ROTARY: Bruce McTavish, 1983 Rotary Club Pres, Mabalacat, Pamp introduced World’s First Polio Plus Project

Rotary's successful drive to eliminate polio throughout the globe. His pilot program became the template. The club approached then First Lady Imelda Marcos, forming one of the first private entity partnerships with a government agency. Because of the lack of media attention, members literally went door to door to get parents to have their children inoculated, saving over 500 children from the debilitating disease. Bruce even brought his two daughters, Jean and Michelle, to administer drops so that the children being vaccinated would feel more at ease. Bruce and his genteel wife Carmen have bred a family and community culture of selflessness, first and most important to them is the care for the children of the country they both love. Bruce McTavish has brought a new honor to the country. McTavish was at the just-concluded World Boxing Council convention in Kunming, China, where over 750 delegates – 550 from other countries and over 200 from China, converged for their annual meeting. For the second time in three years, the long-time resident of Angeles, Pampanga was named the World Boxing Council Referee of the Year, adding another sterling achievement on an incomparable career.http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/11/09/1519996/mctavish-philippines

WELLNESS IN TRADE & INDUSTRY: Mang Inasal, Most Outstanding Filipino Franchise, 2015 Franchise Excellence Awards (FEA)

FEA is a biennial, and the Philippines’ first and only, industry awards that recognize top homegrown and international franchisors in the country. It was established in 1998 by the Philippine Franchise Association in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. FEA recognizes the country’s “best-managed companies” which serve as benchmarks for franchising businesses. It aims to promote the growth of local franchising operations and encourage franchises to meet world-recognized standards of operations. “Since 2003, we’ve worked towards bringing the distinctively Pinoy chicken inasal to Filipinos all over the country and this recognition highlights an important milestone for us,” Mang Inasal Philippines Inc. President JJ S. Alano, III said. “This award is testament to our commitment to high quality food and customer service and topnotch business management, and we are truly honored to be among renowned franchise businesses.”

Currently, Mang Inasal has over 450 branches across the country.

GLOBAL PINOY: National Scientist Dr. Benito Vergara, Author, Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice, published in more than 50 languages and used around the world

The man behind the development of the Riceworld Museum and the Philippine Heritage Center in NAST was recognized for his exceptional contributions to scientific knowledge on plant physiology and for promoting Philippine science locally and internationally. His fascination with plants led him to his decision to pursue agriculture. He obtained his BS Botany degree from UP Diliman in 1955, MS Botany from the University of Hawaii in 1959 and PhD in Plant Physiology from the University of Chicago in 1960.
Afterward, he worked as an assistant professor at UP Los Baños in 1961. This was followed by a long stint at the then newly launched International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) as associate plant physiologist in 1969, and then as plant physiologist in 1970 and finally, as head plant physiologist in 1984. At IRRI, Vergara focused on three major research areas: the flowering response of rice to photoperiodism (the plant’s ability to flower in response to seasonal changes), rice physiology and deep-water rice. He then worked on the physiology of deep-water rice and flood-tolerant rice plant and developed techniques and methods for the development of rice-growing. His methods were later adopted by national breeding programs and other rice-growing countries. Vergara was also behind the conceptualization of a model for the super rice for higher rice yield. His group pioneered research on the possible effects of ozone depletion in the atmosphere on the growth, development and yield of rice. Vergara’s passion in promoting science to the public gave way to the publication of his book Farmer’s Primer on Growing Rice, published in more than 50 languages and used around the world. In addition, he also published a plant catalogue and a children’s literature about the rice plant.For his achievements, he was elected as Academician to the NAST Phl in 1987 and was conferred the title National Scientist in 2001, the highest award accorded to Filipino scientists. National Scientist Dr. Benito Vergara, who succumbed to a heart attack at 81. Vergara is survived by his wife Lina Manalo-Vergara, who was IRRI’s first head librarian, sons Sunny and Happy, daughter Joy and four grandchildren. http://www.manilatimes.net/genius-and-goodness-of-a-national-scientist/228247/

WELLNESS IN CULTURE: Pres. Aquino awarded Outstanding Public Servants including female fire officer who responded to call of duty in the face of tragedy

In a ceremony in Malacañang on Nov 9, 2015, President Aquino conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan, Dangal ng Bayan and Pag-asa awards to 28 individuals and two groups. Among the awardees is Trixie Dagame, Fire Officer II of the Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Office No. 8 in Tacloban City. Dagame received the Dangal ng Bayan Award, which is conferred to an individual for performing extraordinary act or public service and consistent demonstration of exemplary ethical behavior. Aquino praised Dagame for being true to her mandate during the onslaught of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 even if her two children were among the fatalities.

