Profile of THE OUTSTANDING SAN PABLEÑOS 2011

By The Selection and Awards Committee

In commemoration of the 71st Charter Anniversary of the City of San Pablo, Outstanding San Pableños have been chosen to represent what the city and its people are all about. The Outstanding San Pableños were chosen from nominees who are natural-born citizens of San Pablo or who have resided in the city for at least 20 years or naturalized citizens who have shown excellence in their professions and have contributed to the development of the country, the city, and their respective communities.

1. HEALTH SERVICES - DR. EMMANUEL DE VERATURDA LOYOLA, MD, FPSGS, FPCS

            Dr. Eman Loyola is a native of Silang, Cavite who has migrated to San Pablo when he married Marylene Isip Azucena in 1990. He is a medical doctor by profession who graduated as Doctor of Medicine and Surgery at the University of the Philippines wherein he was recipient of the Dr. Jose Mascunana and Dr. Felipe Zamora Memorial Medical scholarship grant.

            He started work by becoming a medical representative of Boehringer Ingelheim  Inc in 1984; a resident physician at Velazco Hospital in Silang, Cavite; then as consultant in surgery and later the medical director of said hospital in 1997. In between his work as physician, he had time to host a local television program and as radio commentator/ program producer of DZSP, and as a columnist of "Tinig Bayan".

            Dr. Eman, as  he is more popularly known, is a fellow of the Philippine College of Surgeons and the Philippine Society of General Surgeons. He is also a Diplomate of the Philippine Board of surgery.

            Numerous plaques of recognition, citations, certificates of appreciation and presidential awards have been received by Doc Eman from various civic and private organizations for his untiring assistance in their health programs and projects. Among these awards are the Most Outstanding Physician Award given by the Philippine Medical Association in May 2005, Plaque of Recognition for Excellent Service by the San Pablo  City Medical Society in June 2005, and the Galloner Award of the Philippine National Red Cross in September 2009.

            Dr. Eman Loyola is currently a consultant  in surgery of the San Pablo Doctors Community General Hospital, the Immaculate Conception Hospital, the San Pablo Colleges Medical Center, the Sts. Francis and Paul General Hospital, and the United Candelaria Doctors Hospital. He is also an outstanding student at the SPC College of Law and is president and chairman of the board of his other business activities - the San Pablo Specialists and Family Care Clinic at SM San Pablo, the Veronica Ismael Paolo Foods Corp. (named after his 3 children with his wife Marylene) , and the Equal Access Royale Co. in Silang, Cavite.

            Nominated by Mrs. Dorie Cabela, chapter administrator of the San Pablo City Phil. National Red Cross, Dr. Loyola is deserving of recognition for his community health services that he is even very much willing to donate his own blood to save lives.

2. AGRICULTURE - MRS. LINA GUIA VILLEGAS

            Mrs. Lina Villegas is a native of San Pablo City who was married to the late Elpidio L. Villegas, a retired Chief of the Regional Crop Protection Center in Los Baños. They have 4 children who are electrical engineers and nurses.

            She is a graduate of BS Agriculture of UP Los Baños and has finished MS Agriculture in the same university.

            From research assistant in the BPI-Lamao Experiment Station in Bataan, he moved up to becoming Plant Lab Aide, Plant Propagator, Agronomist III, Sr. Plant Pathologist, Sr. Agricultural Development Specialist, to Senior Agriculturist/ Scientist II positions in the Bureau of Plant Industry.

            As an agriculturist of the Bureau of Plant Industry National Crops & Research Development Center, Mrs. Villegas has done pioneering works in vermiculture and vermicomposting. She has conducted studies on the development and dessimination of package of technology for passion fruit production under coconut-based farming in hilly, rolling and flat land; spearheaded the planting of white potato under coco-based conditions; developed a new planting system called the BPI Strip Coconut Planting System; and pioneered the production of coconut F1 hybrid.

            Mrs. Villegas has written published works on organic and inorganic fertilizers, passion fruits, white potato, coconut, root crops, legumes and coffee; and has been recipient of awards of recognition and appreciation for her exemplary contributions in the field of agricultural research. She is a nominee of Mrs. Elizabeth M. Eseo of the City Agriculture Office.

3. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - DR. GABRIEL ORTEGA ROMERO

            Dr. Gabriel Romero is a native of San Pablo City and is the "half" of the first couple to be recognized as Outstanding San Pableño. He is married to Dr. Marissa Romero and is now living in the Science City of Muñoz in Nueva Ecija with their two children.

            Dr. Romero graduated from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños and pursued his graduate studies with distinction in Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and his post graduate at the University of California.

            From a Research Assistant of the San Miguel Hybrid Corn Program in 1983, he has since worked as Research Aide at the International Rice Research Institute in 1986, as Senior Supervising Research Specialist of the Philippine Rice Research Institute in 1989, as Postdoctoral Scientist at Rutgers University in the USA in 2002 and back to the Phil. Rice Research Institute in 2006 as Scientist I and Acting Deputy Director for Research. At present, he is the Regulatory Affairs Lead of Monsanto Philippines.

            Dr. Gabby Romero's contributions in the genetics and molecular biology of plant defense and in the field of genetic resources are exceptional. He was instrumental in the identification and utilization of resistance genes against the dreaded bacterial leaf blight in rice, and in the isolation of eight B-glucanase genes that can defend crops against an array of plant diseases. His team's successful cloning of the coat protein gene which can be engineered in rice to build pathogen-derived resistance - a highly potent weapon against tungro virus - is considered a major breakthrough. He has identified wild species that easily transfer genes to rice that are useful in rice improvement, and has generated lines with excellent traits through wild rices. As curator of PhilRice genebank, he has systematized its operations through bioinformatics and has facilitated the identification of materials using molecular techniques.

            The accomplishments of Dr. Romero helped the country achieve a more stable and sustainable rice production paving the way for a food secure future for the Filipinos. Specifically, his research provided outstanding rice lines used in the development of rice varieties resistant to major rice diseases. His efficient curatorship of the PhilRice genebank guarantees the availability of a wide rice gene pool for future breeding work, and fostered the spread and preservation of rice diversity in the field. The more sturdy and diverse varieties have given farmers a strong, low-cost protection against epidemics, and therefore, a higher income. His biotechnology research has yielded a battery of ammunition against rice diseases and has greatly enhanced the capability of our country in gene discovery toward rapid rice breeding to keep pace with the rising Filipino population. With a stable rice production, owing in large measure to the use of resistant varieties, the price of rice has remained low and affordable, consequently redounding to the benefit of the general public. Further, it has saved the government much dollar reserves through import reduction.

            In education, his accomplishments have stimulated much interest among his young students in molecular biology and in genetic resources conservation. With much of the world turning into biotechnology as the technology of the future, Dr. Romero has brought it up close to his local students as a practical field in which Filipinos can truly excel and make a successful career. He is also an inspiring example for young conservationists who are battling to reverse the unabated destruction of our natural resources.

            Dr. Romero is one of the Outstanding Young Men and Women of the Philippines in 2002; an awardee of the National Academy of Science & Technology as Outstanding Young Scientist in 2002; a winner of the NAST - Third World Academy of Sciences, Italy (TWAS) Science Prize in Biology in 2002. He has also published several books, manuscripts and researches related to his field of expertise.

            Nominated by Councilor Angelo Adriano, Dr. Gabriel Romero is truly a San Pableño that we can be proud of.

4. AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING - DR. JOEL L. CUELLO

            Dr. Joel Cuello is a native of San Nicolas, San Pablo City and is currently residing in Tuczon, Arizona in the USA. He was a consisten honor student at San Nicolas Elementary School, a Valedictorian in high school at the Laguna College, and graduated cum laude from the University of the Philippines in Los Baños. He pursued his graduate studies at the Pennsylvania State University in the USA for his MS Agricultural Engineering, MS Plant Physiology, his PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Minor in Chemical Engineering.

            As a graduate student, Dr. Cuello was inducted to the American National Honor Society of Engineering (Tau Beta Pi), the American Honor Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (Alpha Epsilon), and the American Honor Society of Agriculture (Gamma Sigma Delta). He was also awarded the 1992 Best Paper Award by the Transactions of ASABE, the referreed scientific/ engineering Journal of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE).

