SAN JOSE, Antique – The Rotary Club of Antique cited five outstanding Antiqueños during the 2018 Antiqueño Ako Awards (AAA) Recognition program held at the Villa Del Carmen in this province.
“An anthropologist, artist, model teacher and two top one Antiqueños in licensure examinations are this year’s awardees of the AAA program that aimed to recognize our outstanding province-mates who have accomplished much and who will serve as our inspiration and source of empowerment,” said AAA chairperson PDG Melvin dela Serna.
The awardees are anthropologist Dr. Alicia Portillo Magos, songwriter and singer Beny F. Castillon, model teacher Epifanio B. Nalupano, chemical engineering licensure examination topnotcher Jared Philipp Condez, and medical technology licensure exam topnotcher Marani M. Sendelbach-Hecita.
Dr. Magos had taught for almost 40 years at the University of the Philippines, the last 22 years at the UPV in Iloilo City with a doctorate degree of Philippine Studies-Culture and Society.
She was formerly Director of the Center for West Visayan Studies, a research and extension arm of the College of Arts and Sciences of UP.
The highlight of the work of Dr. Magos as a socio-cultural worker, a professor and researcher, was her study on the Panay Bukidnon/Iraynun and Ati, where she documented the life of the Tumandoks for almost 25 years.
She heroically revived the Ten Epics of Panay, which are in 13 volumes, which were published by the UP Press, and the other series are still waiting for print release for now.
Magos was the prime mover for the establishment of the School of Living Traditions in the Central Panay which is still surviving today for the revival of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices of the Tumandoks.
Her advocacy in Panay Bukidnon culture resulted in the winning of Federico and Romulo Caballero as Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan (The Living Treasures-National Artists), relive the epics of Panay thru chants and “suguidanon” or stories.
Beny Castillon, who hails from Pojo, Bugasong, Antique, composed and performed original musical plays and had won numerous awards in Ilonggo Music Festival from 1993 to 1998.
He composed the Iloilo Hymn “Banwang Pinili” in 1998 and his “Hymno Kang Pagpasalamat” was also adjudged champion during the Search for the Golden Jubilee theme song competition in San Jose, Antique.
These are some of the long list of Benny’s successful pursuits in the field of song writing.
Mr. Epifanio B. Nalupano, who hails from Bugo, San Remigio, Antique, has been known for his dedication and determination to serve the students despite the risks in his life as he embraced the core values of the Department of Education.
Napulano was conferred Man of the Year Award from Concerned Media Inc., at Bay View Grand Hotel Manila on September 30, 2004 and the Gintong Sikap National Award from the same award giving body on October 24, 2004.
Another awardee, Marani M. Sendelbach-Hecita, is a resident of Preciado Street, San Jose topped the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET) with an average rating of 88.2 percent besting other 1,062 who passed the examination out of 1,981 examinees.
Sendelbach-Hecita, who was the 2005 topnotcher, was recognized by Former Governor Sally Perez in a program held at the EBJ Freedom Park in San Jose.
Jared Philip M. Condez, topped in the 2017 chemical engineering examination.
Condez, whose parents are both former Overseas Filipino Workers, studied hard with dedication to repay the hardships of his parents.
Rotary Club of Antique President Donabelle P. Panaligan lauded all the awardees stressing that “it is passion that has driven these people to achieve great things in life. These people are inspired and motivated from within and leave such a wonderful impact to our lives worthy to be emulated especially by the youth of today.”
Rotary Club District 3850 District Governor Lindon T. See Diet said that the award does not only recognize outstanding Antiqueños but will surely inspire many other Antiqueños to serve their community with the same vigor and dedication as embedded in Rotary’s Motto of “Service Above Self.” (PIA/PN)
