80 YEAR OLD CONNIE S. VALERA RECEIVES 2009 MOTHER OF THE YEAR AWARD
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Metro Washington D.C. : Sunflower Development Center U.S.A. , a non-profit organization, made a comeback
event by honoring mothers at the Sunflower Festival cum Business Exposition at the Wyndham Garden hotel
in Maryland. The event which commenced with a holy mass celebrated by Fr. Andy Gonzalo with the El
Shaddai Charismatic Catholic Choir of St.Stephen in Washington D.C. made the occasion extra special with
the active participation of various young Fil-Am beauties and presentation of special recognition to mothers.
The awarding was done by the Sunflower Dev.President, Lucy Pascual Mallam with the assistance of
Philippine Embassy’s Consul Enrico Fos and his wife Maila and PAFAI President Carl Abella.
Awardees were BIMAK’s Liza Sagudan who was the 2009 Mother-to-be of the Year Awardee. She is
scheduled to give birth this month of June. Rina Viqueira of the FilCom St. Rose of Lima was given the New
Mother of the Year who had just delivered her healthy baby a week prior to the event. The 2009 MOTHER OF
THE YEAR award was given to 80 year old Concepcion “Connie” Valera, who was caught by surprise when
she was being summoned to the front to receive her award. Apparently, she had no idea at all that she was
one of the main honorees selected by the SUNFLOWER Dev.Center U.S.A. until she saw her photos being
flashed on screen during the powerpoint presentation. Mother Connie Valera, a former fashion model &
school teacher, was recognized for her accomplishments as a devoted mother and a wife to the late
lawyer/politician Elpidio, amidst her hectic schedule having raised 5 successful children: Doctor Rodelo,
lawyer Arnedo, businessman Samuel, former diplomat Grace and IT supervisor Nestor, who passed away
in 2004. Two of Mrs. Valera’s children are TOFA Awardees. One is lawyer Arnedo who was a TOFA awardee
in 2006. The other is former diplomat Grace who will be awarded as one of the Twenty Outstanding Filipinos
in America (TOFA) on August 29,2009 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington D.C.
H.E. Ambassador and Madam Willy Gaa also sent their congratulatory letter to Mama Connie on this special
recognition.
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