            He had his postdoctoral study at the NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center for his National Research Council Research Associateship. (The NRC is the operating arm of the US National Academies which comprise the US National Academy of Sciences, the US National Academy of Engineering, and the US National Institute of Medicine.)

            Upon completion of his postdoctoral research study, Dr. Cuello was hired as a tenure-tract Assistant Professor by the University of Arizona in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering beginning in January 1995; and was promoted to Associate Professor  with tenure in 2001, and then to Full Professor in 2009.

            Dr. Cuello has also been invited to many conferences and trainings worldwide as Resource Speaker.

            Aside from being a Professor of Biosystems Engineering at the University of Arizona, he has also many inventions developed in collaboration with colleagues. Among them are:

1. the Accordion Photobioreactor for Algae/ Cell Cultures

2. the Eco-Harvester for Algae/ Cell Cultures

3. the Eco-Raceway I for Algae Cultures

4. the Spectral-Based Selective Photosystems Activation/ Deactivation Method for Algae Hydrogen Production

5. the Hydrodynamics-Based Scale Up Process for Bioreactors

6. Lasers as Light Source for Algae/ Cell Cultures

7. the Phytometric System and Phytometric Meter for Light Measurement for Plant Applications

8. the Composite Lighting Profiles Design for Improved Algae/ Plant Culture

9. Electrical Elicitation for Biochemical Overproduction from Root/ Cell/ Plant Cultures

10. the Hybrid Solar and Electric Lighting System for Space and Earth Applications; and many other original and cutting edge science and engineering technologies.

            In addition, Dr. Cuello has been training and educating successful Masters and PhD students; and has been given honors and recognitions by organizations and universities in the Philippines and in the United States; and has published over 40 refereed journals and manuscripts. He is nominated as Outstanding San Pableño by Mrs. Delia Suñega of the DECS San Pablo City Retirees Association.

5. GOVERNMENT SERVICE - DR. MARISSA VILLAFUERTE ROMERO

            Dr. Marissa Romero is the "other half" of the first couple to be recognized as Outstanding San Pableño. She is married to Dr. Gabriel Romero and together are raising their two children.

            Born in San Pablo City, she is now residing in the Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija since her work is with PhilRice based in the Nueva Ecija.

            She finished her BS Food Technology course at the University of the Philippine Los Baños and her MS Food Science at the University of California, and was granted the Fullbright Award for her post graduate Doctoral in Food Science at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in 2006.

            Her work in the government service on rice research has required her to attend special trainings in different countries. She is also recipient of various recognitions for her studies and researches.

            Councilor Arnel C. Ticzon nominated her for government service for her special accomplishments - her pioneering of the use of lipoxygenase as blanching indicator in the food industry wherein the appearance, texture, and flavor of blanched frozen fruits and vegetables are highly acceptable and the retention of nutrients is improved. Her rice nougat and vegetable-based condiment slice are also a novelty. She developed the use of enzymes in modifying gluten as substrate for Maillard reaction to come up with safer products in the flavor industry. She also spearheaded the application of e-commerce for a more effective accessibility and marketing of PhilRice products and services through text and the Internet. Finally, she initiated research that relates to the nutraceuticals in brown rice, sprouted brown rice, and pigmented rice. Although this pertains to the less conventional health and nutritional aspects of rice, the benefits and impact to humans are more prominent.

6. JUDICIARY - HON. JUDGE AMY MELBA SANCHEZ BELULIA

            Judge Amy Melba S. Belulia is a native of San Pablo, descendant of a former cabeza de barangay, Don Leodegario Calabia of Calihan, San Pablo City. She is one of five equally accomplished daughters of Atty. Gregorio Calabia Belulia and teacher Juana Sanchez Belulia.

            Judge Amy had always wanted to follow the footsteps of her father, but being an obedient daughter, she enrolled at the Philippine Normal College as per her mother's wish. After a few years as classroom teacher, she became a government scholar and took up a post - graduate studies in special education. While teaching at the Paaralang Pag-ibig at Pag-asa, she enrolled at the College of Law of the San Pablo Colleges.

