4 named most outstanding Betisenos (Sun.Star, Sunday, December 30, 2007)

4 named most outstanding Betisenos

By Ian Ocampo Flora

GUAGUA -- Four individuals who hail from the district area of Betis have recently been recognized in a ceremony here that highlighted their achievements in their respective fields.

The Betis Fiesta Committee, through the Circulo Betisenos, has awarded the Most Outstanding Betiseno Awards to four distinct individuals: Roberto Huang, Margarita Songco, Bishop Eduardo Guiao, and Bishop Pablo David.

The awards aim to give due honor to outstanding sons and daughters of Betis.

The Circulo Betisenos is a brotherhood that envisions a community that cares and concerns itself with the welfare and progress of its citizens, which taps and unleashes its potentials and strengths towards economic, social, and moral upliftment and geared towards maximum professional achievement.

The awardees were chosen based on stringent criteria.

The four were honored at the Saint James Parish of Betis Friday with award plaques ingeniously carved by master artisan wood carvers.

Florentino Torres, Fiesta Committee president, said the event showcases to the people of the area the best role models and inspirations that they could emulate.

One of the awardees, Roberto Huang was former president of Coca Cola Bottlers Inc. (2003) before his current stint as president of San Miguel Beverages, Inc. and general manager of domestic operations of the brewery. "Boy," as he is fondly called, hails from San Juan Bautista Betis here.

Another notable awardee is Bishop Edgardo Guiao who is founder and president of Jesus Revival Church, Philippines. He comes from San Juan Betis. He also founded St. John Academy of Guagua. He is the current president of the Christian Minister's Fellowship of Guagua and co-founder of Jesus Saves Christian School. He is recognized as the first ordained bishop of Christian Minister's fellowship in the Philippines.

Margarita Songco is Neda-NDO assistant director general for four years (since November 2001). She worked for the Neda Agriculture Staff, National Planning and Policy Staff, Social Development Staff and the Trade, Industry and Utilities Staff for most of her professional career. She was also Assistant Director General for Investment Programming of the NDO and the Director of the Trade, Industry and Utilities Staff of Neda and Neda deputy director-general. Songco hails from San Miguel Betis.

Probably one of the most prolific of the four is Bishop Pablo David, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of San Fernando. He has been distinguished for standing up for certain social and political issues in the province. Bishop Ambo was appointed as Titular Bishop of Guardialfiera in May 2006 and was ordained Titular Bishop of Guardialfiera in July 2006. He is brother to media personality Randy David.

Torres said the four are just the beginning of the roster of prominent sons of Betis. He added that the years to come would see more names added to the growing list.