The City Government of Valenzuela will rerun this year the “Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela,” a prestigious city-wide search for outstanding Valenzuelanos who have exhibited excellence in their respective fields and have contributed significantly in community development.

For the 15^th time since its inception more than a decade ago, the local government is once again inviting interested nominees for the Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela: Pagkilala sa Katangi-tanging Valenzuelano.

The 12 categories of the Search include: (1) Government Service, (2) Community Service, (3) Education, (4) Science and Technology, (5) Profession, (6) Family of the Year  Award, (7) Youth Award, (8) Sports, (9) Journalism and Literature, (10) Business/Entrepreneurship, (11) Visual & Performing Arts, and (12) Special Awards (for pursuing special advocacies).

Dr. Pio Valenzuela was one of the Kataas-taasang Tatlo (Triumvirate) of the Katipunan, along with Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.  Dr. Pio was also the brain beyond the founding the society’s organ “ Kalayaan” which is said to have boosted the membership of the secret society from merely 300 to more than 30,000.

The Search started in 1996 by virtue of an executive order creating the Dr. Pio A. Valenzuela Memorial Awards Committee. In 2005, the awarding ceremony was officially named as Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela and its set of categories was also improved.

Chosen awardees this 2017 shall be given the official Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela trophy, a masterpiece sculpted by multi-awarded artist Roen Capule of Paombong, Bulacan.

The official nomination form is downloadable here.

Nomination deadline is April 30, 2017.  Nomination form and supporting documents can be submitted to the City Museum, Ground Floor, Valenzuela City Hall, Valenzuela City, or through email at gawad_drpio@valenzuela.gov.ph. For inquiries, contact the Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela Secretariat at Telephone number 3521000 local 2111.

Basic Criteria for Nomination:

1. Must have been born and raised in Valenzuela for at least ten (10) years;
2. Not in any way related in the 4^th degree consanguinity or affinity with the committee members;
3. Must have consistency of achievement with the ideals of Dr. Pio Valenzuela (socio-civic involvement, etc.);
4. Nominee has not been charged nor convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude;
5. Nominee must be of good moral character and worthy of emulation;
6. Nominee must express acceptance of nomination;

Criteria for Each Category:

1. GOVERNMENT SERVICE
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Government Service, experience, and training
   3. Community, socio-cultural or religious involvement
   4. Academic preparation, research, or scholarly works
   5. Excellence in other fields of endeavor
2. COMMUNITY SERVICE
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Community, socio-cultural or religious involvement
   3. Academic preparation, experience or training
   4. Professional practice, research or scholarly works
   5. Excellence in other fields of endeavor
3. EDUCATION
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Model of life-long career commitment to education (significant contributions)
   3. Outstanding and sustained record of leadership
   4. Individual or group testimonials that provide specific examples why the nominee should be considered for the award
   5. A statement of nominee’s educational philosophy (maximum of 3 pages)
   6. List of awards, internal and external, and other recognition received for excellence
   7. Community services and other areas of service
   8. Service honors, awards or recognition received
   9. Service to professional organizations
4. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Accomplishment in the particular field that has made a significant impact in uplifting the conditions of the community/city/field of expertise/country
   3. Local/national/international recognition of achievement
   4. Sustainability of achievement that will benefit generations to come
   5. Nominee was able to break new grounds in the specific field
5. PROFESSION
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Accomplishment in the particular profession that has made a significant impact in uplifting the conditions of the community/country/field of expertise
   3. Local/national/international recognition of achievement
   4. Sustainability of achievement that will benefit generations to come
   5. Nominee was able to break new grounds in the specific field
6. FAMILY OF THE YEAR AWARD
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Living family members (parents and children or grandchildren)
   3. All family members must be accomplished in their own field/profession
   4. The family is endorsed by the barangay, church, or organization where they belong
7. YOUTH AWARD
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Has rendered outstanding contribution or services to Valenzuela’s youth sector
   3. Has achieved distinction in various fields
8. SPORTS
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Achievement in particular field such as coach, players, trainers
   3. Accomplishment in local or international competition
   4. Active in the promotion of sports in the City of Valenzuela
9. JOURNALISM AND LITERATURE
   1. Basic criteria
   2. Must have maintained a reputation of credibility and integrity in bringing news and information to the public
   3. Local and international awards and recognition
   4. The nominee must have demonstrated capacity to shape public opinion
10. BUSINESS/ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    1. Basic criteria
    2. Excellence and integrity in their field of endeavor
    3. Outstanding leadership including moral rectitude, innovative and pioneering spirit
    4. Exceptional personal achievement in the context of fulfilling the organizational mission and goals in his/her business endeavor
    5. Ability to inspire and act as a role model
    6. Outstanding contribution/service to the community and/or the nation is a plus factor
11. VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
    1. Basic criteria
    2. Local and international awards and recognition
    3. Outstanding personal achievements whose works have consistently inspired the artistic sense of all;
    4. Artistic works have contributed immensely to the nation or community
12. SPECIAL AWARDS
    1. Basic criteria
    2. Given to individuals with outstanding achievements or special advocacies not covered by the given categories (e.g. Environment, Population, etc.)