Dean Maricon Y. Boie



Dean Maricon Y. Boie
Model Pharmacist and Educator

Chief Engr. Reynaldo L. dela Cruz

Chief Engr. Reynaldo L. dela Cruz
written by Ulysses Espartero
published in Panay News, 2011


"No literature is richer than that of the sea. No story is more enthralling, no tradition is more secure." -Felix Riesenberg
Chief Engineer Rey Las Piñas dela Cruz, 54, is one professional who deserves recognition. Despite his achievements as a competent seaman, he still possesses a deep sense of humility.


A PASSIONATE BELIEVER OF EDUCATIONEarly in life, he has impressed upon his mind that the best job goes to the person who can get it done without passing the buck or coming back with excuses. He graduated from Kalibo Pilot Elementary School in 1970. In 1974, he earned his secondary education from the Roxas Memorial School of Arts and Trades (RMSAT) now Aklan State University College of Industrial Technology (ASU-CIT). Armed with a dream of travelling around the world, he earned his Associate in Marine Engineering from Feati University in 1979.

He wanted freedom, open air and adventure. He found it on the sea. For the last three decades, he has traveled around the world but has remained humble believing that the true peace of God begins at any point 1,000 miles from the nearest land. All through the years, he discovered, "they that go down to the sea in ships; and occupy their business in great waters; these men see the works of the Lord; and His wonders in the deep."

A COMPETENT WORLD SAILOR

It was said that successful men aren't born but they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price a man has to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal. In 1984, he passed the Examination for Marine Engineer given by the Board for Engine Officers of the Professional Regulation Commission. In 2006, he passed the examination as Chief Engineer Officer given by the PRC’s Board of Marine Engineer Officers.

He’s presently connected with Vega Manila Philippines, a subsidiary of a multi-national corporation based in Hamburg, Germany. And as always, he reminds himself that men, who cannot enter into the mind of the sea, cannot for the same reason enter into the mind of ships. 

ACHIEVER

Right from the start of his fruitful career as a seafarer, Engr. dela Cruz told himself that he must utilize his hard-earned money to improve his family. In 1993, he founded and served as Chairman of the Board of Christian Medical Clinic (CMC) based in Metro Manila. Sacrifices were made. His wife gave up her ten-year teaching post in a public school thinking that they will both shine in business. They were never wrong.

Not all flourishing clinics in the country deserves an international recognition but with Engr. dela Cruz’s steadfastness and devotedness to excellence, the Christian Medical Clinic which he founded in 1993 is now certified to ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System. 

In 2002, after many years of managing booming business in Manila, Engr. Dela Cruz and his wife decided to put up their own business in Aklan. They ventured into another business as a proprietor of Holy Father & Medical Diagnostics based in the Ati-Atihan Town of Kalibo, Aklan. In 2007, they launched the Holy Father Pharmacy also in the capital town of Aklan.

He established the Green Hut Resort in New Washington, Aklan as an alternative choice for guests and tourists.The couple also was able to operate a fish pond in New Washington.

A MODEL FAMILY MAN

Engr. Dela Cruz was born on May 27, 1956 in Kalibo, Aklan to spouses Celso dela Cruz and Maria Las Piñas dela Cruz. He is happily married to Tita C. dela Cruz, a hardworking teacher and businesswoman and who now serves as President of Christian Medical Clinic. As a deeply religious woman, she was President of Mt. Carmel Catholic Association in New Manila.

They have three children, namely: Princess, Donald and Christian. Princess, a holder of Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Centro Escolar University is married to Jonathan Pangilinan and are both registered pharmacists. Donald is a Business Management graduate from Dela Salle University and married to Catherine Centillo dela Cruz, a registered nurse. 

GIVING BACK

Grateful for having a happy family and successful business ventures, the dela Cruz couple believes they must never forget their home province. Social responsibility has become a part of their business pursuits not by force but as a matter of looking back to their humble beginnings when they both struggled to earn a living.

The journey is still long for Engr. Reynaldo L. dela Cruz who believes every day is a gift and opportunity to work and serve. 

As John Masefields said,

“I must go down to the sea again
For the call of the running tide
It’s a wild call and a clear call
that may not be denied.”•

Tita C. De La Cruz

A Woman of Value
written by Ulysses Espartero
published in Panay News, 2009


If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day. – Alex Noble


Seldom can you find a woman who despite her achievements in life, remains quiet and down to earth. The story of Tita C. dela Cruz is a story of a woman of value.

