12 most outstanding Kapampangans recognized for exceptional feats

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By Joel P. Mapiles(Pampanga PIO)

CLARK FREEPORT -- Twelve Kapampangans who excelled in their respective fields and gave honor to the province and its people were given recognition and conferred 2015 Most Outstanding Kapampangan Awards (MOKA) during ceremonies held at Holiday Inn here on Friday.

The MOKA is the main highlight of the weeklong 444th Founding Anniversary of Pampanga known as “Aldo Ning Kapampangan”, celebrated by Kapampangans led by the provincial government.

Governor Lilia Pineda said the numerous gains that the province had attained through the years were the result of the Kapampangans’ strong resolve to make excellence the core of their daily pursuits.

The governor said the 12 awardees for this year are very much qualified considering their tremendous accomplishments in their respective professions that gave honor to the province and its people.

“Their accomplishments will serve as inspiration to every Kapampangan to work and achieve more so they are worth to be recognized and emulated,” she said.

Leading the 2015 MOKA awardees are Judge Maria Angelica Paras-Quiambao in the field of Judicial Service and Ambassador Laura Quiambao-Del Rosario who excelled in the field of Government Service.

Judge Quiambao was an awardee of the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos Judicial Excellence Awards in 2013 while Ambassador Del Rosario, was an awardee for government service was a 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.

Other awardees are Cesar Victor P. Reyes in the field of Arts; Michael L. Escaler, Business and Entrepreneurship; Eduardo T. Mutuc, Culture; Matrose P. Galarion, Ph.D., Education; PO3 Comet Dimla-Dumangeng, Law Enforcement; Ruperto S. Nicdao Jr., Mass Media; Juliette Gomez-Romualdez, Parenthood; Virgilio Malang, Science and Technology; Sr. Eloisa L. David, Social Service and Jayson C. William, Sports.

Awardee Cesar Victor “Cid” Pangilinan Reyes is 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.

Dr. Virgilio “Billy” Malang, the “Prodigious Innoventor” was also recognized for his award winning-inventions that contributed well for the development of science and technology in the Philippines. Among his inventions are Psidium Guajava effervescing Gynecological Insert (gold), Patient Side-Turning Hospital Bed-silver, external vaginal cleanser (bronze) light refracting ear-pick (bronze) and broom’s way of hanging.

Sister David, 72 year old awardee for Social Service is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the KAKAK Foundation-Mother Bles Birthing Clinic who gave her life in helping disadvantaged communities and families.

Galarion, awardee for Education is the Regional Education Program Supervisor of Planning, Policy and Research Division of the Department of Education Region III.

In the Field of Sports, Castro earned the title PBA’s Most Improved Player in 2010-2011, PBA Best Player of the Conference for three seasons and PBA All Star for 2013-2015.

For culture, Eduardo 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.

MOK awardee Escaler made a big name in business and entrepreneurship throughout the country. He has been at the helm of multinational companies holding key positions, a living testament to his unquestionable prowess in the field.

Juliette Gomez-Romualdez, awardee for Parenthood is a recipient of the National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation Inc.’s Ulirang Ina Awards for Socio-Civic and Religion.

Nicdao, awardee in the field of Mass Media is the president and member of the Board of Directors of Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC).

In the field of Law Enforcement, Dimla-Dumangeng was also conferred as the lone lady to win in the 2014 Country’s Outstanding Policemen in Service, a joint venture of the Metro Bank Foundation and PNP in Outstanding uniformed and non-uniformed men and women of the PNP. She was the first Kapampangan lady PNCO to win the prestigious national search.