Fifty-one years after graduation, theUniversity of the Philippines (UP) Law Class ’53 finds two of its students back in the corridors of power. In the last May 10 elections, Juan Ponce Enrile, the class salutatorian, was returned to the Philippine Senate. Braulio D. Yaranon, who retired as Regional Trial Court Judge seven years ago, was elected Mayor of Baguio City.
The two will be honored in a testimonial dinner to be given by the class at 6 p.m., Friday, July 23, in the Sampaguita Room of EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. A plaque of distinction will be awarded to each of them.
Members of the class may contact Judge Eduardo C. Tutaan, class president, (922-6702) or (927-4535).
Outstanding women
The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service TOWNS Foundation holds a triennial Search and Awards for Filipino women aged between 21 and 45-years-old (by July 31, 2004) who have made a significant impact in the service of their community and/or country.
Presidential Proclamation Number 652, declaring the last week of October as "National TOWNS Week," TOWNS will host a series of activities open to the public.
The first TOWNS Awards began in 1974. Today, there are 115 awardees. Awardees in 2001 include Jessica Soho (Journalism), Queena Lee Chua (Education), Bernie Madrid (Medicine), Clarissa Ocampo (Public Service/Banking), Clarita Aganon (Government Service-Agriculture and Rural Development), Leah Reyes (Education for special children) Grace Nono Aves (Performing Arts-Music), Olivia Damasco (Agriculture-Plant Tissue Culture), Marie Antoinette Meñez (Science Marine Ecology) and Marvie Abesamis (Medicine, Children’s Health Care).
Nomination forms may be obtained at the Museong Pambata, East Avenue Medical Center, Tumor Clinic (Dr. Marvie Abesamis) or through e-mail: nyluson@museopambata.org. Deadline is July 31. Awards will be given in October.
Labor attachés meet
Working intensively to assure a successful outcome for the country’s efforts to free overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Angelo de la Cruz in Iraq and render assistance to his family, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas has also called the Philippines’ labor attaches in 11 Middle East countries to a command conference in Amman, Jordan yesterday, July 19, and today, July 20.
Speaking at the DoLE’s flag-raising ceremony in Manila yesterday, acting Labor and Employment Secretary Manuel Imson said that while the labor attachés help Angelo and his family, they will also push towards new directions to boost the conditions, welfare and safety of all OFWs in the Middle East.
"The Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in the Middle East are doing what they can to support Secretary Sto. Tomas who personally assisted the De la Cruz family," Imson said.
"We fervently hope and pray for the immediate and successful resolution of the crisis. At the same time, we will also push on towards a new impetus aimed at strengthening the welfare and safety of the OFWs in the region," Imson added. (Raul V. Gonzales)
PWU ‘Pistahan’ Festival
Filipino artists, three of whom were graduates of the Philippine Women’s University (PWU), will hold a Filipino-American art exhibition, showcasing Filipino contemporary art by Philippine and US-based artists at Pistahan Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, California, USA, on Aug. 14-15.
The paintings bound for this cultural event, now on its 11th year, will be on exhibit at the National Parks Development Committee and Art Associations of the Philippines’ Kanlungan Art Gallery tomorrow, July 21, at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Amelou B. Reyes, president of the PWU, will formally open the exhibits with Vice President Encarnacion Roralio, Dean Rosario Peralta, and Fidel Sarmiento, president of the Art Association of the Philippines and PWU faculty.
Award-winning artists Gary Amante, Joel Fobanan and Marvin de Leon, all PWU graduates, are among the featured artists with Alfredo Esquillo, Alfred Galura, Manny Garibay, Jojo Lofranco, Louie Reyes, and Cris Villanueva, Jr.
With "Only in San Francisco" as its theme, the festival will feature a colorful parade, multi-arts outdoor fair film showings, Pamana awards, and visual arts exhibits. (Sonia Atabug)
