members worldwide advocating for environmental protection and sustainable development.

Founded on March 19, 1996, at Mt. Falcon in the Philippines, the organization continues to mobilize environmental mountaineers and volunteers, particularly in the Sierra Madre, to protect forests and promote ecological awareness.

Through initiatives and advocacy campaigns, NBFI hopes the Bughaw Awards will inspire the youth of Aurora and encourage communities to actively protect the province’s natural resources and cultural heritage. (Jason de Asis)

TOP 📸 : Recognizing Aurora’s Finest Thirty outstanding residents of Aurora Province were honored as the “Best of the Best” during the 14th Bughaw Awards 2026, recognizing their remarkable contributions in protecting the environment, promoting peace and unity, inspiring the youth, and excelling in their respective fields. Organized by the Noble Blue Falcons International, the awards highlight individuals who continue to make a positive impact in their communities while helping promote Aurora Province as a premier eco-tourism destination. The recognition also coincides with the organization’s 30th founding anniversary, celebrating leaders and advocates whose dedication serves as inspiration for future generations.