The late Gil Manese, a Filipino community leader who died of heart attack in his hometown in June, was given a posthumous award from his group in Jeddah Friday night. The award was received by his son, Gil Manese Jr., from the Kapulungan ng Samahang Pilipino (KASAPI) during the opening ceremony for the 28th season of the FBA Basketball tournament at the Saudi Hi-Tech Compound in Jeddah Current KASAPI Chairman Vic Auila said the award is given to Manese for his exemplary contribution in helping push the welfare of the overseas Filipinos when he was still alive. Manese died of heart attack on June 25 while on vacation in Pampanga, his home province. His son thanked the Filipino community in Jeddah for remembering and giving honor to his late father. “I felt the respect and the recognition given to my father and our family will never forget this moment,” he said when he received the award. Twenty-two teams from different companies in Jeddah, Suhaiba and Rabigh participated in the tournament attended by about 500 Filipinos and other nationals. Edgar Mendoza, current president of the FBA said the tournament's 28th season is dedicated to Manese who was the group's president for many years. The organizing committee offers are Edgar Mendoza, president; tournament commissioner, Abel Chavenia; tournament director, Edar Ainza; technical director, Noel Miguel; treasurer and finance director, Paul Antiporda; operations director, Rudy Ruaya; peace and security director, Janno Ruaya. The committee members are Delfin Borja, Angel Garcia, R-Jay and Mario delos Santos.