            Since then, Judge Amy served 5 courts - Municipal Trial Court of Calauan, Bay, Calamba, Los Baños, and San Pablo City. She also taught at the SPC College of Law from 1991 to 2009. Presently, Judge Amy is the Regional Trial Court Judge of Branch 30 in San Pablo City.

            Her achievements in the judiciary are cited in the many awards she received. Among them: Outstanding Alumna Award for Judicial Service given in December 2003 by the Laguna College Alumni Assoc. for earning the distinction of being the 1st woman judge to come from San Pablo City, and who has served the judiciary with honesty, efficiency and integrity; the plaque of recognition given by the Municipal Trial Courts in Cities Association of Court Employees in April 2010 for her impartiality in the performance of her duties; the certificate of recognition given by the Phil. Trial Judges League in November 2009 for frontlining judicial independence and moral uprightness in the 1st level courts; the plaque of recognition for her distinguished service to the judiciary and her tenacious adherence to the rule of law and dedication to the cause of the administration of justice given by the SPC Law Student Council; and her promotion to the Regional Trial Court in 2010.

            Ms. Yolanda B. Deangkinay, her nominator has quoted friends an acquaintances describing Judge Amy Belulia as coming from a family of very simple lifestyle with down to earth humility, very approachable with humane and caring heart and always wearing a smile on her face, generous and sensitive to the needs of others, a dynamic and energetic leader, competent and honest with integrity beyond question… intelligent, hardworking, a good dancer, and "ang husay-husay nyang magkasal."

7. LAW - FISCAL FLORANTE DORADO GONZALES

            Fiscal Gonzales is a native of Bulacan but has practiced his legal profession in San Pablo City since his graduation from the San Pablo Colleges College of Law and his passing the BAR Examinations in 1978. He settled for good in San Pablo City after his marriage to his wife Jocelyn C. Gonzales and together raised their only child Katrina.

            In 1983, Fiscal Ante was appointed Assistant Provincial Prosecutor of Laguna base in San Pablo City and Calamba City. His assignment included attending to 3 RTC courts and 4 MTC courts. Despite his hectic schedule of travelling to his daily court duties, he is never late in any of the court sessions. He comes to work early to accommodate people with legal problems. He has had no overdue/ unresolved case for preliminary investigation. He tries to mediate and to settle cases allowed by law at his own initiative to be settled first before going to trial. Anytime of day or night, in the name of public service, Fiscal Ante is available to serve his public.

            Among his many outstanding achievements in the community are - his training of tricycle drivers and operators of public utility vehicles; as trainor in the Katarungang Pambarangay; as lawyer to soldiers and local government officers handling cases filed against them in the performance of their official functions; an accredited prosecutor for child abuse and protection; a legal consultant to mediamen; and as legal adviser to many civic organizations.

            Although a frat man (Alpha Omega International Service Fraternity), Fiscal Ante is an advocate of "hazing free" fraternities. As a scholar of the National Defense College of the Philippines, he is a graduate in Masters in National Security Administration (MNSA) and is a reserved Lt. Colonel in the Phil. Army. He is also a volunteer environmentalist and advocate of the save the lakes movement, of tree planting, and a regular blood donor.

            He has contributed greatly to the probation office and its clientele of probationers, parolees and pardonees. He has maintained a simple low key life style and he fears no one in his handling of cases for he believes that rich or poor, meek or powerful, he served and treated them all justly and fairly.

            According to his nominator, Ms. Yolanda Deangkinay - for Fiscal Florante Gonzales, his advocacy of empowering the barangays through massive training and capability building, the fight is on for becoming effective catalysts to the progress of the community.

8. WOMEN SECTOR/ SOCIAL SERVICES - MS. CRESENCIANA BICOMONG DE LUNA

            Ms. De Luna or Tita Ising is a pillar of the San Pablo public schools and the Girl Scouts movement in San Pablo City. She is very much qualified to be an outstanding educator with her marriage to her teaching profession, but it is much more to her credit to be recognized as an outstanding woman in the field of social services.

            Tita Ising has been teaching since her graduation from the Philippine Normal University in 1951; has moved up to become teacher in charge in 1967 to head teacher in 1969 and as Principal I in 1970 and as Principal II in 1975 and retired as a Schools District Supervisor in 1994.

