MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) confered a special award to "May Bukas Pa" stars Tonton Gutierrez and Precious Lara Quigaman for their excellent portrayal of police officers on the hit television show.

Police Director German Doria, the Director of the Directorate for Police Community Relations, spearheaded the awarding ceremony on Monday, June 6, as the police force celebrated the 14th Community Relations Month in Camp Crame.

A plaque of appreciation was given to the stars for boosting the PNP's image.

"Si Lara and si Tonton are showing to the people 'yon pong model police - hindi perpektong mga tao subalit ang kanilang serbisyo ay naayon sa kanilang sinumpaang  tungkulin," Doria told :SNN: Showbiz News Ngayon."

"Mabuhay kayong dalawa at sana ay maisapuso niyo din ang buhay ng ating kapulisan. Saludo ako sa inyo," he said.

Gutierrez and Quigaman, who played a police couple in "May Bukas Pa," expressed their happines and gratitude for the said award in an interview.

"I would like to thank the PNP for giving us this award. It's an honor. Ang role po na ginagawa namin ay maganda po siyang halimbawa sa mga kapulisan," Gutierrez said.

"Feeling namin pulis na pulis kami pero na-realize namin kung gaano kahirap. Sobrang overwhelmed ang feeling. This is really a blessing. On behalf of the whole cast ng  'May Bukas Pa' lahat ng cast and crew - hindi lang kami, kasi everyone behind it deserves the award din - maraming maraming salamat po," Quigaman ended.