Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso honored exceptional Manileños across the fields of education, public health, socio-civic work, culture and arts, mass media, sports, youth development, and environmental stewardship at the Gawad Manileño 2026 awards ceremony held at the Metropolitan Theater.
The event, held under the theme “Gawad Manileño 2026: Pagpupugay sa Kahusayan at Paglilingkod,” marked the 455th founding anniversary of the City of Manila, celebrated this year under the theme “Matatag sa Hamon, Pinagtibay ng Panahon.”
In his remarks, Domagoso said the Gawad Manileño is more than a trophy or a certificate—describing it as a tradition passed down by Manila’s earliest leaders as a tribute to individuals and groups who have demonstrated excellence and service to the city.
“Ang Gawad Manilenyo ay hindi lamang isang tropeo, hindi lamang isang sertipiko, at hindi lamang basta pagkilala.”
“Ang Gawad Manilenyo ay hindi lamang isang tropeo, hindi lamang isang sertipiko, at hindi lamang basta pagkilala. Ito’y isang tradisyong ating sinusundan na isinalin sa atin ng mga unang namuno sa Lungsod ng Maynila,” the mayor said.
He said the true measure of a city’s success lies not in its structures, but in the quality of life of its people—and that each awardee embodies the spirit of this year’s anniversary theme.
“A great city is not built by the government alone; it is built by the citizens who choose to care,” Domagoso stressed.
He also addressed the city’s young people, expressing hope that they would find inspiration in the awardees and be reminded that success becomes meaningful only when it lifts others up.
“Ang Maynila ay hindi dakila dahil ito ay kabisera ng bansa.”
“Ang Maynila ay hindi dakila dahil ito ay kabisera ng bansa. Dakila ang Maynila dahil sa mga Manilenyong araw-araw na lumalaban, nagsisikap, nagmamalasakit, at nagmamahal sa kani-kaniyang kapwa,” Domagoso concluded.
