By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Laoag City—The city government here honored 15 outstanding Laoagueños for 2018 as it wrapped up celebrations for the Pamulinawen Festival Year XXII.
Laoag mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas congratulated the awardees on February 24, 2018 at the Laoag City hall auditorium.
She thanked them “for their continuous contributions that uplift the lives of the people of Laoag”.
The recognition of outstanding Laoagueños began during the term of former Laoag mayor now Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy” C. Fariñas, (1st district, Ilocos Norte). The event celebrated Laoagueños “who gave honor, distinctions and achievements for the city and its people”.
This year’s awardees are:
Education
City schools division superintendent Joel Lopez of Barangay 55-C Vira, Laoag City. His recent accomplishments include the conceptualization of Division Employee Information System; Facilitating Division Communication through social media; launching the first official magazine of the division; Implementing transparent ranking system; Initiating he conduct of mass oath taking and orientation of newly appointed teachers and employees; facilitating substitution of teachers; establishing stronger relationship between public and private schools; launching SDO Laoag City’s Learning Resource Center; and devising the Division Dynamic Circle or Learning Action Cell. Dr. Lopez also authored the first ever DepEd Laoag City Hymn which reflects the division’s thrust for continuous improvement and excellence.
George A. Alonzo of Barangay 43 Cavit Laoag City also rendered exemplary public service in the region, the division, schools and in the community. Mr. Alonzo introduced approaches or innovations in teaching which contributed to the improvement of instructions in meeting the needs of students and teachers later recognized by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts through its localized exemplar.
Rizal Angelo N. Grande of Barangay 3 Laoag City founded the Manuelita Grande Alcantara Memorial Award for Academic Excellence at Agripino P. Santos Elementary School. Mr. Grande also supports various forms of projects and advocates of his Barangay.
ICT education
Johnson Modesto A. Blanco of Barangay 2 Laoag City, director of the security and exchange monitoring services of MMSU. He fronted and led the university to become the Best and Most Peaceful Higher Education Institution in Region I for 2015 and 2016.
As an ICT and Educational Technology Faculty of MMSU-CTE, he initiated and conducted lectures in in National and Regional Teacher Trainings in ICT Education.
Culture and the arts education
Maria Eliza Simeon Lopez, Ph.D. of Barangay 55 Vira, Laoag City is a faithful lover of the Filipino Language and other languages. Dr. Lopez advocated the appropriate and continuing use of our languages.
Being the chief of the Sentro ng Wika at Kultura of the NCCA, she conducts trainings, for a, conferences, and research to further inform, orient and encourage people to love our national language and other dialects.
Research/education
Jovenita Aguilar Aragon, Ed.D. of Barangay 1 Laoag City had research paper presentations in Indonesia and Manila, wherein she informed research enthusiasts of new technology as product of her research.
In addition, she also published her work in recognized journals as the Science and Technology Journal, MMSU Research Journal, Research e-Journal Publication and Timpuyog Journal.
Agriculture education
Marc Jim Mariano of Barangay 47 Bengcag this city founded the Timpuyog Festival in 2005 with the intention of giving back to his community in his barangay which now conducts this in his community every December.
Mr. Mariano is nature lover caring for the environment which he invites youth joining him in tree planting activities.
Banking
Rafaela T. Dela Cruz of Barangay 9 Sta. Angela, Laoag City initiated the Adopt-A-Park (Siazon Park) project during her incumbency as President of the PICPA, Laoag City – Ilocos Norte Chapter. Ms. Dela Cruz is a retired bank manager and past President of the Bankers Association of Laoag City and Ilocos Norte Chapter.
Dante G. Bolusan of Barangay 3 this city actively participates in opposing BIR’s proposed increase in zonal valuation in Laoag City thru BALCIN and RC Laoag City. Mr. Bolusan initiated the granting of scholarships to poor but deserving students of MMSU by the BALCIN plus an annual gift giving to indigent families and inmates of the city jail by the RC Laoag.
Community service/construction business
Fulgencia B. Taylan of Barangay 50 Buttong this city devotes her full time and invaluable services to her construction business through providing jobs to the people as well as improvement infrastructure throughout Luzon.
Ms. Taylan helps in the operation of the Saint Lorenzo Ruiz Medical-Dental Clinic at the Diocese of Laoag.
She also contributed to the livelihood of the people through employment.
Journalism
Celestina C. Paz of Barangay 8 this city spearheaded programs and projects in the city of Laoag and other communities including the annual “Broadcasteering” a tree planting activity of KBP Ilocos Norte Chapter.
Likewise, “Kapiling Bawat Pasko” KBP, an annual gift giving activity of broadcasters at the Tahanang Carmela D’Amore, an orphanage run by the Sisters of the Divine Zeal in Laoag City.
Government/public service
the late former Laoag mayor Cesar Ventura of Barangay 50 Buttong this city saw the vision of finishing the road to La Paz sand adventure and connecting it to the majestic sand dunes and to the sea as he envisioned it as paradise for the children and the people of Laoag and from other places.
The former mayor pulled out all heavy equipment and all his personal workers then in a mining company to work for the road called “Ventura Highway” leading to the La Paz sand dunes and La Paz sea and an alternate route for the people of La Paz.
Enlisted reservist
Gloria Manguira of Barangay 49-B Raraburan Laoag City is a constant volunteer whenever disaster occurs.
Ms. Managuira helps in the conduct of the annual “Operation Tuli”, “gift giving to indigents, tree planting, Oplan Dalus with PGBI and Friends Unlimited, necrological services and bloodletting.
Public service
Carmencita“Menchu” Montano Senen-Tamayo of Alabang, Las Piñas City is the corporate secretary and vice president for external affairs and special projects of a Metro Manila university.
Ms. Tamayo’s advocacy is on the “Zero Waste Management Program” wherein she showcases “zero waste” activities in the school and hospital environment.
Government service
Albert Q. Valenciano who was born in Laoag and presently lives in Dasmariñas, Cavite is the first welfare officer in Italy and Israel.
Mr. Valenciano was also the first embassy officer who established and maintained the presence of Milan 24/7 at a time when there was still no Philippine Consulate General.
He was instrumental in the establishment of the Federation of Filipino Communities in Israel.