Kalibo Celebrates Foundation Day

By Ambrosio Villorente

Picture shows (l to r) back row: Dr. Anna Mae Relingo, Dr. Edito Agustin, Dr. Marilyn Romaquin, Prof. Leyson, Dr. Danilo Abayon, Dr. Roberto Saladar, and Prof. Agustin. Front row: Dr. Ambrosio R. Villorente, Mr. Johnny P. Dayang, Prof. Theodore Rowan, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, Dr. Benny Palma, Kalibo Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and New Washington Mayor Edgar Peralta.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando

PAPI Pres. Johnny Dayang with Atty. Allen S. Quimpo, MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and company.

MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando, congratulating Mr. Johann Cawaling while Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo watches during the commemorative program of the 436 Founding Anniversary of Kalibo.

The 3rd Foundation Day Celebration of the 436th founding of the Ati Atihan town of Kalibo was held on Saturday November 3, 2007. The highlights of the celebration consisted of a Thanksgiving Mass held at the St. John The Baptist Cathedral, Kalibo; Mural Painting at the perimeter fence of Magsaysay Park, Kalibo; Spelling Contest; Boxing tournament; 2nd Raymar A. Rebaldo Badminton Cup; and Commemorative program.
Hon. Bayani F. Fernando, chairman of Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) was the guest of honor and speaker during the commemorative program. Before the program, Fernando met the members of the working press of Aklan in a press conference held in the SB Session Hall, Poblacion, Kalibo. He also visited Aklan State University, Banga Campus and attended the briefing led by Dr. Benny Palma, President.
The awards of the various contests were given during the commemorative program in the evening of Saturday, November 3. In the Spelling Bee Competition, Jones Castillo III walked away with the championship award of P3,000 cash and certificate. He is a 4th year student of St. Anne Montessori, Kalibo. The Spelling Bee Competition was a tight contest with the participation of students from the Regional Science High School For Region VI like Ma. Daress Trishia Taytayon who got the first runner–up award of P2,000 cash and certificate and Ma. Clarice Salido who was awarded the 2nd runner–up of P1,000 cash and certificate.
Some 36 contestants joined the spelling contest from several schools in Kalibo. Those who participated in the contest were given Certificate of Participation.
In Mural Painting competition, 32 future artists participated in the contest. Jeno Andrew M. Icasas was proclaimed the champion with P3,000 cash award and certificate. Marcelle Jay S. Iremedio won the second place of P2,000 cash and certificate, while Reyna Mae I. Icasas was third with P1,000 cash and certificate. The first three places are followed by Ryan Bahela, Paul Dexter T. Tibar, Alreed M. Zaspa, Jazzy April T. Macogue and Daniel Tonel. All those who participated in the Mural Painting Contest were given Certificate of Participation.
The press conference with chairman Bayani Fernando was attended by about 50 members of the Aklan Tri Media, SB members led by Vice Mayor Nilda B. Tambong, Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo and some barangay officials of Kalibo. Various topics of local and national importance were asked and discussed with chairman Fernando. Discussed were waste management and disposal, development of Boracay, issues and concerns in Metro Manila, flood control, and Kalibo as a city among others.
Kalibo was founded 436 years ago and Kalibo celebrated its foundation for the third time this month. During the commemorative program, some important personages who helped for the development of Kalibo, gave honors and glory to Kalibo were honored and recognized. They are: . Johann C. Cawaling, Maria Cecille Ignacio, Remia Donguines, Dr. Erenita Trance Labor, Hon. Ronce M. Reyes, Randy Anthony A. Rebaldo, Concepcion Constantino, Jessie Gerardo, Eleanor Isada, Michael Rapiz, Elsa Tabuena, Hon. Edjo Benjie Aranas, Hon. Rodel Bartolome, Hon. Liann Bautista, Hon. Niño Rey Carbona, Hon. Jay Ares Cavan, Hon. Marideth Cipriano, Hon. Luwelie Laserna, Hon. Jospeh Pescasiosa, Hon. Gemarlo Roldan, Hon. Laiza Dela Rosa, Hon. Larry Castillo, Hon. Benedicta Malapad, Hon. Jerry Malbas, Hon. Ananias Solina, Hon. Neddy Villanueva, Rey Lebaquin, Jr. and Gino Ramon Magayanes.
In behalf of the awardees, Mr. Johann C. Cawaling, Hon. Edjo Benjie Y. Aranas and Hon. Jerry R. Malbas gave their respective responses.
Atty. Diego M. Luces, former Mayor of Kalibo and now Aklan’s Provincial Administrator represented Governor Carlito S. Marquez and Congressman Florencio T. Miraflores who were not able to attend the commemorative program.
In his speech, Chairman Fernando who was Mayor of Marikina City for three terms related his experiences in the transformation of Marikina into a model city today.
Fernando is a Mechanical Engineering graduate of Mapua Institute of Technology, Manila. He founded the BF Group of Companies dealing with construction, steel, manufacturing and real estate. According to him, he constructed the Philippines tallest buildings, shopping malls, industrial and residential subdivisions.
He was secretary of DPWH for four months. For his outstanding accomplishments, Fernando was conferred, honoris causa, Dr. of Humanities, by Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan and the Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Award for government services. As Mayor of Marikina City he was accorded 55 citations and distinctions.
Fernando is “gentle in manner, resolute in action.” He is a man who can say no. He speaks and deals with people from all walks of life with amiable bearing of a real gentleman but decides and acts with a firm political will.
Like any other leaders, Fernando wants to go up. He submitted his name for vice president in the May 2004 election, but he was not selected by his political party. According to him, he has constructed huge edifices. He now aims to build “character” in man. “As a leader, I cannot cry with the poor for if my eyes are blinded with tears, who will lead them out of poverty?” He stressed this point when asked, “do you sympathize with the poor as you demolish their houses and drives sidewalk vendors?” /MP