Aklan Honors 14 Outstanding Citizens

As one of the highlights of the 52nd Aklan Day celebration, the provincial government of Aklan recognized 14 of its citizens as outstanding in 14 different fields of endeavors. (Second of three parts)

Most Rev. Raul Q. Martirez was ordained priest on March 18, 1961 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Roxas City. He was again ordained as bishop on March 24, 1983 on the same church. Today his residence is in Christ the King Parish, Green Meadows, Quezon City after long years as Bishop in the Diocese of Antique.
Bishop Martirez was born on February 9, 1938 and the eldest son of the late Dr. Napoleon Alba-Martirez and Patrocinio Reyes-Quimpo of Kalibo, Aklan.
He graduated his elementary education in New Washington, Aklan and his secondary and Philosophy education in St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo City. He obtained his Theology in Central Seminary, UST, Manila and continued his BSE in Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion, Roxas City. To further his studies, he finished his Canon Law in Angelicum University, Rome, Italy.
In his public life serving God and his fellow men here and abroad, Bishop Martirez served as: Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph, Banga, Aklan; Professor and Dean of Students, St.Pius X Seminary, Roxas City; Diocesan Director, Cursillos in Christianity; Secretary, Diocesan Senate of Priests, Rector, St. Pius X Seminary, Roxas City; Parochial Vicar, St. Camillus Parish, Rockway, N.Y.; Chaplain, Carmel Monastery, Domont, Paris, France; Chaplain, Heiliges Kreuz Church, Dorstadt, Germany; and Rector, St. Joseph Regional Seminary, Jaro, Iloilo City.
He was also a Member of the Permanent Council, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the Episcopal Commission Family and Life and Chair, Episcopal Commission for Non-Believers until March 24, 2002.

Judge Maria Carrilo Zaldivar, or Nay Nani as she was fondly called, was born in Numancia, Aklan to Mr. Felimon Leyson Carillo and Mrs. Macrina Irao Carillo on December 5, 1924. She was married to the late Hon. Amideo Zaldivar, former Mayor of Nabas, Aklan. This union was blessed with two children, Cristanciano (deceased) and Amarie.
She spent her elementary years in Numancia Elementary School and her high school at Aklan Central Institute and Kalibo Institute. After she finished her Bachelor of Laws from Siliman University in 1951, she took the Bar Examination in August 1951 and passed it with a rating of 80.6 percent. She began her private law practice thereafter. As member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Aklan Chapter, she served as its President for two terms (1995 -1997, 2005 – 2007).
Judge Zaldivar started her career as a public servant in 1955. Though, the political arena was then considered as men’s turf, she became the Deputy Governor of Capiz Province in February 1955 to December 31, 1955, a year before the separation of Aklan from Capiz. She was Provincial Board member from 1964 – 1967 and as Mayor of Nabas, Aklan for 16 years from 1972 – 1988. As one of the first elected women leaders in Aklan, she paved the way for women in the field of politics. She was appointed Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Aklan from 1990 – 1994. She served as Consultant of the Provincial Governor’s Office from 1996 – 2007.
Judge Zaldivar after 62 years of dedicated public service joined our Maker on February 11, 2008 at the age of 83.

Dr. Ma. Daphne Y.O. Villorente was born on May 24, 1942 in Libacao, Aklan to the spouses, the late Santos Nobleza Orbista and Coronacion Zabala Ycay. She is married to former mayor of Libacao, Engr. Geraldito A. Villorente. They have 3 sons, Gabriel Dennis, Gilbert Dexter and Gerald Dave O. Villorente. She is a career professional and retired district super-visor in the District of Libacao and Madalag.
She graduated her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Bachelor of Science in Education at Aklan Catholic College. She obtained her degree in Bachelor of Arts major in English in Far Eastern University Cum Laude, and finished her post graduate studies, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Educational Manage-ment at Gregorio Araneta University Foundation, Malabon, Metro Manila.
Dr. Villorente was inspired by the lines of Martin Vanbee “The kind of world we live in tomorrow depends on the kind of education of our children today”. In heart and in mind guided with this principle in 44 years service in school, education for all and access to education were implemented in the District of Libacao. Many schools were opened like Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School, the Loctuga National High School and more elementary and primary schools in schoolless barangays.
In her supervision, nothing is impossible, today, the Dalagsaan Elementary School which is 45 kilometers away from Poblacion and can be reached by walking for one (1) day passing through rugged terrain, crossing swift current of the rivers is serving grade school. The Taroytoy Primary School is serving from Grade I to IV and other primary schools upgraded to elementary schools which are now catering pupils in the District of Libacao. She raised the academic performance of pupils through intensive supervision of classes in 30 elementary schools in the district, ranking consistently on top 5 of the 19 districts of the division of Aklan.
Dr. Villorente is also a recipient of various certificates of merit, awards and recognitions. In her 44 years of public service, she was awarded Outstanding Public Schools District Supervisor by Regional Director, Pilar Pascual as recommended by Schools Division Superintendent Reinalda I. Magdaluyo, the only one in the Division of Aklan.

Atty. Florentino D. Mabasa is a native of Banga, Aklan. He was born on August 8, 1958. He took his elementary education at Banga Elementary School, Banga, Aklan and secondary education at St. Pius X Seminary in Roxas City, Capiz. He earned his degree in Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the Far Eastern University in 1978, his degree in Bachelor of Laws at the Ateneo de Manila College of Law in 1982 with Second Honors, and passed the Bar Examinations in 1983.
From 1983 to 1993, he started as practicing lawyer and partner in different prestigious law offices such as Ledesma Saludo & Associates Law office, Agcaoili & Associates Law Office, Lagustan Mabasa & Burgos Law Office. In 1996, he was the General Corporate Law Counsel, Credit Committee Member, and Asset Management and Protection Head with the rank of Vice President of First Philippine International Bank. From 1996 to 1997, he was the Head of Legal Services and Vice President of PDCP Commercial Bank. From 1997 to 1999, he served as the General Counsel, Assistant Corporate Secretary, Human Resource Department Head, and Acquired Asset Management Head of Export and Industry Bank. From August 2, 1999, up to the present, he is the Vice President, Assistant Corporate Secretary and Head of Legal Services Center of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company. ( to be continued next issue.)