Tita was born on November 25, 1951 in Banga, Aklan to spouses Felipe Dela Cruz and Davidica Ibit Dela Cruz. She is married to Chief Engr. Reynaldo Dela Cruz with successful children.

She earned her elementary education at Banga Elementary School Banga, Aklan (1958-1964) and her high s
chool at the now Aklan State University (1964-1967). She holds a degree in
Bachelor of Science in Education from the Northwestern Visayan Colleges where she graduated in 1970.

After successfully hurdling t
he Licensure Examination for Teachers in 1972, she was admitted as
Public School Teacher of Zamora Elementary School in Manila where she served from 1972 to 1983. She resigned from her teaching post in 1983 to establish her own business.

She knew very well then that a person who wishes to secure the good of others, has already secured his own. She served as Vice President of Zeal Maritime Corporation from 1983 to 1985. This company provided employment to hundreds of Filipinos and Aklanons.

She presently serves as President of the Christian Medical Clinic, a position she holds since 1983. Her management and expertise has propelled the Manila-based clinic to the heights of success. For one, it is the clinic of choice of Shoe Mart (SM) for 17 years now, Mc Donald (15 years now), ABS-CBN (5 years), Max Restaurant, and 90 other top corporations and companies of the country.

CMC has been designated as clinic of choice for neuro and other medical check-ups of applicants for employment of Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Overseas Contract Workers (OCWs), multi-national shipping companies and many others.

In 2002, after many years of managing successful business in Manila, she went home and ventured into another business as a proprietor of Holy Father & Medical Diagnostics based in Kalibo, Aklan. In 2007, she also started the Holy Father Pharmacy also in the capital town of Aklan. She founded the Green Hut Resort in New Washington, Aklan as an alternative choice for guests and tourists. The resort has hosted seminars and events thus promoting Aklan as a tourism paradise.

She also was able to operate a fish pond in New Washington. This project involves a multi-million investment in the seafood capital town of Aklan which not only provides employment to Aklanons but more so in ensuring the availability of aquaculture products in the province.

As a deeply religious woman, she was President of Mt. Carmel Catholic Association in New Manila. She believes that giving frees people from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.

It’s not surprising that her significant contribution and community services are beyond reproach. She has donated Php6 Million worth of 3,000 vials of vaccines for anti pneumonia, which were distributed to hospitals in the province of Aklan. She played a gracious host to hundreds of investors, guests and top officials of the provincial and local governments in the Province of Aklan, a testimony to how she cares for the development of her province of birth.

She also sponsored countless promotional campaigns, events and projects for a cause. Last year, she hosted a luncheon press conference for Matt Monroe, Jr. whose concert tour will benefit the STAC in Kalibo, Aklan.

She is also a tireless organizer of countless medical missions and free clinics in far-flung areas all throughout the country for more than two decades now and benefactor of medical missions in Aklan for more than 20 years now.

She also hosted the police forces which extended assistance and responded to emergencies in Boracay Island, the country’s premier tourist destination. Through her companies, she provides assistance to hundreds of Aklanons for employment in Manila.

The journey is still long for Mrs. Tita dela Cruz who believes that those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.




Atty. Ervie S. Taytayon



Admirable Lawyerwritten by Ulysses Espartero
published in Panay News, 2009

“The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure. You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.” Atty. Ervie Sarabia Taytayon believes that one has to work very hard to prove that he is capable of being respected.

As an Associate at a first-rate Salazar, Marin, Sodusta and Associates Law Office in the capital town of Kalibo since February 2008, he has been of great service to the people of Aklan who seeks his legal advises.

He is also an Instructor of Law at the Aklan Catholic College. He also teaches subjects the College of Business Administration and College of Criminology.

Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try. He first worked at Neo International Language Center in Iloilo City then he transferred to HANFIL Language and TOEIC Center as a member of the faculty and English Tutor from November 2003 to February 2005. In 2006, he was a Management Trainee at Mang Inasal in SM City of Iloilo. In 2007, he was Sales Consultant of Philippine Prime Meat Marketing Corporation/Monterey Foods Corporation.

He earned his elementary education at Kalibo Pilot Elementary School in 1992 and his secondary education at Roxas Memorial College of Arts and Trades in 1996. His finished a degree in Bachelor of Science in Management at the University of the Philippines in 2001. In 2006, he graduated in his degree in Bachelor of Laws at the University of Iloilo. In the same year, he passed the bar examinations.

