The Negros Cultural Foundation and the governors of Western Visayas paid tribute to Gov. Joseph Marañon at the awarding of the first Pagdayaw Award for Culture and Arts to him at rites at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City yesterday.

The award was posthumously given to the governor through his wife, Aida, by Lyn Gamboa, and Antique Gov. Sally Perez, chairman of the Regional Development Council of Western Visayas.

Perez said another award will be given by the RDC to the governor on Friday.

Governors Perez, Felipe Nava – Guimaras, Niel Tupas – Iloilo and Isidro Zayco – Negros Occidental took turns in lauding Marañon at the awarding rites.

Perez lauded Marañon for his support of the arts, his political will to get things done, and to speak up on controversial issues.

The Antique governor said she hopes Zayco, who worked closely with Marañon in carrying out his vision for Negros Occidental, will decide to run for governor in 2010.

Gov. Marañon was not just a good man, he was a great man who had the political will to make Negros Occidental one of the most progressive provinces in the country, Tupas said.

 Gov. Marañon dreamed big dreams, impossible was an unknown word to him, Tupas said.

Marañon planted the idea of pursuing the building of bridges to connect Negros to Panay and Cebu and it is a dream left to those left behind to pursue, he added.

Nava called Marañon a great loss to Negros Occidental, while Zayco called him the best governor the province ever had.

Gamboa said the Pagdayaw Award is a joint project of the NCF and the RDC that will  be given annually.

She said the governor who was known for a more efficient local government, aggressive social services, better housing, education and health services, was also a strong supporter of culture and the arts.

He saw to it that the Negros Museum became a reality, Gamboa said.

“Gov. Marañon said he did this because the arts deserve better from government,” Gamboa said.

Mrs. Marañon thanked those who gave her husband the Pagdayaw Award and for recognizing him as a patron of the arts. She said her family will continue helping efforts to preserve Negros Occidental’s heritage and ensuring greater appreciation of the arts.*CPG

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