Giovanni Bonello is Johnnie Walker Man of the Year
Judge Giovanni Bonello has been named Johnnie Walker Man of the Year, an award launched this year.
The nominees had to reflect the core brand essence of Johnnie Walker, which inspires the life story of continuous personal progress and achievement. Judge Bonello, who sits on the European Court of Human Rights, symbolised all this, a spokesman for the promoters said.
In his acceptance speech during the prize-giving ceremony held at Hilton Malta's Grand Masters' Suite, Judge Bonello spoke of man's fundamental freedoms.
It was not just a matter of freedom of expression. There were other freedoms that were just as crucial, like freedom from poverty; freedom from retribution and freedom from hunger. "Imagine speaking about freedom of expression to a person who has nothing to eat," Judge Bonello said to a standing ovation.
Judge Bonello also won the professionals category. Trevor Zahra won the arts and entertainment category; Chris Dougall the sports section and Ivan Bartolo won the business/entrepreneur category.
They were selected by a judging panel composed of Albert Fenech, Marie Therese Zammit, Winston J. Zahra, Lou Bondì and Sarah Puntan-Galea.
Readers of the Circle magazine could also vote.
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In Discussion
11 Comments
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J Bonello
Oct 22nd 2008, 14:54
@ Bernard Agius ... there is the "The Bailey’s Woman of the Year Award" !!!
Bernard Agius
Oct 22nd 2008, 07:40
Besides being a ridiculous title, the next question I have is whether there is also a corresponding Woman of the Year award? If so, why hasn't it been reported on - if not, why not?
John Borg
Oct 20th 2008, 18:19
I agree with J. Abela. In Judge Bonello's position, I would not have accepted this award, especially given the reference to the winner reflecting the "core brand essence." Why would a judge want to help the brand sell more of its alcoholic product considering the incidence of alcohol abuse among the country's youths. Surely there are more appropriate venues and opportunities for judges to speak about "man's fundamental freedoms"?
v.vella
Oct 20th 2008, 16:39
Hic! Confag...congrang...... congang..... Well done Judge hic!
Dunstan Crockford
Oct 20th 2008, 15:15
In my youth we called so many by that title!!!!! and somehow they never walked straight!!!! To give this as an `honour` verges on the ridiculous!!!!
J Martinelli
Oct 20th 2008, 15:00
A fine man deserves fine whiskey.
Lighten up folks!
Congratulations Judge Giovanni Bonello !
vincent a galea
Oct 20th 2008, 13:19
YES! What a ridiculous title!! When first reading the heading, I thought "WOW! HAS JUDGE BONELLO BECOME AN ALCOHOLIC?" !!! Then I thought that maybe it is because "HE IS STILL GOING STRONG!"
WHO IS THE BRIGHT SPARK THAT CAME UP WITH THIS CAPTION??!! There are innumerable suitable names that REFLECT 'continuous personal progress and achievements' . Maybe the Whiskey sponsored this.......??!!
J Abela
Oct 20th 2008, 13:00
Somehow I think that the sponsorship (and hence the title of the award) is misplaced.
Despite the good intentions behind awarding personal achievement - of which I have no doubt the Hon. Judge is deservedly and correctly associated with - having alcohol paraded about with the excuse of an award is questionable.
What do Sedqa and other NGOs have to say about this?
With a little bit of imagination (which isn't scarce, mind you), the name of the award might also imply that the honourable recipient came first in a whiskey binge.
It wouldn't have been so bad if the report below would have said that the judging panel and the sponsors support the responsible consumption of alcohol. Even adverts in the media do so nowadays: taglines like "Enjoy **** responsibly", for instance.
And yes - I personally do enjoy a drink every now and again.
C. Buhagiar
Oct 20th 2008, 12:38
johnny walker tal-whiskey?? u ejja man!
J Grima
Oct 20th 2008, 11:29
What sort of name is that? It sounds like a title teenagers give to their peers after a drinking competition!
E Gatt
Oct 20th 2008, 10:50
I think Judge Giovanni Bonello would be an excellent President of the Republic when Eddie Fenech Adami steps down next year.