By definition, awards are tangible and formal recognitions given to individuals or entities for their outstanding achievements or contributions in a particular field.
Whether in the form of a certificate, trophy, medal or plaque, they are conferred on those who have “excelled in their respective endeavors, surpassing expectations and demonstrating exceptional skill, talent or expertise.
Usually presented through organized ceremonies or competitions, awards are often acquired by way of a competitive process where the recognition is based on a set criteria or benchmark.
In the world, among the most prestigious awards are the Nobel Prize for peace and humanitarian scientific efforts, the Grammys in music, the Academy Awards and Golden Globes for film, the Booker Prize in literature, and the Pulitzer Prize in journalism.
In Asia, the Ramon Magsaysay Award was first awarded in 1958 for outstanding contributions in Government Service, Public Service, Community Leadership, Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts, Peace and International Understanding and Emergent Leadership.
In 2009, awards in the first six categories were discontinued, with only the one for Emergent Leadership given until today.
There are other lesser known but nevertheless prestigious awards given in the continent, especially in business and management.
In this country where many Filipinos regard awards as something to be proud of, complete with social media posts and tarpaulin announcements, some organizations have made money out of this fascination with awards.
Thus, one comes across reports that this congressman, governor or mayor have been cited as outstanding public servant by a group which, many former or current elective officials say, ask the recipient to fork over a sum of money for advertisements in the souvenir program or for expenses in holding the ceremony.
In this Happy Island, The Outstanding Catandunganon Award (TOCA) recognizes islanders of good personal reputation, whether natural born or born of Catandunganon parents, whose dedication and commitment to his or her profession or vocation has made significant contributions to the advancement of his/her calling, public welfare, and provincial, regional, national and/or international development.
But sadly, the last time TOCAs were given out was in 2019, when the Catanduanes State University handled the selection process, a year before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.
In the interim, a number of award-giving ceremonies have been conducted, though not by the provincial government.
Recently, several hundred people, among them elective officials, were reportedly notified that they have been selected to receive a Presidential Award for their outstanding contributions to the award giver’s vision and for supporting the ideals of a nascent political movement.
Among those selected just a few hours before the ceremony were mayors and vice mayors of the 11 towns. For reasons unsaid but suspected by many, Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes and Vice Mayor Arlynn Arcilla were not in the list.
Unfortunately for the award giver, only three vice mayors went up the stage to receive their awards, printed on paper unlike the beautiful acrylic trophy mounted on a lacquered wood base given to other recipients.
Those who did not attend the affair probably wouldn’t mind missing the affair as, like victims of injustice, they most likely asked themselves: “What have I done to deserve this?”
As an award derives a lot of its prestige from the reputation of the award-giving body, the absentee local officials would have dropped everything and ran to the ceremony if they were certain they deserved the award and from a reputable award giver at that.
Where a certificate, plaque or trophy ends after the ceremony will certainly speak volumes about how much it is worth to the recipient.
But it will not matter much to the person who knows the true measure of his worth and so will the people who knows his or her character, values and positive impact to the community.