(This content was originally published in my old personal website/blog, IndayWorks.com, Nov 1999. A few minor text edits are done.)

I didn’t prepare any speech at the awards, so I was not able to thank all the persons who helped me the most and inspired me a lot…

My family, first and foremost my wonderful parents — This is our award Mama and Papa. I dedicate my award to both of you. PJ and JP, my brothers who, for some reasons have always put up with me and all my spoiled brattiness. Mama Cordie, Kuya Jojo, for all the support and help whenever I need it! Tita Onie, Tito Johnny, Geno and dear Kei Ann, You were all very supportive all throughout my life and up to this wonderful moment! Thank you, I cannot as for more you are the best relatives we could ever have. Ate Vangie, for all the encouragement, support and insipring emails (naks naman!). Same goes for Ate Marie, and Kuya Danny. Far-cousin Wales, for the neverending ….. oh secret na lang!! Cousin Chiqui, I am thankful that I could always count on you, wherever, whenever! Even in critical times (you know— hehee). To all my other cousins and relatives too. Pahabol to my relatives and family friends in the U.S. – Uncle Ben, Rachel, Ate Ellen, Kuya Dave, …. Ate Maphie, Kuya Boy and Family, Nanay and Daddy. And also my dearest cousins here in the Philippines — how can I forget?! — Ate Carolle, Kuya Ronnie, Kuya Kenrick, Kuya Jonah.

Donna Cruz, mare, finally we have been REALLY recognized for our website…!! this would not happen if not for your contributions and this would not happen if not for you! You have inspired me so much to do the Donna Cruz website and through that website my LIFE jumpstarted — My web career began, I got a whole new set of genuine online friends, I developed and honed my design skills, and now this award! Thank you so much and thank you for your friendship. I am sharing this award with you, and your Family Yong, and little Ysabella. I am forever indebted to the Donna Cruz Website.

To my friends Baduj and David who are literally always there, to my gatecrasher friends Sherryl, Rhia, & Bugay (at isama na si Leng!), to my college friends Noelle, Cho, Tuks, and Tonio (sige na nga kahit galit pa rin ako sa iyo… salamat sa pagsama-sama mo sa akin papunta kina Donna, sa mga premiere nights ng movies ni Donna, and eventually sa bridal shower party ni Donna! Pero galit pa rin ako, sayang hindi mo nakita ang sophisticated Awards night na ito.). Of course to my web-discovered friends Rachelle(oh gosh I forgot to send the letters!!), Tita Tek, Mike, Che, Michelle (how can I forget!!!) and everyone else I met in the Donna Cruz community. To the rest of the TeamEscape (Escapingflatland.com – where I work) members– Kristine, Michelle, Ybette, Matt & Kurt, thank you for being very very supportive and for the confidence and trust in my talents.

Lastly, to the people who have helped me most in establishing the website — RG, thanks so much for all your help. Remember the chat sessions we need to have to setup in 1997 for the first ever Donna Chat? And the second one? And the video of donna’s appearance in ASAP, and to the countless javascript codes and style tricks I ‘stole’ from you with permission way back! Thank you so much, you have influenced and helped me a lot with establishing the Donna Cruz Website. This should be your award too. Sharon Baliat, you may not know it, but now I remember really liking your website back in 1996 that I patterned my first-ever website from yours! It was very good then.. and so thank you! Johnny B. and Charles Dexter Lim for all the ‘breaks’ — thank you for having complete trust in my talents and giving me good project referrals and seminar referrals.

How could I have forgotten to say thank you to Ocra Frog (of New York, HK, and the world)? Ocra! you know who you are, and I thank you for always inspiring me. “You are the sunshine of my life, forever you’ll stay in my heart!”. So don’t get big headed now after reading that =) Thanks for being such a good friend.

Im sure I have forgotten a lot of people…. If I forgot to mention you, THANK YOU. 🙂 From the bottom of my heart.

Here are some more pictures during the awards:

 

 

The 1999 Philippine Web Awards was held on November 17, 1999 at the New World Hotel in Makati, Philippines.  Their original website ceased to exist after the awards stopped several years later.