ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya—This town recently gave recognition and awards to its own professional, politicians and elderlies as part of its weeklong centennial celebration.
“This is our way of honoring the great achievements and contributions of our villagers to our town. We are very proud of them for these contributions,” said Mayor Lucita Tan.
She said the event is also an expression of the centennial celebration’s theme, “Pagbabalik-Tanaw, Pasasalamat at Pagbubunyi” (Recollection, Thanksgiving and Celebration).
Awarded as Oldest Living Professionals were Antonio Fernandez, teacher; Esteban Tucay, schools district supervisor; Ignacio Galindez, elected provincial board member and regional supervisor; Dr. George Gatchalian, medical doctor; lawyer Edgar Poyatos, lawyer; Architect Henry Bungubung, architect; Dr. Sinforoso Rimando, dentist; Leonisa Merced-Malana, nurse; Captain Frali Quezon, pilot;
Rebecca Gatchalian, midwife; Clarita Saldivar, social worker; Bartola Bautista, agriculturist; engineer Purita Paringit-Justiniano, chemical engineer; retired General Romeo Calizo, Philippine Military Academy graduate and the town’s first general; Police Senior Supt. Ronaldo Lucera Llanera, Philippine National Police Academy graduate; Ship Captain Serafin Bassig, seaman and Forester Mario Bungubung, oldest forester.
Aritao’s oldest living elected officials who served the municipality were also honored, including Guillermo Peros, mayor; Trinidad Mallo, councilor; Dominador Layco, Association of Barangay Captains president; and Dr. Remelina Peros, Kabataang Barangay Federation president.
The municipality’s other professionals who gave pride to Aritao as its “firsts” were also recognized, like Rep. Luisa Cuaresma as first Aritaoeno who became governor and congresswoman; Dr. Cirilo Galindez, who became regional director of the Veterans Regional Hospital; Karole Oy Serapon, who became “Saniata” (beauty) of Nueva Vizcaya; and lawyer Romeo Montefalco Jr., who became director of the Department of Labor and Employment.
Aritao was the first locality in Nueva Vizcaya to be discovered by Christian missionaries several centuries ago, and was the first town to be organized. With 22 barangays, the town has more than 37,000 residents as of the 2016 census of the Philippine Statistics Authority.