Twenty Outstanding FIlipinos Abroad Awardees 2010


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The Outstanding Filipinos Abroad

2010 Awardees

JORGE Z. ORTOLL - New York

Born and raised in Manila, Jorge is the fourth of five children of Jose
Antonio Ortoll of Barcelona and Concepcion Zaragoza of Manila. He
went to San Beda College from Grade I up thru High School.

He holds a B.A. degree in Economics and Accounting from Holy Cross
College (Worcester, Massachusetts) and an M.B.A. degree from
Columbia University. While a junior executive at Citibank in Manila, he
was bitten by the theatre bug and has not looked back.

As an actor, director and stage manager, he has worked with
National Asian American Theatre Company, La Mama ETC, Public
Theater, Manila Theatre Guild, Tanghalang Pilipino, Repertory
Philippines, and Terre de Scene in Liguge, France, among others.

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CARL ABELLA - Bethesda, Maryland

Living here in the USA, the land of opportunities where the hopeful,
ambitious ,zealous and visionaries made their dreams come true, took
me to new heights. As a Fil-am , my unfaltering persistence and
perseverance renumirated me to where I am now. It has given me
tools to build friendship, leadership skills and grow as a person.

Being a President-Owner of Alpha Travel Service, allows me to
showcase my native land, The Philippines, through different programs
of the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Tourism. The Ambassador’
s Tour, in which I am a part of, is very successful in showcasing what
the Philippines can offer to the world, especially to our balikbayans .
It also can demonstrate and substantiate Philippines as an
investment potential.

SOLITA MAGAHUM-WAKEFIELD - Washington D.C.

Solita Magahum-Wakefield is an enthusiastic advocate for Filipino
nationalism and an ardent fundraiser for the disadvantaged Filipinos
or "kababayans" in the Philippines. As president of the World Bank
Group IMF Filipino Staff Association (WBIFA) for the past three years
and now on her 4th term in office, together with her very involved
and vigilant set of Officers, continues to implement awareness of
cultural, social and economic situations in the Philippines by way of
informational events and local activities, as well as fund raise for
support and assistance to the Philippines, especially the victims of
calamities.

ROMUALDO A. ARAGON JR. - Las Vegas, Nevada

Romualdo Aragon Jr., MD, or Jun, to his family and colleagues, is a
modern renaissance man with broad intellectual interests and
accomplishments in the arts and sciences, as well as in humanitarian
services.

Jun was born in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines on July 6, 1957
and was raised by his parents, Rosa and Romualdo, Sr., who take
pride in their humble roots from a small rural town located in Northern
Luzon. Since childhood, his dream was to become a physician. For
high school, however, he was sent to the University of the Philippines
(UP) Rural High in Los Banos, Laguna to study agriculture like his two
maternal uncles. It was there where Jun discovered his passion for
the arts and began his involvement in creative literary writing,
specifically poetry and playwriting. Later he would also be involved in
the performing arts by acting in and directing stage plays. He
continued his involvement with the arts while pursuing Bachelor of
Science in Biology at UP Baguio from 1974 to 1978. He graduated at
the top of his class and won first place in a nationwide literary writing
contest sponsored by the Gawad Sagisag ng Panitikan in 1977. His
entry was one-act stage play entitled Monumento, a brilliant political
farce written in Filipino. Jun also became a member of the UP Writers
Club.

JESSE A. GATCHALIAN -Washington D.C.

A Pro-active and Service-oriented Community Leader
Co-Executive Director and Co-Founder of Migrant Heritage Commission

Also Ambassador for Peace- Virginia, USA.; A Kiwanis International
Awardee; A Master’s Degree Holder in Business Administration,
University of the Philippines; MHC’s mission and vision for Unity and
Service serves as his inspiring guideline in extending service to
‘kababayans” who are in need in a timely manner. He had undertaken
various civic and charitable activities in the Philippines and in the U.S.;
He is the Associate Editor of the Migrant Heritage Chronicle in
Metropolitan Washington D.C.; Represented Migrant Heritage
Commission as one of the invited Speakers in the Global Peace
Convention in the Philippines.

