7 outstanding citizens awarded in 103rd Baguio charter day rites

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Seven outstanding Baguio citizens, all ladies, were awarded during the 103^rd charter program at the Baguio Convention Center yesterday, Sept. 1.

Stringently screened by the Society of Outstanding Citizens Organization of Baguio (SOCOB) Council, the awardees are: Dr. Rowena Aquino Pascual for Professional Service, Engr. Susan Nalog-Anganga for cooperatives, retired teacher Elena Badival, Rebecca Domogan and Rosario Cordero for community service, Patricia Anne Gallardo for Public Service, and Rebecca Lim Nulud for Arts and Culture.

Not all are Baguio-born, but in heart, mind, and through working hands, each has contributed greatly, in small ways to changing lives.

Engr. Susan Nalog-Angaga’s love for family has radiated to unlimited range through working in the cooperative. .

As a professional, a civil and sanitary engineer, Ms. Angaga is academically prepared and well-experienced to tackle concerns about proper sewage disposal, health activities, and ecological balance. Being a member of socio-civic groups has immersed her in medical-dental missions, nutrition, literacy, livelihood skills, spiritual and moral development for young and adults.

She has however left her mark in cooperativism, where she founded the Baguio Vegetable Retailers Savings and Credit Cooperative (BAVESCO) at the Hangar Market. The coop has helped vendor-members, as affordable loans on easy repayment terms have become available to them. Self-reliance and interdependence, with the value of savings and the responsibility to pay back their loans for others’ use too, this is how Ms. Angaga has “dramatically transformed the lifestyles of her members through her commitment and devotion in the cause of Cooperatives.”

Ms. Elena Badival is a high school mentor who refused to rest on her laurels after a colorful teaching career. Having garnered several national awards such as Lingkod Bayan and Metrobank Foundation, among others, and many regional level awards, she has proven that public service knows no bound, not age and nor achievement.

She is considered an agriculturist and a committed scientist and researcher; learning and nurturing plants; both for income and sharing. She has also become the learner in recycling various scrap materials so as to teach them to women in her community, for hobby and income as well.

Applying what she herself has learned from floral arrangement experts, she has won prizes in two occasions during the Panagbenga festival.

She continues to be a good example serving the community through her efforts, socio-civic groups and the church.

Ms. Rebecca Domogan’s multi-role as nurse, mother and civic leader with involvement in community activities which belie her petite physique and gentle countenance, but demonstrate a strong character and concern for humanity has earned her the community service award. She encompasses what Mother Teresa meant when she said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.”

Among the things she has done: initiating livelihood projects such as baking, meat processing, fashion jewelry making, reflexology, livelihood grant, exhibit to showcase Baguio and regional products; being an advocate for women’s health and child care, spearheaded the conduct of medical, dental and opthalmological outreach missions in the barangays, donated reading materials, sports equipments, computers, musical instruments, and funds to various needy individuals and groups.

She is an environmentalist and advocate of the clean and green program through tree-planting.  As an individual and a member of socio-civic groups, has devoted time, skills and resources to needy individuals.          

Rosario Cordero is being honored for “embodying professionalism, service and social responsibility and inculcating their meaning to the consciousness of others.” She advocated self-empowerment and a “culture of caring” among the youth enabling them to carve their own niches in these rapidly changing times. Ms. Cordero made extra effort to “bridge the gap between the academe and the community opening the floodgates for cooperation and endeavored to uplift the plight of your colleagues in the profession.” She proved to the people of Baguio that “the best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.”

In the field of professional service, Baguio-born Dr. Rowena Aquino Pascual is honored for her time and sacrifices in serving people from all walks of life. Not limited to Baguio and Cordillera citizens, she goes out of her way as a dentist to serve those in other regions and even overseas. 

Starting early, in her junior year in dentistry studies, she has volunteered in dental missions until she passed the board exams in 2000. Volunteering to treat needy individuals however has been her passion for years; from the city’s Pasadang Pambarangay, to regional outreach missions in the Visayan area and up to Cambodia one time. Thorough in her work, she has distributed basic dental materials, demonstrated, lectured, and worked on patients tirelessly. A team player in volunteerism, she has been described as humble, professional, approachable and joyful in her labors.   

She herself professes that whatever God-given skill she has, shall be shared joyfully to her fellowmen.      

Ms. Rebecca Lim Nulud’s heart is for children with special needs. Her passion in dance, song and theater which she whole-heartedly shared to marginalized and street children is worthy of emulation as this is seen to increase their positive outlook in life. As said of her, “there are dancers who can move people with their feet while you move people with your heart.”

Described as a standard bearer, a developer, an integrator and a leader in her art which is dancing, Ms. Lim-Nulud has a degree in commerce, but her love for the arts prevailed. She earlier has a teaching career at the Angeles University foundation but later joined the Saint Louis University as choreographer/trainor. She has worked with students at first, then radially sought for talents in children, even marginalized children albeit the difficulties encountered.

Patiently working with them however brought joy and surpassed the expectations of the audience when they were presented in a well-applauded dance recital. Ms. Nulud, thus looks forward to more talents, as her former dance students are now also becoming licensed teachers themselves.        

Public service awardee Patricia Anne Gallardo has dedicated her life to helping abused women, individuals who have known great suffering but have found their way out of the depths through people who have shown them compassion, gentleness and deep loving concern.

A survivor of an abusive relationship, she managed to get out after so many years. Since then, she has shared her pains and story of hope to women of similar situation, despite the confirmation of some, discrimination and seemingly judgment of other persons.     

For Ms. Gallardo, the outstanding citizen award would make others realize that “there are people out there changing lives one thread at a time.”

Fr. Jesse Hechanova of Saint Louis University was speaker of the occasion, where the theme is: “Sustaining a Sense of History, Community and Continuity.”

Other activities include the civil service anniversary, sister cities exhibit, jobs fair, mass wedding, sports competition, environmental programs, culinary and food fest, fashion show, and skills competition. 

For sports enthusiasts, the Bahag airs oft-speedball tournament shall be done on Sept 8 at the Athletic Bowl.   

The Baguio Arts Guild conducts a “Silver” Fashion show and exhibit at the Baguio Country Club on September 2.

On Sept 3, the Philippine Civil Service celebrates its 112th anniversary at city hall. On Sept. 5 to 7, the Baguio Day sister cities exhibit goes on at Malcolm Square.

The HRAB opening, a mass wedding and unveiling of the largest wedding cake shall also be done at SM City, on Sept 6, which is expected to bring in a large number of participants and spectators. The Mr. And Ms. HRAB competition shall also be done in the evening of Sept. 6 at the same venue.  

On Sept. 8, a socio-civic-city-NGO sponsored medical and dental mission shall be done at the Baguio Convention Center.

On Sept. 16, prayers in various churches shall be offered, with intentions “for a better Baguio.”

On Sept. 26-27, a local and foreign jobs fair shall be conducted by the City Mayor’s Office in coordination with the Public Employment Services Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment and other offices. The venue shall be confirmed in later media releases.