The Philippine Online Chronicles

In a bid to promote inspiration and nationalistic pride among Filipinos around the world, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) honored Charice Pempengco and Dr. Manuel Cacdac on Friday, November 26, 2010.

International singing sensation Pempengco and Hydrocephalus Foundation of the Philippines chairman Cacdac were recognized at the BPInoy Awards yesterday for their "exceptional achievements and contributions to the global Filipino community."

BPI said that Pempengco and Cacdac have truly demonstrated inherent Filipino values through exemplary achievements in the global scene.

According to Teresita Tan, BPI executive vice president and head of its Overseas Banking and Channels Services group, the BPInoy awards create an avenue for Filipinos around the world to connect, inspire and to celebrate distinct nationalistic pride.

"BPI recognized our deserving countrymen, whose stories attest to the world that we, Filipinos, are globally competitive," Tan said.

An inspiration

The 18-year-old Pempengco, who was brought to worldwide attention through videos posted by fans on YouTube, was unable to attend the ceremonies due to sickness.

Instead, she sent a video message. She said that it was an honor for her to be included in the roster of notable Filipinos excelling in their careers.

She likewise expressed regret for not coming over to personally receive the award. "Asahan po ninyo na sa bawat kantang [aking] aawitin, ang mga Pinoy ang isasaisip ko (Rest assured that in every song I will sing, I will have every Filipino in mind)," she said.

Her Philippine manager Grace Mendoza accepted the award on her ward's behalf, citing that the said recognition serves to inspire Pempengco.

Helping children with hydrocephalus

The US-based Dr. Cacdac, a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas who also finished his residency at the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, has been involved in various humanitarian missions here in the Philippines for many years. He said that until recently he had no idea he was nominated for the BPI merit.

"While packing medical equipment for a humanitarian mission, I received a call from my cousin that I was nominated for it (BPinoy Awards) and had been chosen to be this year's awardee," he explained after being presented the award.

Dr. Cacdac, together with the foundation he established, is committed to perform surgeries on less fortunate Filipino children suffering from hydrocephalus (enlargement of the head due to abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain). If left untreated, babies who have hydrocephalus can go blind and suffer mental retardation later on.

The neurosurgeon said that they are concerned with those needy children whose families have no capacity to seek urgent medical attention.

"[They] do not even have money to buy milk or [fare] to visit clinics," he said.

He encouraged the audience to support their projects.

A discovery

Charice, born Charmaine Clarice Pempengco, manifested talent as early as age four, when her mother noticed her daughter's loud but enthusiastic version of "Happy Birthday" and decided to teach the child proper vocal technique.

At seven years old, the young Charice was already competing in local singing contests. She then joined a local TV talent show, "Little Big Star," where she got her breakthrough. A fan of hers posted a video of her performances on YouTube, leading to her appearance at a South Korean talent show, "Star King," where she awed the audience with her powerful performance.

She ended up attracting the attention of American TV show hosts Ellen Degeneres and Oprah Winfrey when her new videos uploaded by fans at the video-sharing site went viral. Oprah, mesmerized by the voice of the lass from Laguna, pledged support for Charice's singing career.

Charice is David Foster's newest discovery, according to Channel News Asia. The music composer and producer is likewise credited for discovering Josh Groban and Michael Bublé.

Charice has already performed in US cities including Las Vegas and Washington DC, and sang a duet with Celine Dion in New York. She also performed in Italy with world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli.

Making a better place

After finishing a fellowship in Microsurgery at Mt. Sinai, Dr. Cacdac joined the US Navy as Asst. Chief of Neurosurgery at the Naval Hospital in Boston during the height of the Vietnam conflict. He provided neurosurgical care to war casualties, military personnel and their dependents.

After serving in the military, he joined a multi-specialty clinic in Kentucky for two years then relocated his practice to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he stayed from 1975 to the present. He is concurrently an attending neurosurgeon at the Terre Haute Regional Hospital and Union Hospital.

Cacdac is a member of the Indiana Neurological Society and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. A fellow of the International College of Surgeons, he is one of the Surgical Mission Team Leaders of the Society of Philippine Surgeons in America (SPSA).

Indiana Governor Joseph Kernan gave the "Sagamore of the Wabash" Award to Dr. Cacdac in 2004 in appreciation of the surgeon's commitment to making Indiana a better place.

Cacdac has also been involved with SPSA's surgical missions in the Philippines since the early '90s. The group also procures supplies and asks for donations. Usually, their team performs 300 to 500 surgeries per trip.

International icons

BPI president and CEO Aurelio Montinola III said that the award recognizes the "remarkable Filipinos that made us proud being Pinoys."

According to him, the awards are a part of their company's commitment to give recognition to overseas Filipinos who, in spite of being far from loved ones in the Philippines, excelled and displayed inherent Filipino values whatever their occupations are.

Charice and Dr. Cacdac are among the "icons" of Filipinos, who show by example to the world "what the Filipino can do," according to Montinola.

Past honorees include world-renowned musical theater artist Lea Salonga, US-based technology entrepreneur Diosdado Banatao, international fashion designer Monique Lhuillier, heart surgeon Dr. George Garcia of Asian Hospital & Medical Center, fashion designer Josie Natori, first Filipino BBC anchor Rico Hizon, White House executive chef Cristeta Pasia-Comerford, chief representative for the Asia and the Pacific at the Bank for International Settlements Dr. Eli Remolona, and painter Anita Magsaysay-Ho.

According to BPI, individuals of Filipino heritage, regardless of current citizenship, may be nominated for their outstanding achievements as long as they have lived overseas.

"It is not an easy task for the Board of Judges [to decide on the winners] because there are a lot of passionate, hardworking Filipinos who give back to our homeland," Tan said in a speech.