PROFILE OF AN ACHIEVER
BY ULYSSES V. ESPARTERO
Anita Carillo Gomez Rescate
Woman of Incomparable Strength
“The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system.”
-Robert C. Peale
Mrs. Anita G. Rescate was born on February 1, 1933 to spouses Jacinto Magdael Gomez and Consolacion Leyson Carillo. The youngest in a brood of five, her siblings are Corazon Gomez Roldan, Anastacio C. Gomez, Bonifacio C. Gomez and Rosa Gomez Tejada. His brother Anastacio served as Mayor of Numancia town for 20 years.
She finished BS Pharmacy at the University of Sto. Tomas in 1955 and passed the licensure exam the following year. In 1958, she then established the Farmacia Gomez at the Kalibo Shopping Center.
In 1960, she married Dr. Leovigildo Cortes Rescate, a rural health physician who was promoted as Assistant Chief of the Provincial Health Office. They were blessed with five children- Annie G. Rescate-Barbasa, Ledenita G. Rescate-Cedilla, Lenette G. Rescate-Fernandez, Jacinta G. Rescate and Joseph Jun G. Rescate.
However, in 1975, her husband passed away leaving her widowed at the age of 42. Mrs. Rescate stood up to the challenges – brought her children to school. Two of them – Annie and Jacinta followed her footsteps and are now registered pharmacists.
Annie who is married to businessman Jose Larry Barbasa now manages her own chain of pharmacies (Farmacia Rescate). Jacinta who also helps manages the pharmacies also co-owns a restaurant “Saylo” and a computer shop “Comset” in Boracay. Ledenita, a Medical Technologist who is married to US Navy Nestor Cedilla, is now an Associate Director of Gen. Probe, Inc., a company based in San Diego, California. Lenette, a graduate of Business Management and now owns and manages Kaizan and Meekia Boutique located at Kalibo Shopping Center is married to Lezo Mayor Victor Fernandez. Her youngest child and only son, Joseph is a businessman and married to a nurse Lenny B. Rovelo. They are now stationed in Boracay where they own G-Tech Inc. and run the other branches of Farmacia Gomez & Rescate (G & R).
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| Mrs. Rescate with family |
In 1972, a fire razed the old public market where Farmacia Gomez stood. There were occasional natural calamities but the 2008 storm Frank was the most devastating for it caused millions worth of damages to the pharmacy. Resilient, industrious and faithful as she is known, she continues to rise up to the challenges as her favorite saying goes, “God helps those who help themselves.”
Farmacia Gomez, a monumental feat, still exists as a symbol of her strength, struggle and achievements for the last five decades. Historically wise, it holds the distinction as the longest-operating drug retail pharmacy business in Aklan.
Today, the Rescate Group of Companies owes its existence to a dedicated and inspiring woman. The group is composed of Farmacia Gomez, Farmacia Rescate, G & R Pharmacy, Kaizan & Meekia Boutique, Comset Inc., G-Tech Inc. and a score of business pursuits. Now at the age of 78, Mrs. Rescate is a picture of a fulfilled business icon and a motherly figure to look up for inspiration.
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Mrs. Rescate (5th from left) receives the UNILAB Entrepreneur of Distinction Award from PPhA National President Leonila Ocampo (4th from left) in the presence of (from left) PPhA Vice President for Visayas Mabel U. Concepcion, DOH Licensing Chief Delia Tarrosa, PMA Governor Dr. Cynthia C. Dela Cruz, Marilyn R. Alvarez and Annie R. Barbasa. The award was signed by Mr. Ramoncito O. Sta. Maria, Vice President, Professional Relations Management Division of United Laboratories, Inc. Ocampo.
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In recognition of her achievements as a pillar and icon who is known for her exemplary leadership, distinguished career and esteemed standing in business, community service and pharmacy profession, a Testimonial Dinner was organized in her honor. Four awards were presented to Mrs. Rescate during the occasion – DSAP Distinguished Achiever in Business, UNILAB Entrepreneur of Distinction Award, PPhA Aklan Lifetime Achievement Award and DSAP Aklan Outstanding Business Leader Award.
Her demonstrable strong commitment and earnest efforts have propelled the Farmacia Gomez to the heights of success it being considered as the longest running business in Aklan with an unsurpassed record of 53 years in operation (1958-2011). Known to the pharmacists as “Mommy”, Mrs. Rescate is celebrating this year her 55th year in the practice of pharmacy profession (1956-2011).
According to PPhA National President Leonila Ocampo, Mrs. Rescate is worth emulating. “Mrs. Rescate’s recognition must be viewed by our fellow pharmacists not only as an inspiration but also as a challenge, a challenge of how we could one day be like her, recognized because we had contributed our share to the improvement of the pharmacy services, services that matters to the clients we serve,” she added.
Ocampo presented her the UNILAB award for loyalty and strict adherence to the company’s commitment to raise the standards in the pharmaceutical industry and in delivering the best value in health care for every Filipino family’s full enjoyment of life. She was also awarded for her 55 years of dedication in upholding “Bayanihan” - the tradition of working together and sharing the fruits of common endeavor which is the reason for UNILAB’s continued success.
