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Thursday, October 1, 2015

Perseverance, hardwork, faith in Godare hallmarks of outstanding ZamsboSurians

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – Perseverance, hard work, determination and faith in God are the hallmarks of the seven most outstanding “ZamboSurians 2015.”

This year’s awardees include Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Rolando L. Goan, retired City Prosecutor Reynaldo L. Goan, and retired Judge Edilberto G. Absin all of the justice system category, Leonila F. Tecson of the women empowerment and development category, BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas(BSP) Deputy Director Ernesto D. Dinglasa of the banking and finance category, Henry L. Tan and Clyton H. Tugonon of the entrepreneurship.

The awardees were feted by no less thanZamboanga del Sur Governor Antonio H.Cerilles in an annual awardingceremony for outstanding ZamboSuriansin recognition of their exemplary performance and achievements in their respective fields of endeavors.

The selection of outstanding ZamboSurians was one of the highlights of the province’s 63rd founding anniversary.

Surprised, honored

BSP Deputy Director Ernesto B.Dinglasasaid he was surprised and honored to learn he was nominatedto the said awards saying, “I am very pleased to receive this award, and it means that I have been recognized as a native of Pagadian City and Zamboanga del Sur.”

Dinglasa hails from barangay Balangasan, Pagadian City.

“Inever dreamt standing before my‘kababayans’ to receivethis distinct award, which recognizes myservices and achievements in life,” Dinglasa told this writer.

Poverty not a hindrance to success

“My perseverance, hardwork and faith in God led me to succeed. I realized that even if we are poor, if we have that great determination and perseverance guided by our faith in God we will surely succeed. Indeed, ‘poverty is not a hindrance to success’,”Dinglasaadded.

Champion of people’s rights

Lawyer Edilberto G. Absin, who once served as presiding judge of RTC here particularly branch 29 and branch 18, was bestowed the honor for his dedication and passion for the law and dispensation of justice.

Absin, who championed the rights of the people, made sure that the wheels of justice run its course.

“I am really very happy because I was accorded this great honor of being one of Most Outstanding ZamboSurians for 2015.  I am so proud that my efforts were recognized by the government officials,” Absin said.

Absin, who is now a private practitioner,hadserved the province for about 28 years starting off with his appointment as the first assistant prosecutor.

He was born in barangay Baloyboan, Pagadian City

Absin said when was a prosecutor he dispensedwith justice impartially, without fear or favor.

“When I was a prosecutor, I handled several cases such as the controversial case of father Malalay. I was the one who conducted preliminary investigation until the conviction of the accused,” Absinrecalled.

Applied Arts

Clayton H. Tugonon, the president and owner of the famous Classical Geometry Export Trading based in Mandaue City, Cebu was an awardee for entrepreneurship category.

Tugunon, a native ofPagadian City, was recognizedfor his renowned designs indoor and outdoor furniture lamps and furniture accessories. The designs he madehave won recognition and awards locally and internationally, making Filipino ingenuity and creativity known worldwide.

“I am very much inspired to receive the award from the provincial government. This is God’s best gift for me because it is the first time that a local government unit recognized my significant contributions to our nation’seconomy.”

Tugonon who made his visit to Pagadian in 1989, came home after 26 years to receive the award.

He was also overwhelmed with the recent infrastructure developments that are now happening in the city as well as in the province.

The awardees woretheir fabulous Barong Tagalog and Filipinianaoutfits, as they receivedtheirtrophies and plaques of appreciation in a simple but fitting awarding ceremony.