The legacy lives on
If there is one man whose legacy is embraced wholeheartedly by tens of thousands of students and educators, it is none other than Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua. His advocacy for “hard work and discipline” is something he actually lived by.
Another milestone was achieved by Fortune Life Insurance Company, my palanggas, as it continues the legacy of its founder, whom everyone fondly calls “Amba.”
In partnership with the Department of Education and advocacy trailblazer Marylindbert International, Fortune Life Insurance spearheaded the eighth anniversary celebration of the advocacy by highlighting the life-changing story of Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua, who embodied determination and discipline, helping him to rise from poverty to become a business magnate.
Ambassador Antonio Cabangon Chua Gintong Parangal Awardees: (Back row) Dr. Joel Lopez, Hadja Sarah Handang, Dr. Orlando Manuel, (front row) Darwin Tadifa, Dominic Ocampo, Dr. Cecilia Valderama, Dr. Rene Rose Labasan
The vivaciously smart Linda Legaspi, MaryLindbert president and CEO, warmly welcomed everyone.
“The celebration is a happy occasion to recognize the awardees —Hadja Sarah Handang, Dr. Rene Rose Labasan, Dominic Ocampo, Darwin Tadifa and Cesar Valondo of the Amb. Antonio Cabangon Chua Gintong Parangal Para Sa Edukasyon-Guro; special awardees Jerry Cruz, Ednalyn Fajardo and Jinabelle Prieto; as well as the awardees of the second year for Pamumuno for excellence in leadership in education namely, Dr. Denizon Domingo, Dr. Evangeline Ladines, Dr. Joel Lopez, Dr. Orlando Manuel and Dr. Cecilia Valderama.
Fortune Life Insurance president Arnold Cabangon shared that the program has reached close to 10 million students from 2,390 schools and has given close to 200,000 interactive lessons and teaching materials to students and teachers. Amen to that, dahlings!
Awardees Ednalyn Fajardo, Dr. Denizon Domingo, Jerry Cruz; (front row) Dr. Evangeline Ladines, Jinabelle Fajardo, Cesar Valondo
Education Secretary Leonor M. Briones keynoted the event by extending her gratitude to Fortune Life Insurance “in recognizing the efforts of DepEd teachers and school officials, including the importance of an alternative learning system to students with no means to pursue formal education.”
The celebration continued with live entertainment and a delicious Pinoy feast prepared by the doyenne of Filipino cuisine, Glenda Barretto of Via Mare. Bravo!
Ian Giron’s works at the
‘Designers' Holiday Bazaar’
Port Tonic Art Center founder and art adviser Michele Codoni, socialite Lady Monika Bacardi, Filipino designer Ian Giron
The Port Tonic Art Center is a unique contemporary art center and artist residency at the Golfe of Saint Tropez, the playground of the rich and famous, located at Les Issambres, a former shipyard. I was told that Port Tonic Art Center aims to promote artistic creation, to expand art knowledge and support the creation of spaces for artists. “Art Tonic is the retrospective expo organized every summer to present all the projects of the artists in residency,” explained Filipino designer Ian Giron, palanggas.
Embroidered clutch bag by Ian Giron
The Boite aux Tresors by Port Tonic Art Center exhibitors included designer Ian Giron, artist Jigger Cruz, the Muzungu sisters Tatiana Santo Domingo-Casiraghi and Dana Alikhani, artists Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Federico Tosi, Alexis Minkiewicz, Rita Fischer and accessories designer Eli Top.
Abaca placemat by Ian Giron
The founders of Port Tonic Art Center are art adviser and Europe’s foremost cultural impresario Michele Codoni and art dealer Paolo Scarani. Notable luminaries and patron of Philippines arts and crafts who attended the exposition included Prince Andrea Casiraghi, Princess Charlotte Casiraghi, Beatrice Borromeo, Heini and Camilla Al Fayed, and socialite Lady Monika Bacardi.
Jigger Cruz, Juan Miguel Rodriguez, Ian Giron, Michele Codoni
Generous support came from Ambassador Dondi Teehankee, the Philippines’ official representative to World Trade Organization (WTO), and Filipino -Monegasque Eduardo “Nene” Lacson. Ian Giron’s well-acclaimed artworks will be available for a limited run at the “Designers’ Holiday Bazaar” on Dec. 16 at Greenbelt 5 under the curatorial direction of Bea Zobel Jr. and Sofia Zobel Elizalde. The bazaar is for the benefit of Ayala Corporation’s official charities Centex Foundation and Steps School of the Performing Arts.
Check it out, dahlings, and be proud of our talented artists.