            Although an educator by profession, she was and is still dedicating her life to community social services. Tita Ising is instrumental in the donation to the City Government of the Prudencia D. Fule residential lot in 1960 for official use as annex of the then Prudencia D. Fule Elementary School, later renamed as San Nicolas Elem. School and now known as the Prudencia Fule Memorial Elem. School. She initiated the founding of the Prudencia D. Fule Memorial National High School in the same site in the year 2004 by authority of the incumbent City Mayor Vicente B. Amante in collaboration with then Schools Division Superintendent Ester C. Lozada. Tita Ising also provided assistance to Dr. Luz Fule Cuello who funded the construction of the Inay Petay Day Care Learning Center for pre-schoolers on the site she donated to the City Government with Barangay San Nicolas as end-user/ beneficiary. A Commissioner on Training of the Girl Scouts, Tita Ising secured a 7,000 sq.m. campsite for the girl scouts in San Rafael through a donation of Dr. Luz Fule Cuello, a native of her home barangay. She also initiated and worked on the electrification and water installation of Sitio Bagong Bayan of Brgy. San Nicolas in 1960. She is also one of the initiators of the construction of the Catholic chapel in Brgy. San Nicolas; and is one of the founding members of the Cultural Society of San Pablo, the organization operating the Museo ng San Pablo.

            Tita Ising has consistently worked for the improvement of education in the public elementary schools wherever she was assigned and has received awards and recognition for her untiring and dedicated commitment in the development of the youth and the community. She recently received the Lifetime Achievement Service Award for her more than 55 years of service to the Girl Scouts of the Philippines - in 1965 when Taal Volcano erupted, she was recognized by the World Assoc. of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts for her participation in the Taal Service Project of Troop No. 5 and was awarded the Walter Donald Ross Trophy, the highest award for service by the WAGGGs.

            Ms. De Luna has long retired from the government service, but she is still always ready to help in worthwhile projects for the community, thus earning the respect of her peers as well as the public.  She is a very doing aunt to her nephews and nieces, and is a caring sister to her brothers and sisters and other relatives. She is one great example of a professional, in and out of service; and a very active community worker even after her retirement. She is nominated by the GSP Council Executive Mrs. Eileen Reyes.

9. CIVIC - DR. ADORACION BORDADOR ALAVA

            Dr. Alava is a native of Meycauyan, Bulacan but has been a resident of San Pablo City for the past 45 years since her marriage to Dr. Petronio P. Alava and has raised 5 equally accomplished children who are all professionals.

            Doctora Alava is not only a medical practitioner but is also a public servant. Her untarnished reputation coupled with her untiring display of dedication to total service enabled her to assume top positions in various health-related groups and associations, civic organizations, and a position in the provincial government as well - as Board Member of the 3rd district of Laguna in 2007-2009.

            Aside from her accomplishments in health services to the community, she is a very active organizer and project head of several civic programs of the Rotary Club of San Pablo City Central - the Purga, Feeding, Distributin of slippers, and dental hygiene to public school pupils of Villa Rey Elem. School, medical-dental missions, donation of medicines to the District Hospital and the Puericulture center, and the Indigency program through Mr. Loreto Amante; milk feeding, vitamins distribution, donations to Typhoon Ondoy victims, hypertension clinics, medical consultancy for prisoners, and many other livelihood programs and training for local barangays such as vegetable and fruit farming, hair cutting.

            Dr. Alava has been recipient of many recognitions for her civic works and also highly recommended for her exemplary performance and accomplishments by the San Pablo Medical Society through its president Dr. Marisonia Belen-Tan.  She has spent the best years of her life in San Pablo City and has been a generous benefactor to the less privileged members of the community.

10. HUMANITARIAN - MR. UY KEE KONG

            Mr. Uy Kee Kong is more popularly known as "Kian Seng"; the proprietor of Kian Seng Trading. He is very well-known for his civic-minded and humanitarian works; and is always willing to extend a helping hand to groups and organizations with worthwhile community projects. And he is always assisted in his humanitarian endeavors by his very supportive wife, Mrs. Pacita Uy.

