City bares outstanding Fernandinos

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - The City Government of San Fernando presented Wednesday evening this year’s batch of outstanding Fernandinos.

The Outstanding Fernandino Awards (Tofa) 2013 executive committee headed by Dr. Lourdes Javier said during a pre-awards thanksgiving dinner at Heroes Hall that the exemplary Fernandinos were carefully screened and selected based on the highest standards.

The committee added that the pre-awards presentation and dinner were meant to give the awardees a chance to mingle and get to know each other before the formal rites slated on February 4.

The Tofa is the highlight of the celebration of San Fernando’s 12th Cityhood Charter anniversary.

This year’s outstanding Fernandinos are Pampanga 1 Electric Cooperative general manager and National Electrification Administration Lumens Hall of Famer Engr. Loliano “Transformer” Allas for Community Service, cited for introducing in the cooperative various corporate social responsibility programs in education and social development; Teleworks Philippines software developer Alwyn “Public Cyber Servant” Balingit for Social Media, noted for his www.facebook.com/CityofSanFernando, which was instrumental in saving thousands of lives during the Habagat calamity; CLTV 36 producer Prof. Melanie “The Great Communicator” Briones for Media and Media Education, having been a mentor of many media practitioners locally and nationally; and Barangay Health Worker Aurora “The Modern Day Nicolasa Dayrit” Catacutan for Social Service, hailed for her dedication and selflessness in helping the sick and pushing for women’s advocacies.

Karate Kid Bryan “The Champ” Fontillas is the outstanding Fernandino for sports, having brought honor and recognition to the city with his local and international championship belts and for being the only Fernandino and youngest member of the national Karate Team; for education, 1970 TOYM awardee Prof. Jose “The World-Class Educator,” Lapuz who has been cited for inspiring his students, colleagues and associates to commit to excellence and use education in poverty alleviation; and for Youth Service, Abraham “The Model Youth Advocate” Gorospe, who has been recognized for serving the youth and sharing to them God and the Gospels through music and community service.

Other awardees include 1975 Panday Pira recipient Elias “The Treasure” Miranda for Science and Technology, noted for his inventions like the woodworking machines that gave Pampanga’s woodcraft industry prominence; Rev. Fr. Honesto “The Spiritual Idol” Ongtioco, DD, for Religious Service; and French geographer Dr. Jean Christophe Gaillard as Honorary Fernandino.

In toasting the awardees, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez said the exemplary accomplishments of the Fernandinos is a manifestation of strong community participation and a united move to share one’s being multifaceted for the rights and welfare of others.

“You are all models with a united direction towards a better tomorrow. May you be emulated by others for your selflessness and legacy of a brighter future for generations to come,” said Rodriguez. (Jovi T. De Leon)