220-year-old seminary leads 2017 Mayoral Awardees

By Jose B. Perez, Editor-in-Chief NAGA CITY --- The 220-year-old Holy Rosary Minor Seminary, known in the olden times as “Seminario Conciliar de Nueva Caceres,” leads this year’s recipients of the prestigious 2017 Mayoral Awards that give honor to the city’s outstanding groups or individuals whose exemplary achievements in their respective fields of endeavor invaluably contribute to the enhancement of Naga’s growth, glory and honor. Naga City Mayor John G. Bongat will confer the awards during fitting ceremonies on Saturday, June 17, on the eve of the city 69th anniversary as a chartered city on June 18 at the Avenue Convention Plaza, this city. Caceres Archbishop Rolando Tria-Tirona, whose archdiocese has jurisdiction over the Holy Rosary Seminary will give the response in behalf of the seminary and the 33 other recipients (19 of which are for excellence in sports) who will also be honored in their respective award categories. The seminary, a national historical landmark, will be conferred the Juan Q. Miranda Award, otherwise known as the Mayoral Distinguished Award, is the highest city award ever given in a year. It is named after the Father of the Naga City Charter. As Bicol congressman, Miranda authored House Bill No. 1255 which was enacted as Republic Act 305 on June 18, 1948, making Naga one of the few chartered cities in the country and the first in Bicol at the time. Miranda was leader of the guerilla unit that liberated Naga from the Japanese days earlier before the American soldiers came. As a major part of Naga’s colonial and contemporary history, the seminary has produced thousands of priests, including heroes and martyrs who have dedicated their lives and wisdom for the development of our people, not only in Bicol and other parts of the country but also in new mission areas outside the Philippines. Among its prominent alumni were Msgr, Jorge Barlin who became the First Filipino Bishop and Jose Maria Panganiban, Bicol’s National hero who is better known as “Avenger of Filipino Honor.” To receive the Leon SA. Aureus Award, the second highest mayoral award, named in honor of the first mayor of Naga as a charter city, are: Avenue Plaza Hotel. As a multi-awarded homegrown world-class hotel, The Avenue Plaza Hotel epitomizes not only Naga City’s renowned reputation for hospitality and exquisite cuisine, but also its strong character as host to various local, national, and international conferences and business meetings and for being conferred the Travelers Choice for Best Service 2017 by Tripadvisor and Certificate of Excellence for 7 years now because of its world-class standard of service. Fr.. Danilo T. Imperial. For unselfishly dedicating his life, knowledge and avowed commitment to God and fellowmen in the fields of religious service, education, youth development, and the promotion and enrichment of Bicol history, culture, and the arts. As the pioneer of Campus Ministry in Bicol, he has championed youth service for over 45 years now and represented the country, as well as the City of Naga, in various conferences and exposure programs of the International Movement for Catholic Students held in Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Hongkong. Maria Lydia Perez-Lomibao. As a successful pili nut food processor and exporter of this indigenous Bicol crop, she has been conferred various awards, including the 2008 National Gawad Saka Award, 2008 One of 50 Men and Women of Science as Technology Adoptor, 2009 Presidential Award for Outstanding Small Enterprise, 2016 Halyao Awards, and the 2017 Inspiring Filipina Entrepreneur Award, most of which were conferred during ceremonies in Malacanang, and her being recognized no less in a commendatory resolution issued and passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Naga as an outstanding home-grown entrepreneur. Olivera Brothers. Fondly referred to as “Los Calientes” or the Hot Ones, because of their lively repertoire of Spanish songs, funny Bicol adlibs and repartees in between numbers, these singing brothers have traveled abroad for their talent but would always come back home to be with their family and friends who adore their kind of Latino music with that distinctive mix of native Bicolano accent, accompanied by ‘bajo’ and classical guitar. After all, Bicol, and particularly Naga, have a rich Spanish cultural and historical heritage, such that their music always brings memories of a glorious past made merrier by fiestas, abundant food and drinks during family gatherings and joyful events to celebrate birth, marriage, and personal triumphs. To receive the Lt. Delfin C. Rosales Award, named after a youthful Nagueno World War II, for extraordinary act of heroism, valor, and or civic duty: P02 Fatima Ibias-Lanuza. For her exemplary accomplishments as police officer and for working even harder beyond her call of duty, this multi-talented lady cop was recipient of three prestigious awards in a row, first as Outstanding Law Enforcer by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte in August 27, 2016, then as Outstanding Filipino by Vice President Leni Robredo on September 2, 2016, and again by President Duterte on September 12, of the same year as one of the Country’s Outstanding Police Officers in Service (C.O.P.S.) given by Metrobank. She has saved a number of child rape victims and abused mothers as she faithfully discharges her duties. The following will be given Mayoral Recognitions for bringing singular honor, recognition, and positive impact to Naga City through the award given them in the national or international level: Aldrin Alfonso Alcantara. Graduating at the top of his class as Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Social Studies at the University of Neuva Caceres, this exceptionally brilliant student placed 10th in the Licensure Examination for Teachers given by the Professional Regulation Commission last September 25, 2016. Archdiocese