Thursday, May 02, 2013

Aklan Honors Outstanding Aklanons




2013 Outstanding Aklanons are shown left to right. They are Dr. Myrna N. Ricafuente-Jover, Dr. Emma T. Cortes, Mr. Hermenegildo T. Villanueva, and Dir. Cynthia R. Nierras.  

Aklan honored four (4) of its citizens as outstanding Aklanons of 2013. The award ceremonies was held on Thursday, April 25 during the 57th Aklan Day celebration. It was held at ABL Sports complex, Kalibo. The awardees are Mr. Herminigildo T. Villanueva, Dr. Myrna N. Ricafuente-Jover; Dr. Emma T. Cortes, and Dir. Cynthia R. Nierras. 

Villanueva is Outstanding Aklanon in the field of Agriculture. He is a native of Numancia, Aklan. He graduated in Numancia Elementary School in 1948. He finished high school in Aklan College in 1957. He continued his study in Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija where he completed Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education. 
He is married to Teresita P. Villanueva, now a retired public teacher. They have three children who are all professionals.

Villanueva began his career with the Bureau of Plant Industry as Plant Pest Control Officer. He earned his promotions via hard work, honesty, industry and dedication. He was appointed Provincial Agriculturist of Aklan where he retired in 2000.

In his job in the Department of Agriculture. Villanueva led in the production and distribution of fruit tree planting materials in Aklan like Indian mango now produced abundantly in Aklan and exported to other provinces. He also organized the Aklan Seed Growers in 1969 to produce and distribute Certified Rice Seeds.

For all his efforts, Villanueva was awarded “Outstanding Achievement In Rice Production” and “Credit of Merit” from the Department of Agriculture. He also received a Certficate of Appreciation from the Rotary Club of Kalibo. 

Today, Villanueva is busy serving his family and God as a Lay Minister in Saint Joseph The Worker Parish, Numancia. He is also very busy in his farm in Laguinbanua, Numancia. 

Myrna N. Ricafuente–Jover is this year’s Outstanding Aklanon in the field of medicine. She is a nurse, chemical engineer and a physician. The daughter of the late Mr. Lucio and Rosario Ricafuente, Myrna was born in Kalibo. She is married to Neill Jover, also a physician. They have four children. 

Myrna finished elementary and high school education in Aklan College, Kalibo. She finished bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Dr. of Medicine. She passed all the board examinations required in order to practice these professions. She also passed the Australian Nursing Board and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Examinatins all in her first attempt. 

Myrna is currently a proprietor of Illawarra Medical Services in South Wales, Australia. Before moving to Australia. Myrna served Aklan as general practitioner. She taught Algebra, Anatomy and Microbiology in Saint Gabriel College, Kalibo. 
Dr. Emma T. Cortes is Outstanding Aklanon in the field of government service. She is a retired Provincial Health Officer and now a consultant at DRSTMH, Kalibo. 

A Numanciahanon, Emma married the late Wilfredo F. Cortes. They are blessed with two children who are now professionals. Emma is a nurse who finished her nursing degree at St. Gabriel College, Kalibo. She continued studying until she finished Doctor of Medicine in Manila Central University, and became full pledge doctor after passing the Board for Medical doctors in 1971. 

Dr. Cynthia R. Mierras is outstanding Aklanon in the field of public service. She was born in Kalibo, 59 years ago, the daughter of the late Higinio G. Reyes and Efigenia F. Villanueva. She is married to Jesus R. Nierras and blessed with five children. 

She completed Bachelor of Science in Commerce, summa cum laude, in Notre Dame of Marvel College. She passed the Accounting Board examinations in 1979. She was also granted Career Executive Service eligibility in 1997. In April 1984, Cynthia finished her Master in Business Management in Netherlands and the Regional Industrial Development Executive Course in the University of New England.

Cynthia served as Presidential Assistant for Eastern Visayas with the rank of assistant secretary, Office of the President of the Philippines. 

Today, she is a member of Community of Practitioner in Regional Economic Development and member of the Board – National Union of Career Executive Service officers. 

Special awards were given to Atty. Diego M. Luces for Public Servant; Mr. Bernardino C. Arguelles for Educator; and Mr. Rodulfo M. Garcia for Business Entrepreneur; The DepEd,; AKELCO and Metro Kalibo Water District were also awarded. /MP

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