RENATO GOROSPE - Nassau, Bahamas

Sappy as it sounds, I believed Rene and I were meant for each other.
We were both in our tender age when our paths crossed. I was 15,
he was 17. My best friend, Nora introduced him to me over the phone
and for two years we were phone pals but have not met personally.
Then, after a while the calls between us became lesser and lesser.
One day, Rene called only to announce that Nora was battling a
cancer of the pancreas and that it was terminal. I went to see her
that was when I first met Rene. He was assisting Nora to sit to have
her routine injection to ease the pain. The cancer had metastasized.
At that moment I knew that Rene had what it took to be a good
doctor, he demonstrated a genuine sense of caring, gentleness and
kindness.

EVELYN BAGTAS-FERGUSON - Pfafftown, North Carolina

Originally from Capas, Tarlac-Philippines. Migrated to the United
States in 1978 and worked as a registered nurse in Cedartown,
Georgia where she met her husband Larry. Married for 30 years and
have 2 sons, Mike-29 and Brian-21..Presently resides in
Winston-Salem, NC since 1992.
Helping people comes natural to Evelyn whether it be helping her
patients get better, realizing homeownership thru her Real Estate
business and by giving back to her community thru volunteer work
and financial support.

FELIX A. AGRAAN - Waipahu, Hawaii

I was born on May 8, 1957, the third and youngest of three sons of
the late Ulpiano Agraan and Lourdes Agraan of Tamdagan, Vintar,
Ilocos Norte, Philippines. My father was a farmer and my mother was
a plain homemaker, a poor couple, who were deeply obsessed with
sending us to school all the way up to getting our college degrees.
My eldest brother, Porfirio Agraan, was a Geodetic Engineer but
passed away in 1992, and the middle brother, Alberto Agraan,
became a teacher who now lives with his family in Mindanao,
Philippines. I am married to the former Gliseria “Glacey” Agasid, a
Registered Nurse both in the Philippines and Hawaii. My wife is now
running her own care home business since 1997 after working at
Saint Francis Hospital, which is now known as the Hawaii Medical
Center, from 1986 to 1999. I came to Hawaii to join my wife in May
1989. We are blessed with two intelligent daughters, Regine Miracy
and Charisse. Regine Miracy died in 1999 at the age of 10 years old
while battling leukemia.

JUANITA PALTING-CACANINDIN - Virginia Beach, VA

Nita hailed from Northern Luzon, the eldest daughter of 4 children of
the late Sofia Mariano Ancheta from Solsona, Ilocos Norte, a
housewife, devoted Catholic, lay church minister, lead the church
Legion of Mary, married to the late Jose Gabriel Palting, from Laoag
City,retired USAFFE, established later a business in Home
Photography Studio. Nita finished high School from Holy Spirit,
graduate -nurse from Chinese General Hospital, BSN from Far
Eastern University May 1966, migrated to USA, June 1966 and worked
at Temple University Hospital until June 1967. Married Amadeo
Leopoldo Carreon Cacanindin, USN Retiree.and, live in VA Beach 42
years, still married to the same loving man for 43 years, both are
blessed with 2 daughters and 1 son. Marivic Cacanindin married to
Toru Adachi,residing in Hawaii, They have 1 daughter Tiffany Adachi,
22 , Boston College graduate,working in L.A., Richard Paul Cacanindin
married to Dr. Vivian Mapanao-Cacanindin,they have 1 child Zoe'
Cacanindin 4. Rosalie Cacanindin, CRNA,married to Louis W. Shepard
Jr. Senior Chief in the military. They have 3 children, Sofia Eloise , 3
Helena Rose 2 and Isabella Julliette Shepard 1 month old.

