The Filipino-Chinese community in the city launched its search for “Spring Festival 2020 Outstanding Citizens of Baguio” for the first time since 1999 when the Chinese Lunar New Year celebration was institutionalized through Ordinance 18.
Four exemplary personalities nominated by the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community will be recognized this year as Spring Festival Outstanding Citizens.
Rommel V. Fallarme will be awarded in the Digital Media category. As a reputable press relations manager for several local and international brands and stores, Fallarme became one of the pioneers of digital media in Baguio City through blog and content creation promoting environmental awareness campaigns, specifically upcycling to lessen the volume of waste that goes into landfills.
Fallarme also helps in the campaign for responsible blogging by giving talks in seminars and conferences in Baguio City and Benguet. He created the Facebook page “Uncles and Aunties of Baguio” with over 57,000 members promoting local civic activities, events, news and stories in Baguio and Benguet.
He, who has been residing in Baguio for 42 years, was nominated by Chino Chow of Hotel Supreme and 96.7 K-Lite FM.
Nominees in the Community Service category are Rafael Valencia of the paramedic group 911 On-Call, Assistant City Social Welfare and Development Officer Edith Furigay, and Marlene de Castro, an executive assistant to Mayor Benjamin Magalong.
Valencia was nominated for risking his life as a rescue volunteer worker since his teenage years. He is one of the founders of 911 On-Call Inc., a civic rescue group trained to provide basic life support in times of emergencies.
Furigay will receive an award for her leadership capabilities that led to the accreditation of social workers’ associations in Baguio and Benguet representing the local government units in national organizations with good standing. She was in the forefront in conducting capability buildings and seminars strengthening the knowledge, skills and appropriate aptitude of social protection programs among service providers as well as helped improve the functionality of the Baguio City Day Care Workers Association.
She also strengthened the leadership capabilities of the officers of the Federation of Pag-asa Youth Association of Baguio.
Completing the roll of awardees is de Castro, a multi-awarded citizen of Baguio. She has participated in programs and projects focused on women and youth health and development by establishing the Baguio Center for Young Adults, Inc., an organization that advocates for adolescent health and empowerment. Through the years, she partnered with government offices in raising awareness on women’s rights, social entrepreneurship as well as raising awareness on HIV/AIDS prevention.
The committee on awards of the 2020 Spring Festival celebrations is chaired by William Ang.
The awardees will be honored after the Chinese New Year parade on Jan. 27. – Jessa Mardy Samidan
April 20, 2024
