PLANTING HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATION AT LA MESA NATURE RESERVE
In honor of Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua’s 88th Birth Anniversary, Fortune Life Insurance Company, Inc. (Fortune Life) planted 100 seedlings during its tree planting activity at La Mesa Nature Reserve, Quezon City on August 26, 2022. This activity is in cooperation with ABS-CBN Foundation in support of the Bantay Kalikasan: Save La Mesa Watershed Project. This is Fortune Life’s way of paying tribute to its founder as he was fond of planting trees and preserving nature. According to Fortune Life Special Assistant to the President for Social Media D. Cecilia A. Cabangon, “this activity brings us all together as a community as we are not just planting trees but we are also planting hope for the future.”
La Mesa Watershed is the only major watershed in Metro Manila where residents can get clean and safe water. Project Operations Head Sarah A. Agcaoili of Save the La Mesa Watershed Project believes that this partnership is not just a one-time activity and they hope to continue this corporate sustainability project in the future.
RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING TEACHERS THROUGH THE “GINTONG PARANGAL PARA SA EDUKASYON”
Fortune Life, in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Marylindbert International, recognized 13 outstanding teachers and DepEd leaders on the 11th year celebration of their Values Advocacy Program, “The Value of Hard Work and Discipline” on August 5, 2022 at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, DepEd Central Office, Pasig City. This is through the Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon award in honor of Fortune Life founder, the late Amb. Antonio L. Cabangon Chua. This award, which has two categories—Guro and Pamumuno, is bestowed upon deserving teachers and DepEd leaders with valuable contribution to the community who have shown their dedication in their projects and embraced the value of hard work and discipline in forming the right values of the young generation.
For more than a decade, Fortune Life has been conducting trainings and webinars promoting financial literacy among teachers and students. Fortune Life President and CEO D. Arnold A. Cabangon expressed his appreciation for the people who helped the Values Advocacy Program reach 9.9 million students and more than 64,000 teachers nationwide. Through the Big Book entitled “Ambassador Antonio L. Cabangon Chua: A 21st Century Hero,” President and CEO Cabangon hopes to inspire the youth with the life lessons from the childhood years of his father “na ang kahirapan ay hindi hadlang sa pag-abot ng inyong mga pangarap”.
The Gintong Parangal Para sa Edukasyon – Guro, now on its 10th year, is awarded to outstanding educators from Teacher 1 to Master Teacher. This year’s winners are Michelle D. Rubio (Sorsogon); James Earn A. Esperida (Camarines Sur); Marlon A. Marmol (Iriga City); Reynald Alfred A. Recede (Marikina City); and Suzette M. Caluyo (Dumaguete City). Guro-Honorable Mentions are Manuel P. Catalan (Pangasinan); Teresita M. Pariña (La Union); and Kent Lexinn Ian M. Cantal (Tabaco City).
The Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon – Pamumuno, which is now on its 5th year, recognizes the exceptional work and leadership skills of principals, superintendents, and regional directors. The winners for this year are Eduardo C. Escorpiso, Jr., EdD, CESO V (Batanes); Gregorio A. Legal (Masbate City); Jennifer E. Quinto, PhD (Bulacan); Maria Magdalena M. Lim, CESO V (Manila); and Zandro G. Sepe, M.S. (Zamboanga City).
EVP-COO Emma M. Abad congratulated all the Gintong Parangal winners and acknowledged their hardships brought about by the pandemic as she said, “Ang nagdaang pagsubok ay tunay na sumasalamin sa katapatan, kasipagan, tiyaga at disiplina ng bawat guro sa kanilang tungkulin sa ating mga mag-aaral. Kaya naman muli ay aking binabati ang lahat ng Gintong Parangal para sa Edukasyon Awardees, Guro at Pamumuno.”
Marylindbert International President and CEO Linda Legaspi added that, “Amb. Antonio Cabangon Chua’s strong sense of brilliance and greatness, discipline and determination, perseverance and hard work which he held close to his heart is clearly echoed in this year’s Gintong Parangal sa Guro awardees.”
The guest of honor, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, was represented by the Chief of Staff and DepEd Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, who expressed his utmost appreciation for Filipino educators, saying “Teachers inspire young people to be more and do more. Teachers have the power to change lives, views and aspirations. And as such, we should recognize their contributions to society.”
Fortune Life will continue to support DepEd with its new projects and future endeavors.