           

            Mr. Uy Kee Kong is past president of various civic organizations - the Phil. Kang Ha Uy Family Association (South Luzon Chapter), the San Pablo City Fire Prevention and Civic Welfare Association, the San Pablo City (Host) Lions Club and the San Pablo City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He is also a former chairman of the San Pablo Chung Hua School.

            He is nominated by Mr. Romy Go of the San Pablo City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

11. YOUTH - MR. BANJO T. BORJA

            Mr. Banjo Borja is a young man who is commendable to be given recognition as Outstanding San Pableño. At a very young age, he has already shown achievements as a swimmer and has participated in national and international swimming competitions.         

            Banjo has been a consistent gold medalist of the Batang Pinoy from 1999-2002 for the Laguna Team and his 50 meter breaststroke record still remains. He was awarded Most Outstanding Athlete for garnering gold medals in record breaking events during the 2005 Palarong Pambansa (elementary level); the 2006 and 2008  Palarong Pambansa (secondary level); awarded the Outstanding Swimmer for STACAA Meet in 2007 for winning 5 gold medals; the 2009 National Swimming championship (G-league course), the 2010 Sr. Nationals Swimming championship and the 2011 PASA National Youth Trials.

            Among the international competitions he has participated in and won medals for the Philippines are - the 29th, 30th, 31st, 32nd, 33rd, and 34th Southeast Asian Age-group swimming championship in Brunei and Jakarta, Singapore, Thailand, Kuala Lumpur, and the Philippines, respectively;  the 5th ASEAN Cup Inter-club age group swimming championship held in Los Banos; the 2008 Pacific School Games in Australia; the 1st Asian Youth Games in Singapore in 2009; and gold medalist in 4 events at the Hawaii State Short Course Championship in Hawaii in 2010.

            Banjo is nominated by Rotary Club San Pablo City South past president, Mr. Ronnie S. Santiago.

12. SPORTS - MR. MODESTO DAZO AMANTE JR.

            A native of Barangay San Juan, Mr. Modesto Amante Jr. is a model athlete since his elementary and high school days in St. Joseph School. He was St. Joseph's first alumni to the Palarong Pambansa; and was an excellent volleyball player from elementary to his college days.

            He is now married to Joan Amante with a 10 year old daughter Joanna Marie; and is the farm manager of the Amante Piggery Farm.

            Aside from his family business of hog raising, Mr. Amante is passionate with his sports - cycling and is nominated to the Sports Category by Mr. Ronald C. Alimagno.

            He has participated in many cycling events sponsored by the Philippine Cycling League and winning races which include the IMMUVIT Race Against time, the Tour of Paranaque and Clark, the Tour of Subic, the Cardiac Attack-a mountain bike hill climb, the ION Bike Extreme Games in San Mateo, Rizal; and the OCMS Bike Tour in Ormoc City.

13. JOURNALISM - MR. RUBEN ENRIQUEZ TANINGCO

            Mr. Ruben E. Taningco is one of our city's living treasures.  Ma Ruben or Ka Ruben as he is known to his colleagues is the father of three professional sons whom he is very proud of, and the husband of retired teacher, former Nelia Perez Belen.

            Although born in Alaminos, Laguna, Ma Ruben has been a fixture in the streets and government complex of San Pablo City and has opted to reside in the city. He was also the Project Development Officer of the city government during the term of Mayor Cesar P. Dizon ( from 1974 to 2001) and was acclaimed the Most Outstanding Developmental Information Officer of then DPI Sec. Francisco Tatad in 1979.

            Ma Ruben is one of the recipient of the 10 Ginintuang Gawad Award during the 50th anniversary of the Institute of National Language in 1987, the Medalyon ng Karangalan for Journalism and one of the outstanding San Pableños on the 50th anniversary of the city. He is also a recipient of the 2010 Gawad Tambuli Award by the DOST IV-A for his outstanding contributions in the dissemination of technical and scientific information for the development of science and technology in the region.

            A Mapua graduate of geodetic engineering, Ma ruben shifted unintentionally to journalism when during martial law and working in the City Engineering Office, he was forced to defend his office in radio and in print media.

