Cavite fetes Pinoy space engineer

TRECE MARTIRES CITY – At 70, Edward Caro, is virtually a living symbol of the Filipino’s excellence in the field of engineering. But Caro is no ordinary engineer. He is an expert in space exploration and has spent more than half of his life with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the United States.

Caro was honored yesterday by his home province of Cavite for being the main man behind NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, more popularly known as the Explorer.

Cavite Gov. Ayong Maliksi led some 500 local government officials and employees in awarding Caro a plaque of recognition for what he described as "his long, fruitful, and distinguished services rendered" not only to NASA, but to mankind.

During the regular Monday flag-raising ceremonies held at the capitol building here, Maliksi said Caro’s contributions and shuttle missions, has given great honor and pride to the entire Filipino nation.

"He (Caro) is not only a pride of Cavite but also of the Philippines," Maliksi said.

Caro received NASA’s Distinguished Science medal, the highest honor conferred to a NASA employee, when he retired last year after 42 years in the service. – Rene Alviar