R. EDNA CONSING CONCEPCION - San Diego, California

R. Edna Consing Concepcion is an April Aries born in 1953. Aries are
said to be optimistic, spontaneous and fun loving, possess a
pioneering spirit, are risk takers, natural leaders and organizers. They
are loyal friends but fierce enemies, generous with their talent and
time, and have a great sense of humor. These just about sum up
who Edna Consing Concepcion is.

The “R. ” in Edna’s name stands for Rafaelita, the female
counterpart of Rafael.   She was named after her father, the late
Rafael Soriano Consing Sr. of Molo, Iloilo. Edna inherited her business
savvy and pioneering drive from her father who was the consummate
entrepreneur. Rafael Consing Sr. brought electricity, the telephone
system, and the telegraph system to Butuan, Cabadbaran, San
Carlos, and other towns and municipalities in Visayas and Mindanao
from the early 20’s to the 1950’s. He established ice plants in these
areas and owned a thriving shipping line and several sawmills under
Butuan Sawmils, Inc. which he founded in 1920.   Although most of
Rafael Consing’s businesses were in the southern Philippines, he had
his headquarters in Manila where he raised his family.

DINO DOLIENTE III - Owing Mills, Maryland

Born and raised in Umingan, Pangasinan, Philippines, Dino is the
youngest of six children. His father, Rodolfo Doliente Sr., passed away
when Dino was just six months old so his mother, Leonora Mendoza,
raised her children by herself. Dino learned many life lessons by
watching the way his mother persevered through difficult times.
After graduating from Immaculate Conception High School as
valedictorian, Dino earned his bachelors degree in Nursing from Saint
Louis University in Baguio City, Philippines. He arrived in the United
States in 1995, eventually earning a master’s degree in Business
Administration from the University of Phoenix in Maryland.

NORMA FLORES-VOHRA - Quebec, Canada

Norma Flores Vohra, a retired nurse from Montreal , Canada , received
the first Mireile Ducrois award from Maimondes hospital for nursing
excellence. In addition, she is well acclaimed and recognized for
organizing local and international beauty pageants where she has
served as an organizer, mentor, consultant and judge. She has been
the organizer, consultant and advisor of Miss Earth Canada since its
inception in Montreal, in 2004. She co- founded the first Miss Global
beauty Pageant in Montreal which attracted world wide candidates in
1997. From 1999 to 2002, she was the Regional Director of Canadian
search for Miss Universe; she was part of the Canadian contingent
that went to San Juan, Puerto Rico during its 50th anniversary in May
11, 2011.

J ONI B. REDICK-YUNDT - Mililani, Hawaii

Joni B. Redick-Yundt is a true American success story. She grew up in
the Philippines in an impoverished town with no running water or
electricity. At age 14, Joni began her climb to fame upon arriving in
Hawaii in 1974. Today's she is a prominent and highly respected
businesswoman and community leader.

Joni's demonstrated abilities to put her positive attitude into
consistent practice have created positive energy, enthusiasm,
confidence, discipline, a solid work ethic and most importantly enabled
her to make "lemonade from lemons".

L ITO R. ALCANTRA - Hawaii, U.S.A.

For every journey, there is a beginning and the route leads the
traveler to his destination: to lead or be led by the circumstances
shaping the past, present and future. Currently the President and
Owner of Group Builders, Inc., Anacleto “Lito” R. Alcantra is married to
Carmelita Alcantra and they have 4 children: Anacleto, Jr., Maribel,
Anamelita and Jeaneth.

GE ORGE SAMSON, Sterling Heights, Michigan

GOD is so good all the time for giving me the opportunity to serve
others especially the Sick, Poor.
I came to the United States as a missionary to help the victims of the
volcano in the Philippines in 1991.
I was a volunteer for World medical Relief for more than a year,
working 40 hrs/week without compensation.