Currently, he is the Chapter Secretary of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Aklan Chapter and member of the University of the Philippines Hamili-Hamilia Foundation, Inc.
He was born on December 6, 1979.His father, the late Eriberto De Juan Taytayon, Jr. was a retired Deputy Sheriff of Regional Trial Court Branch 6 in Kalibo, Aklan. His mother is Virgie Masigon Sarabia-Taytayon, a retired chairperson of the Technology, Architecture andEngineering at the Aklan State University-College of Industrial Technology.

The eldest in the brood of four, his siblings are Cherie S. Taytayon, Certified Public Accountant; Regie S. Taytayon, Registered Chemist and Software Engineer; and Junvie S. Taytayon, Regional Sales Staff, Insular Life,Iloilo City.

Atty. Ervie is happily married to Josephine Tabanao Taytayon who works as a Mediation Staff at the Aklan Mediation Unit of the Regional Trial Court in Kalibo, Aklan.




Chita Heap


Another David
Facing Goliath

written by Ulysses Espartero
published in Panay News


“It is wonderful to believe in God, but this is no substitute for experiencing God in person.”

The desire to serve her people and correct those things that are wrong with our society has set this woman to the path of journalism. It is a a consequence of this motivation that she recently filed a case in the office of the Ombudsman against a top public official whom she called one of her “frustrations,” which case is currently ongoing.

Heap, 59, was once tagged by Panay News as a “lady of modesty and tenderness.” Colleagues call her “Fighter of the Year.”


Usec Edsel Custodio


PROFILE OF AN ACHIEVER
by Ulysses V. Espartero









Usec Edsel T. Custodio




An Aklanon now holds a top position in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Undersecretary Edsel T. Custodio is presently the Undersecretary for International Economic Relations of DFA. Concurrently, he is Philippine Senior Official (SOM) Chair to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).


He’s in the active roster of the part-time consultant/cum expert on trade promotion and development, on trade policy, on ICT issues in the International Trade Center, UNCTAD, and the WTO Geneva

In 1964, he joined the Career Foreign Trade Service Corps (FTSC) in the Department of Trade and Industry. He was assigned as Attaché to Malaysia, Singapore, France and Trade Commissioner to the Europe and Chinese Taipei. In the course of 35 years work in the DTI, he handled extensive responsibility in trade promotion, SMEs development, regional economic cooperation in (ASEAN, APEC, ASEM) as well as other capacity building and institutional development responsibilities.

In 1967, he joined the Regional Export Promotion Training Program to Senior Trade Promotion Officials, ITC in Geneva. In 1972, he was named Director, a post he held until 1974, of RP-UNDP Export Promotion Project in the Philippines which conceptualized and institutionalized the export development and strategy programs of the Philippines in the years to come.

In 1992, he was appointed Acting Director of the Bureau of International Trade Relations of the Department of Trade and Industry.

In 1996, he was posted to the Executive Committee, Philippines Hosting of APEC Heads of Government and Ministerial Meeting Philippines.For seven years (1992-1999), he chaired the APEC Committee for Trade and Investments and the ASEAN Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM). In March 2000, he was named Chairman of the WTC Committee on Regional Trade Agreements.

From August 1999 to July 2003, he served as Ambassador and Alternate Permanent Representative to the WTO-Geneva, Department of Foreign Affairs. Finally in July 2003, he was appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO-Geneva.

Undersecretary Custodio has served the government for 45 years now.

He took up undergraduate and graduate courses from the University of the Philippines in economic, political science and business administrationfor the peiod 1954-1967. He was born on June 23, 1938 in Makato, Aklan. He is married to Edita B. Custodio, with three adult, and independent children.

Dr. Beatriz T. Yasa-Diel

 
Compassionate Doctor
written by Ulysses Espartero
published in Panay News



“The best doctors in the world are Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet and Doctor Merryman.” - Jonathan Swift


According to Mother Theresa, we can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more dying for a little love.
This woman is a registered nurse, Doctor of Medicine and a reservist of the Philippine Army.


 Born on February 26, 1967 to spouses Rodolfo I. Yasa and Lolita Ta-ay in Aklan’s capital town of Kalibo, Dr. Beatrice T. Yasa-Diel rose to become one of the successful medical practitioners in the province.

