Flor G. Tarriela l May 23, 2023 l Manila Bulletin
Its summer and time for reunions. When Congressman Edcel Lagman, “UP’s Most Distinguished Alumnus 2022” invited his UP Law classmates ’66 to visit Albay, my husband Atty. Edgar, (a distinguished UP Alumnus awardee in 2019), immediately agreed. Off we went with our son Ted; a pleasant hour flight with new international Daraga airport. I was impressed with the honesty and reliability of the airport personnel as I accidentally left my earphones in the ladies’ room upon arrival which was returned with no fuzz the next day.
The group was a company of illustrious lawyers, no less than retired Court of Appeals Justice Josefina “Baby” Salonga, former Executive Secretary Ruben Torres, former Assistant. Solicitor General Zeny and her husband Rene Corpuz, a practicing lawyer, and UN International Justice Lolit Dumlao, their “bubbly” class organizer.
During our UP Preparatory High School years, my memorable field trip was held in Bicol to see Mayon Volcano. Today, still majestic, a perfect cone. Krisel Lagman, the glamorous and progressive mayor of Tabaco explained that during eruptions, the tip may be deformed but eventually goes back to its perfect shape. Mayor Krisel hosted lunch at the soon to open Hotel midway of the Mayon Volcano, with delicious Bicolano delicacies such as its famous laing, pako with coconut milk, and fish dishes all freshly harvested. She toured us in the Tabaco Capitolyo, clean and modern. She gave a PowerPoint presentation of the towns activities and clarified that Tabaco is not named after tobacco but derived from the word Tabac, the traditional Itak or bolo. They are now working with the Dept. of Trade and Industry (DTI) to improve its cutlery products. Noteworthy is her project, a former dumpsite transformed to Hiraya Manawari (“may all your dreams come true”) Nature Park using mainly repurposed materials.
With pride, Cong. Edcel, joined by children Albay Governor Grex, Mayor Krisel. and Mark, a passionate educator and agri specialist, hosted dinner in his hacienda, to honor five young Albay students who won medals in the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad (TIMO). TIMO is an annual multinational Olympiad competition organized by the Olympian Champion Education Center (OCEC) and The Thailand Mathematics Society.
The youngest winner was Luke Abraham Dacullo, nine years old and grade 3, with his mom, Kristin April, coach Glenda Cantes and Tiwi Mayor Jaime Villanueva. Other awardees were Sienna Que (Bronze) coached by Joan Onrubia, grade 9 from Tabaco and from Malinao, Albay were two GOLD awardees, Reyver John Valenzuela, grade 10 (coach Abelardo AriendaJr.) and Rica May Ordinario grade 8 (coach Roberto del Carmen Jr.) and Gwen Canisula grade 9 (Bronze) coached by Jesse Cayago.
To “create” a medalist is definitely a team effort with the whole “village” working together. The motivated children, family encouragement and willing to sacrifice; teachers who see the children’s potential and government support.
These medalists are truly assets, knowing that in the 2018 Program for International Students Assessment (PISA), the Philippines ranked the 2 nd lowest spot in Science and Math, with the Dominican Republic last. Former NEDA Director General Cielito Habito spoke at the Women Biz recently and stated the main reason for this low score is due to severe malnutrition resulting not only in stunted body growth but brain development too. If this continues unchecked, where will the Philippines be years from now?
Dr. Cielito likes to see The Dept. of Education, the Dept of Agriculture and the Dept of Health work together on this. 90% of brain development occurs before age 5, with the first three years most critical. If everyone works together and Act Now, he said it is reversible in 5 years. Private sector through the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) President Atty. Dick Du-Balada has adopted this as its flagship project with trustee Karen Batungbacal De Venecia taking the lead.
Visiting Albay will not be complete without shopping for banigs, hammocks, pili etc which Cong. Edcel helped us pack “professionally” and he added laing ang dried fish to take home. Thank you, Cong. Edcel, for the fruitful and enriching Albay vacation. Reminiscing memories, discussing life, its challenges; new developments and opportunities.
*** Ms. Tarriela was former chairman of Philippine National Bank. former Undersecretary of Finance and the First Filipina Vice President of Citibank N.A. She is PNB Board Advisor, Nickel Asia’s Lead ID, LTG Inc.
Director and a trustee of FINEX. A gardener and an environmentalist, she founded Flor’s Garden in
Antipolo.