IN an inspiring celebration of dedication and excellence, Fortune Life Insurance Co., Inc. (Fortune Life), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Marylindbert International (MLB), recognized outstanding educators and administrators at the 11th Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua (ALC) Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon Awards. The event, in celebration of National Teachers’ Month, took place at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central office, Meralco Ave., Pasig City, on October 3.
Leading the guests were Former Education Secretary Leonor “Liling” Magtolis-Briones and Pasig City District Rep. and House Committee on Education Chairman Roman T. Romulo, with his wife Shalani Soledad-Romulo. Also present were PRC Board Member Dr. Paraluman R. Giron, DepEd Assistant Regional Director for NCR Cristito A. Eco, former DTI Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman and Rotary Club of Manila Vice President Reginald T. Yu. The awardees and guests were welcomed by Fortune Life executives — President and CEO D. Arnold A. Cabangon, Board Treasurer J. Antonio A. Cabangon, Executive Vice President and COO Emma M. Abad, together with ALC Group Chairman D. Edgard A. Cabangon.
As part of its commitment to nurturing values-driven education, Fortune Life has been providing, since 2011, workbooks and teaching guides inspired by the life story of its founder, the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua. His life journey is a testament to success despite adversity by embracing the values of hard work and discipline. Over 12 years, Fortune Life has reached more than 10 million students and 73,393 teachers. It has also provided 382,167 workbooks and 33,772 teaching guides to schools nationwide.
The Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon is an integral part of Fortune Life’s annual celebration, meant to honor and reward educators who embody and promote these values. This recognition is divided into two categories: para sa Guro and para sa Pamumuno. This year, there are 5 Pamumuno awardees, 5 Guro honorees and 3 Guro-Honorable Mention.
The Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon – Guro category recognizes teachers, division supervisors, and principals who promote the program’s advocacies. The awardees for this category include Marybeth O. Arcenas (Sultan Kudarat), Michael B. Armentia (Quezon City), Anna-Liza S. Jimenez (Siquijor), Moises M. Lopez III, PhD (La Union), and Michael B. Malvar (Ilocos Norte). Honorable Mention Awardees in the Guro category include Florence P. Alicante, EdD (Parañaque City), Cherry Lyn V. Balbacal (Panabo City), and Orencio M. Chavez (Naga City).
The Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon – Pamumuno category highlights the exemplary work and leadership skills of higher school officials from various school divisions and district offices. The awardees for this category Ruth L. Estacio, PhD, CESO VI (Sarangani), Dennis B. Masangcay, PhD (Tanauan City), Joel L. Pelenio, PhD (Cabadbaran City), Cynthia B. Tablang, EdD (Alaminos City), and Jordan D. Solatorio, PhD (Romblon).
Former Secretary Briones praised the Cabangon family’s program through Fortune Life for promoting the vital values of hard work and discipline, especially in a time when the world is obsessed with shortcuts. “I hope that you will continue this tradition that you will never let our learners forget that there is no better way to have a good life, a fulfilling life, than hard work, than honesty, than patience and fortitude instead of a shortcut, the easy way, the cheating and stealing,” Briones said.
Congressman Romulo commended this year’s awardees for rising above thousands of educators across the country to emerge as the best examples. To the Cabangon family, Romulo remarked, “maraming salamat sa binibigay ninyong parangal sa ating mga guro, mga superintendent.” He encouraged the awardees to continue inspiring their fellow educators.
Fortune Life President and CEO D. Arnold A. Cabangon expressed his “sincerest congratulations to this year’s Gintong Parangal awardees, for embodying the values of hard work and discipline as they strived to improve the quality of education in our country.” He emphasized the importance of the program to their family, as his mother is a former teacher herself.
“As we celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our awardees, let us not forget even for a flitting moment the man who started this all, Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua who at a young age took on the challenges of life through hard work and discipline”, MLB Executive Vice President Alberto B. Rosal noted, paying tribute to the Fortune Life founder.
In her written message, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said, “Fortune Life has long recognized the critical role educators play in building the next generation’s financial literacy and knowledge.” She added that, “It is fitting that we celebrate and promote individuals who have dedicated themselves to fostering our educators and instilling the virtues of hard work, discipline, and financial acumen through the Value of Hard Work and Discipline Program.”
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., congratulated the awardees in his written message: “Let the honor that you receive today reaffirm your purpose in our society and strengthen your resolve in reaching out to the next generation.” He added that “as this administration remains committed to improving our educational systems and policies, may the celebration of your work likewise spur more Filipinos to impart our most prized values and treasures to our children so that they will be empowered to build a more inclusive and more progressive Philippines for all.”