Valderrama: Thank you, Mr. Mesina

Valderrama: Thank you, Mr. Mesina

THIS businessman and philanthropist, born in 1942, continues to celebrate life by giving not just the best of what he has but the best of who he is.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is always deeply grateful for all the support of Mr. Benito Mesina who had been greatly involved in the education industry.

He was a school principal at Bacolod Tay Tung High School in his early professional years. Here in Davao City since 1990, he has served in Davao Central High School Board of Trustees for 20 years up to Chairman of the Board.

This must be one of the many reasons why Mesina’s heart, who considers himself a pure Filipino, has been long attached to learners and their future.

Mesina is very active in socio-civic organizations. One of which is the Davao Filipino Chinese Cultural Foundation where he is the president. Through his leadership and efforts, the foundation has ventured into donating state-of-the-art speech laboratories to help upgrade the academic standards of public schools.

Through his efforts, the foundation donated speech laboratories to Don Juan Dela Cruz Central Elementary School, Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Elementary School, Bangoy National School, and Davao City National High School.

In a conversation, Mesina said he will continue the assistance he had given to our public schools.

But his intention to help and that of the Foundation did not end there. This time, he donated all the necessary equipment to complete the need and desire of DepEd to come up with a multimedia center.

When the Covid-19 posed great challenges in education, DepEd looked for interventions that will respond to the needs to ensure that learning continues from kindergarten to Grade 12. This was not an easy task for DepEd, but it has built a shared responsibility spectacle that brought the learners, parents, local government units, community leaders and members, and concerned citizens together to help and support the learning continuity plans.

This is where the good intentions of Mesina came in perfectly at the right time.

He did not hesitate to help DepEd to construct a broadcasting center in its RELC-NEAP (Regional Educational Learning Center-National Educators Academy of the Philippines) facility at E. Quirino Avenue in the heart of Davao City. And now, it will be dubbed as Davao Regional Broadcasting Center with a turnover ceremony on November 22 at 10 in the morning.

Now, let us know more about this man who has extraordinary adventures in his life by helping others, an epitome of a Good Samaritan.

Mesina was born in 1942 in Gerona, Tarlac. He spent his early years in Dagupan, Pangasinan and continued his college education at National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan.

After college, he returned to the Philippines, devoting 10 years of his life to the education industry. Afterward, he went into business. In 2003, he became president of Metavco Agricultural Development Corporation up to the present.

Mesina has become a multi-awarded personality in socio-civic efforts.

This Davao businessman continuously supports the Co Su Gian Home for the Aged and Balay Dangupan in the city. His unwavering support has made possible the provision of basic resources, equipment, and services related to health, nutrition, education, and values formation for the two centers for more than 20 years.

He was given Token of Recognition by the City Government of Davao in August 2012 for his contribution and support to the programs and services of the government, extending food and materials assistance to thousands of flash flood and typhoon Pablo victims and countless voluntary and benevolent deeds afforded to the poor and needy.

He was also recognized by Neda (National Economic and Development Authority) as one of Region XI Outstanding Volunteers Award in 2017 exemplifying the spirit of volunteerism.

He is the recipient of many awards by the Community Affairs Council in the Republic of China (Taiwan), namely, Glory Professional Medal in 2011 and Formosa Professional Medal in 2019. Lately, he was given the Global Outstanding Overseas Compatriot Alumni Community Service Award. He is the first and only Filipino to receive such a prestigious award.

These are just many of the awards bestowed to this generous and kindhearted fellow who has exemplified the true essence of living life to the fullest.

This reminds me of the beautiful Desiderata poem by Max Ehrmann.

It says, “Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.”

Most people are kind and good and we pay more attention to them. Just like this person with high ideals and a hero for his good deeds.

A humble and magnanimous person, Mesina has dedicated his life to helping and serving the community. His generosity to the community marked by a lifetime of humble service is most commendable.

We cannot thank you enough, Mr. Benito Mesina. May your tribe increase.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph