Most outstanding Kapampangans recognized
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial government of Pampanga recognized the eleven kabalens who excelled in their respective fields as 2017 Most Outstanding Kapampangans awardees (MOKA).
The MOKA is the main highlight of the 446th Aldo Ning Kapampangan held on Monday (December 11) in this city.
During the recognition rites, Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda said she is hoping that the recognition of outstanding Kapampangans would last for decades.
She added that Pampanga stands still for the past 446 years since it was founded despite the calamities it
encountered especially the unforgettable Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.
The eleven MOKA awardees are John Alan Larkin— Outstanding Honorary Kapampangan; Dr. Eduardo Lapuz Jr. – Agriculture; Conrado Manuel Del Rosario III – Arts; Segundo Matias, Jr. – Culture; Dr. Luis Maria Calingo – Education; Elmer Cato – Government Service; Corazon Legaspi – Parenthood; Bienvenido Tan Jr. – Social Service; Allan Delos Reyes – Youth Service, Raul Matias – Business and Entrepreneurship; and Bishop Victor Ocampo – Religion.
Larkin was born in Connecticut, USA and first came to the Philippines in 1963. He became an icon among Kapampangan historians and cultural workers because of his book entitled “The Pampangans” which was published in 1972. His other works on Pampanga include: “The Kapampangan Zarzuela, Theatre for a Provincial Elite,” Introduction and notes to “Report on Work among the Negritos of Pampanga, Sugar and the Origins of Modern Philippine Society, Pampanga Views the Revolution: Imagination and Memory of a Time of Suffering and Sacrifice.”
Lapuz, Jr., a native of Candaba, is the present chief of the regulatory division that supervised animal welfare, animal health, good agricultural practice, good animal husbandry practice and regulatory requirements on animal establishments. he started practicing his profession as a veterinarian since 1984 and during the recent avian influenza outbreak in Pampanga and Nueva Ecija last August, led the Regional Avian Influenza Task Force and spearheaded the establishment of the Regional Bird Flu Laboratory Department. Del Rosario III, local of Angeles City and MOK awardee in the field of Arts, founded the Kapampangan Musicians or KAPAMU. He won several awards from different competitions inside and outside of the Philippines. He worked as a professional musician and instructor from different universities in and out of the country.
Matias from Lubao, started his profession as a physical therapist and moved in the world of business in 1992. He is the owner of the luscious chocolate Machiavelli Chocolatier.
Segundo Matias, Jr. also a native of Lubao and brother of Raul, is a trustee of the Book Developmental Association and dispenses free storytelling sessions to street children, orphanages, and schools.
Calingo is the ninth President of Holy Angel University in Angeles City. He is an educator whose background in higher education is extensive band varied, with most significant success in turnaround and institution-rebuilding environments.
Cato from Angeles City, started his government career since 1998 and was given the opportunity to become Charge d’Affaires, en pied of the Embassy of the Republic the Philippines in Baghdad in which he assumed his position on May 24, 2015.
Legaspi, a native of Sta. Ana, is blessed with six children who were all successful academically and to their chosen careers. Bishop Ocampo from Angeles City, served in eight parishes as well as director of various diocesan offices such as the catechetical office, the liturgical commission, the Biblical Apostolate, Director of the Adoracion Nocturna Filipina, the family and life commission and was also the chancellor of the diocese and member of the consultators.
Tan, Jr., a native of Bacolor, helped not just with money and other assets but even professional expertise, time and actual presence to make a difference in the quality of others people’s lives. Delos Reyes from Minalin handles and serves seven community learning center and was also able to register two youth organizations at the National Youth Commission Office of the President.
— Leslie Anne Mahusay/Pampanga PIO