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.