The local government unit of Minalin, Pampanga led by Mayor Edgar Flores, feted 12 individuals and one organization as this year’s outstanding Minalenos in ceremonies held in time for the celebration of the Aldo Ning Minalin on August 25 (Thursday).
Graced by the presence of Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino as guest of honor, the awarding was held at the Sta. Monica Parish here.
Flores, in a text message, said: “The Outstanding Minalenos Awards is a manifestation of our deep gratitude to the men and women of Minalin, Pampanga for their untiring commitment to contribute to make our community a better place to live. We would like to place in our recorded history their outstanding achievements for the future generations to appreciate and emulate.”
This year’s awardees are: Dr. Ramon Mendoza Pineda (Medicine); Danilo Pingul Manalili (Cooperative Skills and Training Development); Atty. Orlando Pangilinan (Law); Nadinee Tongol-Arceo (Entrepreneurship); Minalin Seaman’s Club (Community Service); Spouses Marcelino and Rizalinda Quito (Parenthood); San Simon Mayor Leonora Capule-Wong (Public Service); Fr. Rodel G. Balagtas (Priesthood); Allan Mendoza delos Reyes (Youth Development); Teresita Pernia-Reyes (Social Service); Rowena Tizon-Quiambao (Education); and, Erwin Singian Dizon (Honorary Minaleno).
MEDICINE
Hailing from Barangay Sta. Rita, Dr. Ramon Mendoza Pineda was a graduate of Sta. Rita Elementary School. He took up Medical Technology at the Far Eastern University and then went on to obtain his diploma as doctor of medicine in 1988 in the same school.
Pineda did his post-graduate studies, internship and residency in Internal Medicine at FEU-NRMF Hospital where he served as chief resident in 1994. In 1995, he passed the Philippines Specialty Board in Internal Medicine and subsequently did his fellowship in Adult Cardiology and Clinical Research Fellowship in Invasive Cardiology at the Philippine Heart Center from 1995 to 1998.
Though he passed the PSB examination in Adult Cardiology in 1999, Pineda did not stop learning; going abroad every now and then to hone his knowledge and skills and to keep up with the latest trends in medicine.
Whenever his schedule permits, Pineda goes back to his hometown at least once a week to attend to his cabalens needing medical attention.
Mayor Flores said Pineda is one of the prides of Barangay Sta. Rita for “he is a humble man who gives generously to his cabalens particularly in the barrio where he grew up.”
COOPERATIVE SKILLS AND TRAINING DEVELOPMENT
Awardee Danilo Pingul Manalili is currently the partner of the municipal employment services office in several skills training and seminars such as for bartending, welding, practical electricity, automotive, cosmetology and computer literacy, among others.
LAW
Atty. Orlando Pangilinan has the distinction of being the first – and up to the present – the only lawyer of Barangay Sto, Domingo.
The son of the late Barangay Captain Gelacio “Tatang Asiung” T. Pangilinan and Rufina “Dang Pinang” Pangilinan, the lawyer-awardee graduated with honors at the Sto. Domingo Elementary School in 1967 and earned a degree in Law at the University of Sto. Tomas. He passed the bar in 1978.
Pangilinan is a recipient of many awards in the past, including those given by the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Pampanga Chapter and Angeles City Lawyers’ League.
He is currently an active senior partner of the Buan, David, Lumboy, Pangilinan and Associates Law Office.
ENTREPRENUERSHIP
Businesswoman Nadinee Tongol Arceo, wife of former Sto. Tomas Mayor Lucas Arceo, started her journey to the path of success with a small casket-making business named SMLC with an initial capital of only P14,000 on May 12, 1982.
With that business, she learned the ropes of the industry as she had to do all the work including the delivery, finishing and sewing.
Slowly but surely SMLC became one of the many successful makers of wood and metal caskets until it gave birth to the St. Louie Memorial Chapels whose first branch was opened in Barangay San Nicolas, Minalin.
Today, St. Louie Memorial Chapels has five other branches all over Pampanga and expanded further to open St. Mark Memorial Chapels located in San Juan City and Sampaloc, Manila.
Her business ventures further widened its horizon with the establishment of The Eastwalk, a commercial complex in the town of Sto. Tomas.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Among this year’s awardees is an organization of seafarers who traces roots in this town.
Founded in the 1980s by Captain Roberto D. Galang, Captain Rolando G. Flores, and Chief Engineer Raul Manlapaz, the Minalin Seaman’s Club was organized to help Minalenos land a job in the maritime industry.
To date, the club’s membership have grown to 200-strong members.
Flores said the club continues giving assistance to Minalenos through scholarship grants to schools such as the Apo Computer School in Floridablanca and PIMSAT Colleges in Dagupan City.
The club has already produced more than 50 graduates since they started the scholarship program in 2012, according to Flores.
“They are also our consistent partners in our sportfests, Aguman Sanduc and the Apung Monica de Minalin Fluvial Parade,” the mayor said.
PARENTHOOD
Spouses Marcelino and Rizalinda Quito are both products of the Minalin Elementary School, and the Minalin Academy – where they both graduated with high honors -and the University of the East.
Marcelino is a Certified Public Accountant with a Master’s degree in Taxation from the Manuel L. Quezon University.
The couple’s union is blessed with six children: Marlon, the eldest, is a Business Administration graduate, Marvin is a Medical Technology graduate, Marlin is a graduate of Sports Science, Marcelino Jr. is a graduate of Applied Physics and was a former municipal councilor here, and Martin and Marion both earned degrees in Financial Management.
“Discipline and hard work have been the cardinal rule of the couple in raising their children and it paid off for them in the end,” Flores said.
The couple’s generosity and kindness extend beyond the walls of their home. To their relatives, neighbors and friends, they are known givers, both of material things and efforts which had endeared them to the community.
EDUCATION
Hailing from Barangay Sta. Maria, Rowena Tizon Quiambao finished two masteral degrees – Master of Arts in Education major in Chemistry at the Bulacan State University and Master of Arts in Education major in Educational Management at the University of the Assumption. Her thesis, “Metamorphosis of a Coastal School Community: An Auto-ethnography” was awarded as Outstanding Master’s Thesis by the University of the Assumption. She is currently taking up her PhD in Educational Management at Philippine Normal University while dispensing her functions and responsibilities as Principal III of San Matias High School and Officer-in-Charge of Office of the Schools Division Superintendent at the Department of Education – Division of Pampanga. –Albert Lacanlale