MORE NEWS, MOUNTAIN PROVINCE

10 outstanding Sadanga citizens honored in rites
By Angel Baybay

SADANGA, Mountain Province – This town honored its ten most outstanding citizens in a ceremony Wednesday witnessed by officials of local government units of the province and community people.

Leading the awardees were Sadanga natives who made names in the national scene for their exemplary performance in different fields.

Lawyer Joe Limmayog of the National Bureau of Investigation was cited for his contribution in the maintenance of public safety in the country. Now at the NBI central office in Manila, Limmayog rose from the ranks as investigator until he was promoted as regional director where he served the Cordillera region for some number of years.

Upon graduation from the Philippine College of Criminology, he joined the police force while studying law then joined the elite investigation agency after passing the bar.

Another lawyer, judge Robert Fangayen, was given commendation for his consistent and dedicated efforts as officer of the law leading to his appointment as judge of the Calasiao Municipal Trial Court. Fangayen earned his elementary education at Sadanga Central School then went to the Saint Paul’s School in Balbalasang, Kalinga for his secondary diploma. Not contented with a four year degree course from the Trinity College of Quezon City, he took up law at the Baguio Colleges Foundation. He practiced his profession while teaching at BCF before serving as legal officer of Baguio City.

Fangayen’s better half, the former Fatima Foy-os, was also awarded for her excellence in education. An alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas, she now heads the Saint Louis University college of nursing.

Provincial DILG director Rufina Fegcan was the unanimous choice in the field of local governance. A native of barangay Sacasacan, she braved all odds to finish her college education at the Saint Louis University. While stationed at the provincial DILG office in Bontoc, she continued her schooling obtaining a doctorate degree in Philosophy at the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College.

Couple Martin and Mary Apopot were selected awardees for the health sector. A medical doctor by profession, Martin works in an army hospital in the United States where they at present reside while his wife landed a job in a different hospital as a nurse. They were also commended for their financial support to poor but deserving college students.

The honors for initiating the sisterhood ties with Quezon City and conceptualizing the annual Fvegnash Festival was given to former mayor Gabino Ganggangan. Sisterhood ties opened many opportunities for people from both parties to learn and experience the unique culture of each government unit through exchange programs.
Her exemplary performance in the implementation of Early Child Care and Development programs led the judges to bestow to Cecilia Feyang the acclamation. A day care worker of Barangay Bekigan the past seven years, Feyang was cited for her unselfish service to the children by volunteering her time and effort in teaching the children in their most crucial formative years.

Former Saclit barangay chairman Ariston Aliga was equally given the honors for his commitment and support that contributed to the successful implementation of the Japan Social Development Fund – Social Inclusion Program benefiting many of the local residents.

They may not be natives of the municipality but Ha Hyun Yu and parish priest Marcial Lloyd Castañeda similarly bestowed citations. A Korean by nationality, Yu had been residing here for the last eight years as a missionary of a Pentecostal sect. Residents say he regularly conduct home visits giving material support to the needy. Castañeda on the other hand works as a parish priest to the catholic congregation. He was honored for his support to community programs aside from composing the lyrics of the municipal hymn.

The search for the outstanding citizens highlighted the activities of the annual Fvegnash Festival.