Back to work for honest security guard, Baguio’s most outstanding citizen

BAGUIO CITY – It is back to normal duties for a security guard who led this year’s Outstanding Citizens of Baguio awardees, the highlight of the 109th Baguio Charter Day celebration on Sept. 1.

Guillermo Battad Cortes was nominated by the owner of a McDonald’s food chain branch within the Insular Life compound in the city, where he works.

Lawyer Betty Lourdes Tabanda, head of the search committee of the Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB), said Cortes' honesty and dedication to service was the reason for his bagging the city’s top award for 2018.

Tabanda said the security guard was chosen “for his exemplary behavior in the exercise of his profession."

"He returned a bag containing P1 million, which was left in Maharlika, when he was still a guard there. It was not the only one. He was consistent in returning items left by the public in his workplace,” Tabanda noted.

Tabanda related that during the screening process, Cortes was asked: “Why do you treat people nicely, very respectful?"

She said his answer, in the Ilocano dialect, was: "Because I want people to respect me. I respect people so that people will respect me. I will not be able to get that respect if I don’t treat them the same way.”

Tabanda said Cortes clearly practices the Golden Rule. "Respect begets respect,” she said further describing Cortes as "an ordinary guy who makes you feel special.”

Tabanda went on to relate that Cortes had told the panel of judges in his interview that a "lowly" security guard like him could earn the people's respect by respecting others.

Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan announced the names of the other awardees as: Dr. Ester Litilit for education, Bonifacio dela Peña for professional distinction, Jose Bugayong Jr. for community service, Rosalynd Camat for education, Generosa Boado for community service, Jane Cosalan for community service, Teresita Marcelo for culture and arts, Jose Ong Tajan for community service, and Rolando Villanueva for business.

The 10 underwent different stages of judging: nomination, screening, background investigation, judging, and panel interview.

The screening committees are composed of former awardees of the city’s Outstanding Citizens Award, who were chosen by the city mayor through an Administrative Order.

Dr. Elma Donaal, SOCOB president, was among this year’s judges. She said the PHP1 million returned by security guard Cortes is an exemplary act, which must be recognized, pointing out that he did it not just once but on several occasions.

“Imagine naman na milyon na yan. Hindi siya nasilaw kahit na maliit lang sweldo niya at isauli pa ang mga naiiwan lalo na yung isang milyon na yan (Imagine that is already a million and he was not tempted despite his meager salary)," Donaal said.

There were 22 nominations submitted to the SOCOB since the search began in February. The number was trimmed down to 16, and 10 were recommended to the city government, whose names were conferred by the city and announced as this year’s awardees.

The search for outstanding citizens of Baguio is the most coveted award in this mountain resort city. It is the highest award the local government confers to a Baguio resident, who receives the accolade only once. (PNA)