ANTONIO V. RAMIL - Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii

Most of those who know him call him "Tony". To him
life is an infinite web of relationships embracing and
interconnecting family, community and all people, thoughts, feelings,
actions, events, the past, the present, the future, the environment
and all creation, and above all the divine.

A graduate of the University of the Philippines, Tony was a cadet
lieutenant colonel in the U.P. ROTC Cadet Corps,
elected to and served as councilor-at-large in the U.P.
Student Council, and was an associate editor of the
Philippine Collegian, the weekly student newspaper. A member of
Class 1965 of the U.P. College of Law, he was inducted life-member
of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Gamma Mu, international honor societies. He
was one of the ten topnotchers, placing ninth, among the successful
bar examinees in the Philippines in 1965.

NIDA M. CORTEZ - Elmhurst, New York

Born in Pozorrubio, and grew up in Mangaldan, Pangasinan 70 years
ago belonged to a poor and large family, Nida struggled to get a
college education finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree from the
University of Pangasinan, Bachelor of Education from Rizal Memorial
Colleges, Davao City and MS in Special Education and General
Education from Touro College, NYC. Prior to coming to United States
in 1987 she was a classroom teacher for twenty years and five years
as a department head at Tagaytay City High School, where she
retired. As an educator she was promoted as the first Master Teacher
I in Pangasinan, awarded as an Outstanding Teacher in the Division
of Cavite and Top Ten School Adviser in the National Press
Conferences in Iloilo, Mindoro, Cavite and Metro Manila. She was
chosen by the USA Department of State as the representative of the
Ministry of Education and Culture in the Multinational Institute at the
New York University, a program of the USIA.

PABLITO ALARCON - Leesburg, Virginia

After graduation from college in 1961, Pablito worked as a
Commissioned Officer in the Philippine Coast and Geodetic Survey. His
job includes surveying, navigating a survey ship through out the
Philippines and supervision of about 60 enlisted men. He resigned
from the Philippines Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1969 with a rank of
Lieut. Junior Grade and immigrated to the United States.

He worked as a Professional Engineer with the DC Department of
Public Works, Water and Sewer Utility Administration, since 1969 and
retired in 1991, after 22 years in service. His job responsibilities
include the design and analysis of the water and sewer system in the
District of Columbia. And he supervised the construction of different
waste water treatment facilities.

E DGARDO D. PAMINTUAN - Angeles City, Philippines

In an era of people-centered development and multi-tasking
governance, Edgardo D. Pamintuan has always stood out as a primus
inter pares, the first among equals, having fulfilled the many
responsibilities the Chief Executive had assigned to him in the course
of his stint as a public servant in the national arena.

Edgardo Dizon Pamintuan―simply Ed to family, colleagues and friends
― was born on February 23, 1949 in Angeles City, and raised up in a
conservative middle class environment. A self-confessed average
student, he nonetheless delved deep into books and anything else
he could read, filling his minds with notions that later would serve as
seeds of idealism.

L INDA MAYO - Jersey City, New Jersey
Linda Mayo is the founder and Executive Director of Pan American
Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c3)
organization serving the health and human service needs of the
Filipinos and other Asians in Hudson County.

Ms. Mayo has 23 years of experience in grassroots community
organizing. In 1986, she organized the International Montgomery
Gateway West Neighborhood Association (IMGWA) consisting of a
majority of Filipinos, Asian Indians, Pakistanis, Koreans, Chinese and
for added measure some Irish, Italians, African Americans and
Hispanics. This new community development in downtown Jersey City
at that time was being plagued by robberies, house break-ins and
muggings. After Ms. Mayo organized the community, it soon became
one of the safest neighborhoods in Jersey City as evidenced by Police
records. She then moved to become the president of the Downtown
Coalition of Neighborhood Associations which consisted of Van Vorst
Park, Harsimus Cove, Hamilton Park, Paulus Hook and IMGWA which
actively advocated for various issues affecting the neighborhood.