By Rachel Magday

 

NUEVA VIZCAYA, Philippines –A teacher and youth leader from Nueva Vizcaya was among the inaugural recipients of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino’s (KWF) newly established Gawad Carlos M. Padilla, an award honoring significant contributions to the promotion and preservation of Filipino and indigenous languages.

Nathacia Zierra E. Erese, a teacher and the incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson of Barangay Osmeña in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, was recognized at the awarding ceremonies held during KWF’s “Bunyi: Gabi ng Parangal” on Aug. 27 at Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila.

Former Nueva Vizcaya Governor Ruth R. Padilla—wife of the late Carlos M. Padilla and her son, Carlos “Jojo” Padilla , attended the event. “I am delighted and proud that one of our own from Nueva Vizcaya is among the awardees of the Gawad Carlos M. Padilla,” Ruth Padilla said, noting her pride in the local honoree.

Senator Loren Legarda and Party-list Representative Antonio Tinio were also named 2026 awardees of the Gawad Carlos M. Padilla. The award, created in honor of the late congressman and governor Carlos M. Padilla—himself a former Gawad Dangal ng Wika recipient—recognizes Filipinos who have made exceptional contributions to advancing, promoting and valuing the Filipino language and the country’s indigenous languages.

The ceremony was led by KWF Chairperson Atty. Marites Barrios-Taran, with Commissioners Jesus Mendillo and Carmelita Andurhaman in attendance. Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao was honored separately as the 2026 Gawad Dangal ng Wika awardee.

The event culminates the KWF’s observance of the 2026 Buwan ng Wika held under the theme “Wikang Filipino at AI: Kasangkapan sa Pananaliksik at Tulay sa Yaman ng Impormasyon