Gov. Lilia G. Pineda called the 2015 crop of winners of the annual Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards at the culmination of the celebrations of the 444th founding anniversary of Pampanga – “Aldo ning Kapampangan” – last Dec. 11.
“I am awed and humbled by the talents, the skills, the dedication and accomplishments of our awardees,” Pineda said in the Kapampangan language. “Truly, they are a source of Kapampangan pride and joy.”
In her tribute, Pineda cited all MOKA awardees for their “strong resolve to make excellence the core of their daily pursuits” which, she said, resulted to the numerous gains the province achieved through the years, “especially in the aftermath of the Mount Pinatubo devastations.”
Of this year’s MOKA winners, she said “their accomplishments will serve as inspiration to every Kapampanga to work and achieve more so they are worthy to be recognized and emulated.”
Women power marked this year’s MOKA with Ambassador Laura Quiambao-Del Rosario who excelled in the field of Government Service and Judge Maria Angelica Paras-Quiambao in the field of Judicial Service leading the awardees.
Ambassador Del Rosario, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-Senior Officers Meeting leader, served as diplomatic and consular officer in the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Singapore, and Washington D.C. She was also appointed as the Philippine Ambassador to India and Nepal on a non-resident capacity from 2003 to 2007. She then served as Ambassador to Vietnam in 2007 to 2009.
Judge Quiambao was a recipient of the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Judicial Excellence Awards in 2013.
Sr. Eloisa L. David, the 72-yearold awardee for Social Service, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the KAKAK Foundation-Mother Bles Birthing Clinic who has dedicated gave her life in helping disadvantaged communities and families.
Matrose P. Galarion, Ph.D., MOKA awardee for Education, is the Regional Education Program Supervisor of Planning, Policy and Research Division of the Department of Education Region 3. She is also a winner in the national out standing teachers’ award.
Comet Dimla-Dumangeng, in the field of Law Enforcement, is the lone lady among the winners in the 2014 Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, a joint venture of the Metro Bank Foundation and PNP.
Parenthood becomes Juliette Gomez-Romualdez, widow of Ambassador Kokoy Romualdez, and a recipient of the National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation Inc.’s Ulirang Ina Awards for Socio-Civic and Religion.
She was escorted to the awards night by her son, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Winner in the field of Arts is Cesar Victor P. Reyes, an eminent art critic, painter and scholar. He was named twice as the Philippines’ Art Critic of the Year. He is also a well-known figure in the Philippine advertising industry with many local and international awards to his credit.
For Business and Entrepreneurship, Michael L. Escaler made a big name in the corporate world throughout the country. He has been at the helm of multinational companies holding key positions, a living testament to his acumen in the field.
Dr. Virgilio Malang, for Science and Technology, is the “Prodigious Innoventor” recognized for his award winning-inventions that included Psidium Guajava effervescing gynecological insert (gold medal), patient side-turning hospital bed (silver medal), external vaginal cleanser (bronze medal) light refracting ear-pick (bronze medal) and broom’s way of hanging.
Jayson C. William, for Sports, is the PBA’s Most Improved Player in 20102011; PBA Best Player of the Conference for three seasons and PBA All Star for 2013-2015.
In the field of Culture, Eduardo T. Mutuc is the only Kapampangan recipient of the Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan Awards or National Living Treasure Award of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), one of the most prestigious awards given to traditional artists in the Philippines, similar to the National Artist Award.
Ruperto S. Nicdao, awardee in the field of Mass Media, is president and director of Manila Broadcasting Company and chairman of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.
The 2015 MOKA was held at Holiday Inn Resort-Clark.
– Bong Z. Lacson with Pampanga PIO
