CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “A prominent and much deserving batch of awardees… a harvest of excellence.”
Thus said Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda in the dialect as she led the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA) rites at the Bren Z. Guiao Gym here on Saturday night.
But Pineda stressed that the provincial government would begin to “search not just prominent and rich MOKA awardees but poor and equally deserving ones.”
The governor pushed for the citation of Miguel Guevarra Lingat of Sto. Tomas town. He was responsible for the ringing the church bells at Sto. Tomas Church for the past 50 years.
“Lingat was my choice. We will see more awardees like him next time,” said Pineda.
Former President and now Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the guest of honor and speaker. She also took the Outstanding Honorary Kapampangan Award on behalf of former President Fidel Ramos who was in Qatar at the time of the event.
Ramos, who became president in 1992, worked for the construction of the FVR Megadike in 1995 which saved several towns from lahar and floods.
Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes of Barangay Sto. Niño of this city was given the MOKA science and technology award. She quoted philosopher Confucius on the importance of rising up after falling in life.
“I had several trials and tests. I rose up again and again. That’s why I like that saying of the Chinese philosopher,” said Cervantes when asked about the saying.
A consistent scholar from elementary up to college, Cervantes is the family doctor of the Arroyos, including former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Journalist Ashley Manabat, who nominated Cervantes, said Cervantes had been regarded “as the best and only liver transplant doctor in the country.” She is a director of the St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. was given the MOKA for government service.
The Apalit town native said the award “is special because it came from my own people.” He added that “you know, as they say, it’s hard to get a recognition from your own place.”
Tetangco also thanked Arroyo for appointing him BSP governor in 2005.
Retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban of Candaba, was feted for upholding a Supreme Court and judiciary whose integrity, independence, credibility and prestige attained record heights and global recognition. He got the MOKA for judicial service.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo A. David, a native of the City of San Fernando, is the awardee for law enforcement.
For religion, this year’s MOKA is Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” S. David from Betis, Guagua. Bishop David was honored for “keeping the flock in line” with his words of wisdom, priestly mien and unsullied personal life, as well as his environmental and social advocacies.
Fr. Pompeyo De Mesa, was feted with the distinction for his accomplishments in the field of education and stints with the University of Sto. Tomas and San Juan De Letran. He traces her roots from Guagua.
For mass media, Lubao’s Jesus S. Española was chosen for being the first Filipino to receive the prestigious Creative Arts Emmy Award for his work as assistant director of the cartoon The Simpson’s “Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson’s Mind.”
Multi-awarded World Medical Relief Inc. chief executive director George V. Samson earned the Moka for his volunteer work with the Michigan-based relief organization, which he directs in sending medical equipment, supplies and medicines to the sick, poor and elderly in local communities and developing nations, the province and the country included. He got the award for social services.
Architect Lorenzo “Lor” Calma is this year’s Moka in the field of arts. He is one of the pillars of the Philippine modernist movement, continuing till today his career to win prestigious projects and awards.
For culture, Michael Raymont Tayag-Manoloto Pangilinan from Angeles City, earned the honor for his expertise in Kapampangan philosophy, history and language and culture, having “almost single-handedly promoted Kapampangan studies when it was not fashionable to do so.” His writings and ideas paved the way for cultural boom and served as the template for the creation of the Center for Kapampangan Studies, according to the MOKA organizers.
In the field of agriculture, water treatment engineer and farmer Jesus M. Simon from Floridablanca, is this year’s awardee. He was cited for helping and organizing cooperatives, which resulted in a Gawad Saka Award in 2002 for the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council, which he chaired in the same year.
Couple Jesus Ycu Miranda and Priscilla Medina Miranda are this year’s MOKA in the parenthood category. Married on December 17, 1966, the couple, both educators, reared four children with strong values and sense of family solidarity. Their eldest son is now a practicing lawyer, the second son a priest, the only daughter an educator and the youngest a certified public accountant.
Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao also welcomed the awardees.
