official Outstanding Eastern Visayans Awards (OEVA) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Facebook pages.
Tacloban City— Eastern Visayas is known for its scenic destinations and rich cultural traditions. Beyond these, the region is home to individuals whose leadership, service, and achievements have helped shape its communities and define its identity.
Recognizing that these stories deserve to be celebrated, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VIII, in partnership with Tingog Party-list, is set to honor the inaugural recipients of the Outstanding Eastern Visayans Awards (OEVA) on July 31.
“We are excited to honor this year’s awardees and celebrate the remarkable stories that have helped shape the region. Their journeys reflect the dedication, excellence, and commitment that continue to move our region forward, and we look forward to sharing these inspiring stories with the public,” said Ma. Catherina Apostol, Officer-in-Charge, Regional Director of DOT Region VIII.
First launched in April through a region-wide call for nominations, OEVA reflects DOT Region VIII’s broader vision of tourism as a platform for celebrating the people who drive sustainable and inclusive progress across Eastern Visayas.
OEVA will recognize exemplary individuals across 10 sectors: arts, culture and tourism; public service and governance; business, innovation, science and technology; education and research; environmental protection; health; youth leadership; media and communication; faith; and philanthropy.
“The awardees come from diverse sectors and backgrounds, but their stories reflect the many ways individuals can make a meaningful difference. We hope these stories encourage more Eastern Visayans to pursue excellence in their own fields, serve their communities, and contribute to the continued progress of our region,” Apostol said.
The recipients of this year’s OEVA were selected through a rigorous, merit-based evaluation process involving independent validation, interviews, and deliberation by the Board of Judges. The process was overseen by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Philippines as the official tabulator, with a Board of Judges composed of respected leaders from various sectors, including prominent local figure Henry Gosyco of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tacloban-Leyte.
The awardees will be formally honored on July 31, and the public is invited to watch the livestream beginning at 6:00 p.m. through the official Outstanding Eastern Visayans Awards (OEVA) and Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Facebook pages to celebrate this year’s honorees and hear the inspiring stories behind their contributions. (PR)
