Flashback: BAMMI's awardees for Boholano Achievers in Metro Manila 2000. (Top, L-R) Erico Aumentado, Jose Abueva, Napoleon Abueva; Anselmo Avenido, (Middle, L-R) Angelo Balili, Margarita Galon, (Bottom, L-R) Maximo Maceren; Victor Nituda, Fely Ramos, and Bernardo Salas. Not in photo: Cesar Montano and Mario Relampagos. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The campaign to recognize Outstanding Boholanos in Metro Manila (OBMM) for 2007 has snowballed, exciting Bohol Association of Metro Manila Inc. (BAMMI) chairperson Purita Soliven, president Bernie Calibo, and finance committee chair Tita Lapez. Categories have been increased and nominations have been piling up. Not only that, BAMMI project director Joseph Rañola says. Interest has also heated up for the organization's two other projects, Search for Miss BAMMI 2007 and Preserve CPG's Heritage: Save the Museum.

Rañola stresses that the expanded number of categories for OBMM is meant to create awareness of Boholanos' achievements in Metro Manila. This is being done by drawing out and "discovering" low profile Boholanos who have quietly reached the apex of their respective fields through the years. Consequently, Rañola adds, this process is expected to lead to greater camaraderie and stronger fellowship among Boholanos in Metro Manila.

The OBMM award will also serve as a launching pad for nationwide and international recognition for Boholanos, except when they have already been cited earlier. BAMMI will automatically nominate OBMM awardees to be included in the selection of the Outstanding Boholanos in this year's Sandugo celebrations. BAMMI will also select OBMM awardees to be fielded for the Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World (TOBAW),

BOHOLANO ACHIEVERS RECOGNIZED IN 2000

The project, Outstanding Boholanos in Metro Manila 2007, headed by committee chairman Cerie Uy, draws inspiration from its predecessor, the Outstanding Boholano Achievers in Metro Manila. This earlier project was conceptualized and implemented by BAMMI when the organization celebrated its 76th anniversary. Awarding ceremonies were held on August 12, 2000 at the ballroom of the Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City.

Former CA Associate Justice Maximo A. Maceren and CA Associate Justice Bernardo L. Salas were top Boholano Achievers for the Judiciary. Business Sector awardee was top entrepreneur Angelo R. Balili, while Professionals Sector awardee was CPA topnotcher Fely Tiempo-Ramos. Cesar Montano was Arts and Entertainment Sector awardee.

Posthumous Awards were given to President Carlos P. Garcia and Admiral Tomas A. Cloma.

EIGHT CATEGORIES FOR OBMM 2007

For this year's edition, the OBMM committee has come up with eight categories for awards. These include the following: Government Service (Executive, Judiciary, Legislative/Elective, and Military Sectors), Business, Professional, Media, Arts and Culture, Sports, Overseas Filipino Workers and Labor. To be automatically be nominated are Boholanos who have obtained top positions have rendered significant contributions in their respective fields.

The first category, the Government Sector, includes these sub-categories: the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches; elected officials in Metro Manila and the Military. Qualified for the Executive Branch award is Director and up, or any equivalent position; for Judicial, Judge and up; for Legislative, Congressman and up; for Elected Officials in Metro Manila, Mayor; and for the Military, Colonel and up, or the equivalent rank.

The second OBMM category is the Business Sector, which includes Corporate and Entrepreneur sub-categories. Qualified for the Corporate award is Vice President and up, or equivalent rank in the Top 1000 Corporations in the Philippines: and for Entrepreneur, single proprietors with significant contribution to the industry to which he or she belongs.

The third category, the Professional Sector, will award Top Ten Bar/Board Passers. The fourth OBMM category is the Arts and Culture Sector, which embraces practitioners of the visual arts, performing arts, music, and other cultural areas. This category will also honor Boholanos who have made significant contribution to the culture and arts.

The fifth category, the Media Sector, awards outstanding Boholano newspapermen and journalists, who have excelled in either Print or Broadcast media, or both.

The sixth category is the Sports Sector, which will award Boholanos who have made significant contributions to their respective field of sports.

The seventh OBMM category, the Overseas Filipino Workers Sector, will recognize Seafarers, to include Captain, Chief Engineer, or equivalent rank/designation; and Land-based OFW's presently in the country.

The eighth OBMM category is the Labor Sector.

BAMMI SPECIAL CITATIONS

The BAMMI Core Group, upon a majority vote, may give special awards to Boholanos residing in Metro Manila and its environs who have been noteworthy achievement/s in their field or industry, or to successful individuals who have brought honor to the Province of Bohol in particular and to the country in general. Boholanos who made substantial contributions to the welfare and prestige of the Province of Bohol will also be singled out.

A Chairman's Award will be given to Past BAMMI Presidents and Chairmen, while a President's Award will be given to BAMMI officers who have served 2 or more terms.

Other awards for deserving individuals with extraordinary accomplishments may also be considered by the Core Group.

EXTENDED NOMINATION PERIOD FOR OBMM

The nomination period for Outstanding Boholanos in Metro Manila has been extended until Tuesday, February 6, 2007. Inquiries and nominations may be forwarded to BAMMI secretary Dovic Tirol (0921-2248448) or coordinator Baby Luzano (0922-9319281).

Both may also be reached at (02) 522-2765 in Manila.