21 January 2015 – Anita Aquino Sasaki, fondly known as Nanay Anita by the Filipino community in Japan, received the highest honors awarded by the Philippine Government for Filipinos living overseas as recipient of the 2014 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas. President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred on her the Banaag Award, given to Filipino individuals or associations for their significant contributions to advance the cause of overseas Filipino communities, at ceremonies held in Rizal Hall, Malacanan Palace on 5 December 2014. She is cited for her pioneering work in youth development and for establishing Tahanan ni Nanay, a shelter for Filipinos in distress and a learning center for Filipino-Japanese youth.

Nanay Anita Sasaki displays her medal as recipient of the 2014 Presidential Awards during her call on Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez on 20 January 2015. Also present at the call was Consul General Marian Tirol-Ignacio.

Nanay Anita called on Ambassador Manuel M. Lopez on 20 January 2015 soon after her arrival in Tokyo. Ambassador Lopez expressed great pride for the honor received by Nanay Anita, the lone Filipina living in Japan to receive the 2014 Presidential Awards. 33 distinguished and outstanding overseas Filipinos and foreign-based organizations from 12 countries were recipients of the 2014 Presidential Awards, including singer Lea Salonga, pianist Cecile Licad, “Frozen” composer Robert Lopez, investigative journalist and Columbia University dean Sheila Coronel, US White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford, South Korean legislator Jasmine Lee, horticulturist William Dar, pediatric immunologist Katherine Luzuriaga, ophthalmologist Paolo Antonio Silva and MicroPact founder Kristoffer Collo.

Nanay Anita expressed her warm appreciation for the invaluable support extended by Ambassador Lopez and the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo. She generously acknowledged that the honor she received belongs to all and lauded Ambassador Lopez for inspiring her service to the Filipino community. She recounted how she felt humbled to be among the company of many accomplished and highly educated luminaries during the awarding ceremonies. She recalled her remarks at the ceremonial dinner hosted by Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Imelda Nicolas for the Presidential honorees where she shared the power of a mother’s heart and the importance of caring for the family, particularly the children who are most vulnerable.

The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo nominated Nanay Anita for the 2014 Presidential Awards in recognition of the invaluable assistance she extended to distressed Filipinos, particularly women and their children. This year’s awardees were thoroughly screened from a total of 157 nominations out of 29 countries by 3 different committees with representatives from the government, civil society, media, academe, religious and business sectors, and by President Aquino himself.

Since its inception, the Presidential Awards were bestowed on 367 Filipino individuals and organizations overseas from 46 countries and territories. Institutionalized in 1991 through Executive Order No. 498, the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas is a biennial recognition given to individuals or organizations who significantly contribute to the well-being of Filipinos overseas and supports the country’s development initiatives. The last recipient of the Presidential Awards by a Filipina residing in Japan is Ms. Marie Bernabe Nihei who received the Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino Award in 2004. END

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