Among her many awards, she has been awarded with a Plaque of Recognition as First prize Winner in the Philippine Medical Association’s search for Most Outstanding Component Secretary in Category V. The award was in recognition of her exemplary performance as Secretary of the Aklan Medical Society for 2007-2008 contributing thereby to the society’s winning the PMA’s most coveted award – the Icasiano Award for Most Outstanding Component Society, Category V, 1stPrize, 2007-2008. The award was given on May 24, 2008 during the 101st PMA National Annual Convention held at Manila Hotel, Manila.

She was also awarded another Plaque of Recognition as the Philippine Medical Association’s Most Outstanding Component Secretary, Category V, 1st Prize, 2008-2009 on May 22, 2009 during the 102nd PMA National Annual Convention held at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City for her exemplary performance as Secretary of the Aklan Medical Society for 2008-2009 contributing thereby to the society’s winning the PMA’s most coveted award – the Icasiano Award for Most Outstanding Component Society, Category V, 1st Prize, 2007-2008.
She is also one of the 18 Officers, EP, & Reservists who were given the Award of Military Merit Medal on October 28, 2008 for meritorious and valuable services rendered during the conduct of humanitarian mission and public affairs activities in Brgy. Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan on 04 October 2008, imbued with deep sense of responsibility, dedication to duty and professional competence complied their noble commitment to serve out less fortunate citizens who were victims of “Typhoon Frank”.

The group is highly instrumental in delivering free medical consultations, treatments, medicines, dental care and other related health services that benefited a total of Three Thousand Three Hundred Seventy Seven ( 3,377 ) recipients. They vigorously pursued their charitable deeds by providing humanitarian assistance to the indigents which resulted in winning the sympathy and trust of the populace that leads to the accomplishment of the AFPRESCOM mission. By these achievements, these officers, EP and Reservists earned distinct honor and credit not only to themselves and the Command but also to the whole AFP.

But success did not happen overnight. Diel, 42, was transferred from one school to another. In her primary years, she was First Honors (Grade I) at Cajilo Elementary School in Makato and also First Honors (Grade 2) when she was transferred to Pedro Guevarra Elementary School in Manila. She graduated Valedictorian at Makato Elementary School in 1980. For her secondary education, she graduated with Honors wt Iloilo National High School in Iloilo City’s Lapaz District in 1984. She then pursued a degree in B.S. in Biological Science (1988) and Doctor of Medicine (1994) at the Western Visayas State University. She passed the medical board in the same year.

She also earned a degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the St. Gabriel College in Kalibo, Aklan in 2005 and passed the Nursing Board Exam in 2006.
After her post-graduate Internship Training at Western Visayas Medical Center (1994-1995), she worked as a Resident Physician at Ma. Santisima Dela Paz Hospital, a private hospital in Marilao, Bulacan for the period March 1996-October 1998.

She was also a part-time physician at Southeast Medical Clinic & Diagnostic Center, Medpro Health Systems, JAP Medical Clinic and Paliparan III Polyclinic.She also worked as Physician Reliever at PhilamCare Clinic, PhilAmCare Clinic Health Systems.
Back to her home province, she worked as In-House Physician at Caritas Health Shield, Inc. Medical Clinic, Caritas Health Shield, Inc.- Kalibo. In May 2007, she was named Medical Officer of Ramon B. Legaspi, Sr. Memorial Hospital in Makato town.

She is an Accredited Health Care Professional of the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. From 1996 to 2002, she was an Accredited Medical Examiner ofSunlife Assurance Company of Canada, Berkley International Life Insurance Co., Inc., PruLife Insurance Corporation of UK, All State Life Insurance Co. of the Philippines, The Prumerica Life Insurance Co., Inc., Zurich of the Philippines Insurance Company and Generali Pilipinas Insurance Company.

As a Certified Family Physician who specializes in the field of Family Medicine, Dr. Diel underwent three years of training thru the CME Pathway.

She has been an active member of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) since 1996 and Philippine Academy of Family Physicians since 1998. She hadmembership in PMA accredited component societies like Bulacan Medical Society (1996-2000), Caloocan City Medical Society (2000-2003) and Aklan Medical Society (2003-present). She also serves as Secretary of Aklan Medical Society (2007-present), Assistant Secretary of Aklan Provincial Health Board (2007-present), Treasurer of Kool Earth (2007-2008), and Secretary of Kool Earth (2008-present).

published in Panay News

Dr. Felma Reloj Dela Cruz


PROFILE OF AN ACHIEVER
by Ulysses V. Espartero


Dr. Felma Reloj Dela Cruz
Outstanding Physician
and Community Leader 

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” Dr. Felma Reloj Dela Cruz believes so. As a family physician, community volunteer and professional leader, she has been recognized for her noteworthy achievements in promoting healthy communities in her home province.