            Ma Ruben is now into papaya farming and is still contributing articles to our local newspapers, and writing his yet to be published manuscript - "All About San Pablo City." A model father, a respected mediaman familiar with the code of ethics of journalists, a religious lay leader, Ma Ruben exemplifies advocacy journalism in San Pablo City and as secretary-general of the Seven Lakes Press Corp., quoted from it's president and nominator, Mr. Nani Cortez -"Ma Ruben Taningco is a true practitioner of high-level journalism."

14. BUSINESS - MR. LEOPOLDO ALVERO ESTRELLADO

            Mr. Pol Estrellado, a native of San Pablo City,  is very well-known as a businessman although he is a certified public accountant. His businesses include hotels and restaurants, building rentals, and with the manufacture and export of banana chips. He has been owner and manager of his El Coco Group of Companies since 1980. Through hard work and the support of his family, he is now a very accomplished personality not only in the local business community but in southern Philippines.

            In 2005, his Tagum Commodities Corporation won 1st place in the Outstanding Gawad Saka . For him, it was a rewarding achievement because it  deals with empowering the farmers. It was an honor to be recognized as one of the corporations to represent the farmers in Tagum City. The award signifies that the corporation was able to offer jobs to sustain the livelihood of the people in Tagum.

            Mr. Estrellado is nominated by fellow BCBP member Mr. Allan dela Cruz.

15.  EDUCATION - DR. MELENCIA BRION BALAALDIA

            Dr. Balaaldia is a native of San Pablo City. She finished her high school at the San Pablo City Girls High School during the WWII and took up BSE and her masteral course at the Far Eastern University. She finished her Doctoral in Education at the Phil. Normal College in 1989.

            Dr. Balaaldia started her teaching career in 1960 at the San Pablo Colleges high school department, became part-time professor at the College of Education; was full-time professor in 1963 at the Canossa College and became Assistant to the Dean in 1987; taught part-time again at the SPC College of Education and later became Principal of Greenville Academy in 1996. She is still teaching at present at the Graduate Studies of SPC and in St. Peter's Seminary. Her teaching career has span 51 years and still going.

            The awardee has attended various special trainings on different topics related to her field of education; has done researches on the development and evaluation of source book in students teaching using the Stufflebeam CIPP model, and the psychology of Philippine songs and poems;  and has compiled ideas, theories of great educators, psychologists, sociologists as references for motivation and lesson presentation, Filipino worktexts.

            She is also the recipient of many recognition and awards as an educator and faculty member.

            Among her special accomplishments are - organization of the SPC DREAMS Outreach Program in Villa Maria (Kuligligan), San Pablo City; and even at a very young age she has already served during WWII (1943-1945) as interpreter of the Japanese Liaison office in San Pablo, as stenographic typist in the PX500 Army Exchange Service and the Office of the Secretary of National Defense (1946-1951).

            Dr. Melencia Brion Balaaldia is the wife of retired City Dentist Dr. Edilberto I. Balaaldia and has raised 8 children who are all professionals. She is turning 85 years old in December and is still very active and dedicated in her profession. Citations by her students attest to her commitment to the education of our youth.

            Dr. Balaaldia was nominated by fellow educator, Mr. Ike Prudente, President of MSC Institute of Technology.

16. ARTS AND CULTURE - MR. VERGEL DE TORRES COSICO (Posthumous Award)

            Mr. Vergel Cosico, a respected coutourier of San Pablo, was the initiator of the San Pablo Cocofestival and Search for Mutya ng San Pablo. Together with the other members of the San Pablo Cocofestival Committee, they organized an innovative tourism event for the City of San Pablo in 1996 to coincide with the 400th year celebration of the Parish of St. Paul the First Hermit. In cooperation with the city government, a streetdancing ala mardi gras, floats parade, and beer plaza was conceptualized to attract tourists to come to San Pablo and watch the activities of the Cocofestival. The coronation of the Mutya ng San Pablo highlights the weeklong festival. The Cocofest streetdancing has long been recognized by the Dept. of Tourism as a regular festival of San Pablo, and has continued to be held every 13th of January for 15 years. In 2010, the Cocofestival started by Mr. Vergel Cosico was given recognition as national best festival - city category… Vergel's arts and cultural legacy to his hometown.