Fortune Life, Deped, Marylindbert Intl laud educators embodying ‘golden’ values of hard work and discipline
ON the occasion of the recent World Teachers’ Day, Fortune Life Insurance Co., Inc. relived the 10th year of “The Value of Hard work and Discipline”— an advocacy program in partnership with the Department of Education (Deped) and Marylindbert International.
The program’s positive effects were evident during the virtual awarding ceremony of the “Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon” for 13 outstanding educators, with Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones as guest of honor and keynote speaker.
For the past decade, the “Gintong Parangal” has been honoring and rewarding teachers and leaders who embody and promote the values of Amb. Cabangon Chua. It consists of two categories: Gintong Parangal para sa Guro for teachers, and Gintong Parangal para sa Pamumuno for administrators.
Meanwhile, Fortune Life’s Values Advocacy Program (VAP) has been actively promoting the core values of hard work and discipline to public-school students. The insurance company provides workbooks with lessons inspired by the life story of its founder—the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua—who achieved success despite adversities by embracing such values.
Now on its ninth year, the awarding event of Gintong Parangal para sa Guro recognizes teachers, division supervisors and principals who assiduously promote the program’s advocacies. Awardees for this category were Grace B. Mosqueda (Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur); Rainelda Blanco, PHD (Bulacan); Garry L. Pangan, PHD (Pampanga); Arnel M. Batalla, PHD (Nueva Vizcaya); and Jennifer H. Moro (Batanes). Honorable mentions were Mario B. Paneda, EDD and Cherry Belle F. del Rosario (La Union); as well as Johnny T. Samino, PHD (Naga City, Camarines Sur).
On the other hand, Gintong Parangal para sa Pamumuno, currently in its fourth year, highlights the exemplary work and leadership skills of highschool officials from different school divisions and district offices. Awardees for this category were Rosemarie D. Torres, EDD, CESO V (Imus City, Cavite); Flordeliza C. Gecobe, PHD, CESO V (Quirino); Dominico C. Idanan, EDD, CESO V (Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila); Roger F. Capa, CESO VI (Occidental Mindoro); and Romelito G. Flores, CESO V (General Santos City).
Fortune Life EVP and General Manager Emma M. Abad said, “We at Fortune Life are truly delighted and grateful to God for allowing us to be an instrument in touching the lives of... pupils as well as... teachers.”
Abad assured educators that even during the pandemic, Fortune Life will actively remain a key partner and leader in supporting Deped’s blended learning program.
Milestone
FORTUNE Life President D. Arnold A. Cabangon proudly declared that the event “was a significant milestone for the company, as it represents a decade of giving honor and recognition to our dear teachers.”
In the span of 10 years, Fortune Life has recognized a total of 89 “Gintong Parangal” awardees, 66 of whom received the Gintong Parangal Para sa Guro, while 23 were honored with the Gintong Parangal Para sa Pamumuno. Cabangon remarked that a 2017 “Gintong Parangal ” awardee, Windel Alvarez, who is an alternative learning system teacher from Caramoan in Camarines Sur, was even distinguished as one of the “50 Best Teachers of the World in 2020.”
“This proves that all nominees’ applications undergo thorough evaluation. The chosen winners are genuinely exceptional,” the Fortune Life president noted. “The continuing immense success of our VAP is because of our dear awardees and the inspiration they echo year-by-year.”
In her speech, Briones expressed her utmost appreciation for Fortune Life, and how the VAP has helped students. She shared that “at a time like this, to remind them that hard work and discipline are very important to the development of the learner, is crucial. Thank you very much for this.”
The education secretary also emphasized that “the life of Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua has shown us that victory cannot be achieved without hard work [and discipline, and these are] even more important at this time of pandemic.”
Appreciation, tribute
AS a token of appreciation, the Fortune Life president, together with ALC Group of Companies Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon and D. Cecilia A. Cabangon, presented a digitized compilation of Briones’ column pieces published in the Businessmirror entitled “Boiled Green Bananas.”
Also in the virtual event streamed live via Facebook on May 28, Fortune Life’s Consulting Actuary Evelyn T. Carada, introduced the Big Book of Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua: A 21st Century Hero. It consists of inspirational stories for kindergarten as well as Grades 1 and 2 pupils, and is based on the early years of the Fortune Life founder. The book, with its two parts: “Si Tony: Ang Limpya Bota” (Tony and the Shoeshine), and “Si Tony: Ang Batang Negosyante” (Tony, the Young Businessman) reflects the sincere love of a child for his mother, and how he overcame poverty through hard work.
With the special book, Fortune Life aims to inspire young people to pursue their dreams despite the lack of resources and hardships.
The virtual event was posted earlier this month on Fortune Life’s Facebook page (@Fortunelifeph ) and Youtube channel.