Born on January 29, 1950 in Polo, Banga, Aklan, she’s the second child of Mansuteo Reloj and the late Felicitacion Yecla. She was married to the late Camilo Dela Cruz with five children.

She studied at Polo Elementary School in Banga, Aklan and graduated Salutatorian in 1961. She finished her secondary education at the Northwestern Visayan Colleges in 1961 as Class Salutatorian. She took pre-medicine from 1965 to 1969 at the University of the East and earned her B.S, in Biological Science also from UE in 1970. She took medicine at the UE Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center from 1970 to 1974.

For her postgraduate training, she took post graduate internship at the V. Luna Medical Center for one year in 1975 and in-service training in pediatrics at the Department of Health for six months.

FAMILY PHYSICIAN

She passed the medical board examination in 1975. Ten years after, she passed the Medical Specialty Board in Pediatrics given by the DOH. In 1998, she passed the Diplomate Exam in Family Medicine given by the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP).

After hurdling the medical board, she served as Resident Physician at the Galang Medical Center from 1975 to 1976. Then she went home to Aklan in 1976 and served as Junior Resident to Medical Specialist II at the Aklan Provincial Hospital from 1976 to 1983.

In1983, she started her private practice and established the Reloj Medical Clinic in Aklan’s capital town of Kalibo. She extends her expertise to other hospital facilities in Aklan as a Visiting Family Physician specifically at St. Jude Hospital, St. Gabriel Hospital, Dr. Rafael S. Tumbokon Memorial Hospital and Aklan Mission Hospital.

DEDICATED LEADER

Her membership in professional, civic and religious organizations afford her the opportunity of serving the communities with great pride and commitment to the welfare of the less-privileged and the marginalized sectors of the society.

She is a Life Member of the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Fellow-Life of PAFP and member of the Philippine Society of Hypertension. In 2002, she was elected President of Aklan Medical Society, a component society of PMA. She served for three terms – from 2000 to 2002 and 2008 to 2009. Prior to her election as AMS president, she served the society as member of the Board of Directors for five terms (1992-1996) and Vice President for two terms (1997-1999). She has also served as President of PAPF Aklan Chapter for two terms (1997-1999) and member since 1992.

In her home province of Aklan, she is member of the Board of Directors of Kool Earth. She also holds membership in Aklan Tuberculosis Council, Pediatric Practicing Doctors of Aklan, Soroptimist International of Kalibo, Kalantiao Toastmasters Club and Catholic Women’s League. She also founded the Polo Elementary School Alumni Association in her hometown Banga.

Among her major awards, she was conferred the PMA’s Most Outstanding Physician Award (2007-2008) and Outstanding Leadership Award (2008-2009). Through her leadership of the AMS, the society was conferred the Most Outstanding Component Society in Category V by PMA.

Dr. Felma has impressed upon her mind that she can conceived it and her heart can believe it so she knew she can achieve it. Of her business interests, Dr. Felma is a hard working owner of Mia’s Drugstore, Farmacia Reloj and Reloj Medical Clinic which has been serving the health and medical needs of the people of Aklan for many years now.

SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

It was said that confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong. As an advocate of healthy communities, she has tried various programs and projects and she was successful. She hosts regular Health Education Program over Radio Bombo every Sunday for several years & other Radio stations upon invitation. She is co- host at Kalibo Cable TVs “Hambae ni Doc “every Saturday with Dr. Emette Custodio from 2005 to 2006.

She has been a regular volunteer in free clinics conducted by the Aklan Medical Society with other Paramedical and civic organizations and health education lecturer in outreach activities. She coordinated with Natrapharm Philippines in providing jetmatic pumps and toilet facilities in selected barangays in Kalibo devastated by Typhoon Frank.

Her participation in the tree planting activities and social visits to the provincial jail as member of civic and religious organizations has been recognized many times.

She played a gracious coordinator of the feeding programs in Polo Elementary School and Lapnag Elementary School funded by alumni all over the world thru email. In behalf of the Aklan Medical Society, she solicited funds for the project “Dugo Mo Buhay Ko” to help the local chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross among members of AMS based abroad and relatives and friends while on tour in USA and Canada.

She coordinated with her other siblings to send their deserving niece to medical school, who graduated already and plan to do the same to other deserving members of the family Dr. Felma, now 59 years old, attributes her success to one single belief that true leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leaders.