• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
A Saudi-based Negrense visual artist is a recipient of this year’s Pamana ng Pilipino Presidential Award.
Multi-award winning international visual artist Larry Carumba is among the 13 recipients of the 2004 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO), honored by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Malacañang last week.
The PAFIOO has four award categories – Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL), Pamana ng Pilipino, Banaag, and Kaanib ng Bayan.
The PAFIOO is one of the highest recognitions conferred by the President of the Republic of the Philippines upon outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign individuals and organizations. These awards celebrate exceptional achievements and meaningful contributions that have advanced the welfare of overseas Filipinos, supported national development efforts, or raised the international profile of the Filipino diaspora.
The PAFIOO Pamana ng Pilipino Award recognizes the Filipinos overseas who have brought honor to the Philippines through excellence and distinction in their professions. Whether excelling in the arts, sciences, business, sports, or other fields, these awardees exemplify the talent and perseverance that Filipinos are known for worldwide.
Carumba, who hails from Victorias, Negros Occidental, is a medical supply company employee for 30 years cum self-taught artist recognized for his exemplary achievements as a visual artist, which earned respect and admiration for Filipino talent from the Saudi Arabian art community and created a positive image for Filipino artists and workers in general in the Middle East.
Another recipient of the Pamana ng Pilipino Award is Melvin Sanicas from Bacolod City, now based in Switzerland, is a renowned expert in global health, immunology, and preventive medicine recognized for his exemplary achievements and remarkable contributions, which aided the world’s response to COVID-19 and other formidable infectious diseases.
On the local end, Carumba, who has a divine talent for naturalistic art, is having an ongoing solo art exhibit for a cause in collaboration with the Carmelite Missionaries, at Saltimboca Tourist Inn, 15th-Lacson Street, Bacolod City. The fundraising campaign project will benefit the Divine Mercy Home for the Elderly in Bagtic, Silay City.*
