2024 is about to end. And there are so many things to be thankful to God for.
As our eldest sister Lou would always remind us, “Every gising is a blessing” (each morning is a blessing).
Personal and spiritual things aside, there are many things going on around us that we could be grateful for. And they are reasons to celebrate too.
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THE KOREANS. The Korean Community Association for Central Luzon led by its President Mr. Jong Pil Choi just celebrated the 2024 Hanbi Cultural Festival Program at Royce Hotel inside Clark Freeport. It was a grand celebration of our Korean friends that was well attended that Royce Hotel’s main ballroom was filled. Present were Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, and some heads of government agencies.
The organization, aside from acknowledging support from partners from the government and private sector, also recognized outstanding Korean citizens who contributed in uplifting their welfare and had also helped foster better understanding and cooperation in the Kor-Fil community in the province.
There are about 20,000 Koreans living and working in Pampanga; most of them stay in Angeles City. This number increases during winter time in Korea as they avoid harsh weather back home and instead play golf in Clark or troop to the beaches in the south.
Mr. Choi is doing a terrific job in looking after the welfare of his compatriots. Few months back, he called for a conference with local leaders and police authorities. In that event, he got the reassurance and commitment of the Philippine Government thru Vice Governor Pineda and Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin to double down on protection and security of our Korean friends living in Pampanga.
The well-acknoeledged Korean leader also assured his compatriots that all will be well both in the Philippines and back home where there was a bit of a political turmoil the past few days. That is one great leader.
Congratulations. Take a bow there Mr. Choi.
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MR. RENE ROMERO. One of the co-founders of Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PamCham) is being recognized for his outstanding business leadership. This award that given in time for the business chamber’s 20th anniversary just reaffirms the beief by so many people and groups in the splendid headship of one of Central Luzon’s most respected businessmen. One of them is the Pampanga Press Club that recognized him as one of the so-called Diamond Awardees. It was given last November 23 in a black-tie party in time for PPC’s 75th Anniversary celebration.
During that Gala Night, the chairman of Romac Group joined an illustrious group of awardees that included Manny V. Pangilinan, newly-minted Pablo Cardinal David, Atty. Emmanuel Y. Angeles, Mekeni Food Corporation, and many others.
The late Levy P. Laus, posthumous awardee for Countryside Development, must have been smiling in heaven upon seeing Mr. Romero being conferred the awards. After all, Mr. Laus, a co-founder of PamCham must be so happy now seeing the business chamber in good hands like Mr. Romero’s.
MEKENI FOOD CORP. The Garcias of Porac town were not only mindful of their own business. They have always made the community an integral part of their whole being. They could have cared less as they are all successful.
But its President Pruds Garcia and siblings Adrian. Lito, Doods and Nards would always remember what their parents Tatang Felix and Apung Meding had taught them – that sense of pakikisama (human relations) and care for neighbors.
Thus, Mekeni also became one of PPC’s Diamond Awardees. This time for its meaningful and high impact CSR programs. The citations read during the Gala Night, as written by PPC Chair Tonette Orejas read:
“For helping Porac town rise from the Mt. Pinatubo disaster by employing residents and teaching them hog-raising. For expanding the CSR to include the 17-year old Galing ng Batang Mekeni educational scholarship among children of employees; annual gift giving to selected institutions in the last decade; training the Emergency Preparedness and Response Team for emergencies; and Tunay na Bayani that honors small traders and vendors so that their success stories may inspire others. For signing an agreement with the Pampanga State Agricultural University, Mabalacat City College, and Don Honorio Ventura State University for the training and streamlining of Mekeni’s recruitment of employees.”
PETER ALAGOS. This amiable media colleague was also a PPC President in the early 2010s. He is this year’s MOKA Awardee for Mass Media.
What comes special with this award is the endorsement of many groups and leaders both from the private and the government sector. One of them is ConGen Elmer Cato who was also a MOKA Awardee and a journalist before becoming an ace diplomat.
Pareng Peter heralded through his articles in The Gulf Times the investment opportunities in the Philippines as well as the concern for the welfare of compatriots in Doha, Qatar where he is now based at.
He has also supported the Pinoy products that are exported and distributed in Qatar and the Middle East in many ways that he can.
MOKA AWARDEES. This year’s batch is quite impressive. One of them is Lisset Laus-Velasco for Business. Prior to this, the chairperson and CEO of Laus Group has been reaping so many awards not just in the Philippines but also in Asia and even elsewhere.
Laus-Velasco received the Outstanding Asean Women Entrepreneur Award from the Asean Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 2, 2023.
In 2022, she was awarded the prestigious Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2022. The world-renowned annual search organized by Ernst and Young and SGV Foundation recognized the LGC chair and CEO for her exemplary management excellence over a sustained period of time, making her a trailblazer in her particular field of business.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer also recognized her this year as one of the Women of Power Awardee.
MOKA is also reaffirming the Diamond Awards given by PPC. These are Dr. Elena Tesoro who is being awarded for Social Services and Dr. Vic Lugue for Medicine.