Chorale of Caceres, Inc. Striving to become one of the finest Ambassadors of Goodwill, especially in the field of music, this mixed vocal group that provides regular Mass service at the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral every Sunday and on special Ecclesiastic occasions has brought honor, pride and glory to the City of Naga and the nation by winning the Bronze Medal in Pop/Gospel and Classical Mixed Categories during the 2016 Busan Chorale Festival and Competition held in Busan, South Korea. It also became a finalist and participated in various competitions and concerts in different parts of the country and Manila, as well as in Xiamen, China. Marimil Sahagun Bombase, M.D. As past president of the prestigious Camarines Sur Medical Society, Dr. Marimil S. Bombase holds a string of accomplishments both in the practice of her profession and her active involvement in various community and religious projects and activities. She was selected as the Most Outstanding Bicolano Physician in Private Practice for the Year 2015-2016 by the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) – Bicol Regional Council, as well as the Most Outstanding Physician Award by the PMA during its 109th Annual Convention held during the same year. With her guidance and assistance, Naga City achieved the lowest malnutrition rate among pre-school children in Bicol. She also helped provide malnourished pregnant mothers free pre-natal check-ups and medications. Cherie Ann T. Lo. A consistent honor student throughout her school years, Cherie Ann proved herself to be the best in her chosen field by topping the Psychologist Licensure Examination given last August 2016. Right after graduating from the Ateneo de Manila University with honors, the young Naguena became a Jesuit Volunteer .She continued to work with both government and non-government organizations in the field of development and humanitarian services, including working through peace negotiations with OPAPP and undertook Disaster Response and Preparedness Training for the UN World Food Program. She is a member of the British Psychological Society and is at present pursuing another Master’s Degree in Applied Pediatric Neuropsychology at University College in London. Naga Imaging Center Cooperative (NICC) Doctors Hospital. As a center of excellence in the Bicol Region providing holistic quality patient care, this private medical institution was hailed as 2nd Runner-Up for Level 2 hospitals, Runner-Up for Best in Surveillance of Anti-Biotic Resistance, Runner-Up for Best in Environmental Cleaning and Decontamination, and Runner-Up for Isolation Precaution Management given by the Philippine Hospital Association. Its involvement in extension services through the yearly outreach activities of the hospital has as indigent children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities as regular beneficiaries. Rania Maxine Toleda Savilla. This 13-year old Class Valediction from the Blessed Lights International Christian Academy who is an incoming freshman at the Philippine Science High School has won Bronze Medal in the International Mathematics Competition held in Singapore last year – the latest honor she received since winning the Silver Medal during the International Mathematics Wizard Challenge held in Hongkong in 2015, the Bronze Medal in the Hua Cup International Olympic Math, also held in Hongkong in 204, and the Silver Medal in the 10th Asia Cup Stars of the Olympic Match Finals in Hongkong, also in 2014. Her feat is what many talented young Filipino mathematicians hope deeply to achieve. Hazel Bigcas Sibulo. Having earned a Diploma in Midwifery at the City College of Naga, Hazel successfully placed 7th in the national Midwifery Licensure Examination given last April 2016. She is now taking up her 4-year Bachelor of Science in Midwifery at the same City College of Naga. Teatro de Sta. Luisa. Having been selected as one of the Top 20 youth organizations in the Philippines by the Search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the country by the Office of Senator Bam Aquino, this theater group based in the Universidad de Sta. Isabel has been staging plays, musical interpretations through skits, monologues, variety shows and short films, and conducting seminar workshops since its inception in 2000 to enlighten and educate the audience on current issues and advocacies. Jose Oscar Barba Tejada. He brought honor, pride, and glory to the City of Naga for having placed 10th in the national Licensure Examination for Physical Therapists given by the Professional Regulation Commission last August 2016. He currently works as a Physical Therapist at the NICC Doctors Hospital where he has gained the respect and admiration of both his co-workers and the patients because of his particular skill and admirable work ethics. The following are to receive Mayoral Recognitions in Sports: Alliah Nadine S. Agsao, Joyce S. Belbes, Jayvee Peconcillo Bersabal, Justin Peconcillo Bersabal, Rose C. Bok, Anne Margarette M. Bron, Isabela Mae G. Cayetano, Queenie Platon Chavez, Atiya Therese N. Dimaiwat, Gaudencio B. Espiritu, Jr., Dinry Ferch B. Fulgentes, Aaron R. Gaor, Shaira Gabrielle E. Guevara, Karlos Dominik D. Macalla, Joseph Miguel P. Parada, Arica E. Dy Pueco, Yesha Quier Sanchez, Aladino M. de los Santos, Jr., Helena Kaye A. Secillano. Dr. Elna, N. Chia, chair of this year’s Board of Judges said that for this year, none of the nominees qualified for the Jesse M. Robredo Youth Award, one of the four major awards (Miranda, Aureus, Robredo, and Rosales medallions). Named after the charismatic former mayor of Naga City and DILG secretary, the award is given to young individuals (aged 15 to 30 years), youth groups or organizations. This award aims to recognize exemplary qualities of the youth who dedicated their talents and leadership skills in making a difference and becoming socially involved for the greater interest of the community and their members.