Thus said Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda in the dialect as she led the Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA) rites at the Bren Z. Guiao Gym here on Saturday night.
But Pineda stressed that the provincial government would begin to “search not just prominent and rich MOKA awardees but poor and equally deserving ones.”
The governor pushed for the citation of Miguel Guevarra Lingat of Sto. Tomas town. He was responsible for the ringing the church bells at Sto. Tomas Church for the past 50 years.
“Lingat was my choice. We will see more awardees like him next time,” said Pineda.
Former President and now Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the guest of honor and speaker. She also took the Outstanding Honorary Kapampangan Award on behalf of former President Fidel Ramos who was in Qatar at the time of the event.
Ramos, who became president in 1992, worked for the construction of the FVR Megadike in 1995 which saved several towns from lahar and floods.
Dr. Juliet Gopez-Cervantes of Barangay Sto. Niño of this city was given the MOKA science and technology award. She quoted philosopher Confucius on the importance of rising up after falling in life.
“I had several trials and tests. I rose up again and again. That’s why I like that saying of the Chinese philosopher,” said Cervantes when asked about the saying.
A consistent scholar from elementary up to college, Cervantes is the family doctor of the Arroyos, including former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo.
Journalist Ashley Manabat, who nominated Cervantes, said Cervantes had been regarded “as the best and only liver transplant doctor in the country.” She is a director of the St. Lukes Medical Center in Quezon City.
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. was given the MOKA for government service.
The Apalit town native said the award “is special because it came from my own people.” He added that “you know, as they say, it’s hard to get a recognition from your own place.”
Tetangco also thanked Arroyo for appointing him BSP governor in 2005.
Retired Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban of Candaba, was feted for upholding a Supreme Court and judiciary whose integrity, independence, credibility and prestige attained record heights and global recognition. He got the MOKA for judicial service.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo A. David, a native of the City of San Fernando, is the awardee for law enforcement.
For religion, this year’s MOKA is Auxiliary Bishop Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” S. David from Betis, Guagua. Bishop David was honored for “keeping the flock in line” with his words of wisdom, priestly mien and unsullied personal life, as well as his environmental and social advocacies.
Fr. Pompeyo De Mesa, was feted with the distinction for his accomplishments in the field of education and stints with the University of Sto. Tomas and San Juan De Letran. He traces her roots from Guagua.
For mass media, Lubao’s Jesus S. Española was chosen for being the first Filipino to receive the prestigious Creative Arts Emmy Award for his work as assistant director of the cartoon The Simpson’s “Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson’s Mind.”
Multi-awarded World Medical Relief Inc. chief executive director George V. Samson earned the Moka for his volunteer work with the Michigan-based relief organization, which he directs in sending medical equipment, supplies and medicines to the sick, poor and elderly in local communities and developing nations, the province and the country included. He got the award for social services.
Architect Lorenzo “Lor” Calma is this year’s Moka in the field of arts. He is one of the pillars of the Philippine modernist movement, continuing till today his career to win prestigious projects and awards.
For culture, Michael Raymont Tayag-Manoloto Pangilinan from Angeles City, earned the honor for his expertise in Kapampangan philosophy, history and language and culture, having “almost single-handedly promoted Kapampangan studies when it was not fashionable to do so.” His writings and ideas paved the way for cultural boom and served as the template for the creation of the Center for Kapampangan Studies, according to the MOKA organizers.
In the field of agriculture, water treatment engineer and farmer Jesus M. Simon from Floridablanca, is this year’s awardee. He was cited for helping and organizing cooperatives, which resulted in a Gawad Saka Award in 2002 for the Provincial Agricultural and Fishery Council, which he chaired in the same year.
Couple Jesus Ycu Miranda and Priscilla Medina Miranda are this year’s MOKA in the parenthood category. Married on December 17, 1966, the couple, both educators, reared four children with strong values and sense of family solidarity. Their eldest son is now a practicing lawyer, the second son a priest, the only daughter an educator and the youngest a certified public accountant.
Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao also welcomed the awardees.