List of Awardees:

Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award

• Teodora B. Balangcod, Professor III, University of the Philippines, Baguio City
• Alma C. Dickson, Agricultural Center Chief IV, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Quezon City
• Arsenio B. Ella, Scientist III, Forest Products Research and Development Institute – Department of Science and Technology, Los Baños, Laguna
• Dina A. Genzola, Senior Agriculturist, Office of the Provincial Agriculturist – Provincial Government of Negros Occidental, Bacolod City
• Roberto C. Guarte, Professor VI, Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte
• Julius A. Lecciones, Executive Director III, Philippine Children’s MedicalCenter, Quezon City
• Lilibeth B. Martin, Medical Technologist II, Provincial Health Office – Provincial Government of Abra, Bangued, Abra
• Amer A. Saber, Medical Center Chief I, Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
• Gilbert C. Sosa, Police Senior Superintendent, Philippine National Police, Quezon City
• Cecilia B. Vidoy, Special Education Teacher I, Rabat-Rocamora Mati Central School SPED Center, Mati City, Davao Oriental
• Jonar I. Yago, Professor IV, Nueva Vizcaya State University, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya

Dangal ng Bayan Award for ethical public service

• Menia S. Alvidera, Education Program Supervisor, Department of Education Division of Roxas City, City of Roxas, Capiz
• Maria Daisy O. Bercede, State Auditor IV, Commission on Audit Regional Office No. 7, Cebu City
• Vivencio B. Claros, Jail Officer II, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Rodriguez, Rizal
• Trixie M. Dagame, Fire Officer II, Bureau of Fire Protection Regional Office No. 8, Tacloban City
• Roy A. Esteron, Truck Driver, National Food Authority Quirino Provincial Office, Cabarroguis, Quirino
• Juvy S. Gaton, Information Officer II, Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office No. 6, Iloilo City
• Jo Anne D. Haber, Director IV, Office of the President, San Miguel, Manila
• Mario V. Navasero, Scientist I, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna

Pag-asa Award for outstanding work performance

• Danny C. Cachola, Elementary School Principal II, Matucay Elementary School, Allacapan, Cagayan
• Jinglebert P. Collado, Teacher I, Department of Education Division of Davao del Norte, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
• Gloria M. De La Cruz, Agricultural Center Chief IV, Philippine Carabao Center – DMMMSU Campus, Rosario, La Union
• Virgilio M. Fuertes, Senior Science Research Specialist, Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No. 10, Cagayan de Oro City
• Eunice A. Layugan, Associate Professor V, Cagayan State University Aparri, Aparri, Cagayan
• Luz R. Marcelino, Chief Science Research Specialist, Department of Agriculture Regional Office No. 5, Pili, Camarines Sur
• Albert G. Ramos, Senior Water Resources Facility Technician, Plaridel Water District, Plaridel, Bulacan
• Ernesto F. Rivera, Information Technology Officer II, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, Pasig City
• Mary Anne T. Timbreza, Civil Registrar, Municipal Government of Tayum, Poblacion Tayum, Abra
• COMELEC – ITD iREHISTRO Team, Commission on Election Manila
• Office for Agricultural Services (Rice Group), Provincial Government of Kalinga, Tabuk City, Kalinga
•  
•  Source: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2015/11/09/1520092/pnoy-awards-heroic-fire-officer-who-lost-2-kids-yolanda

WELLNESS IN BUSINESS: Philippine businesses going global

Filipino businessmen, buoyed by excess cash and soaring profits brought by a continuing economic boom during the Aquino administration are following suit as reported by AFP.  Prominent among them is real estate magnate Andrew Tan who is adding to his “spirits” business by acquiring Whyte and Mackay of Scotland and part of Bodega Las Copas of Spain.  Monde Nissin owned by low profile entrepreneur Betty Ang has stretched its local instant noodle business to gobble up the fruit juice brand Nudie and chilled dips manufacturer Black Swan from Australia as well as British meat substitute manufacturer Quorn.
Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/philippine-business-going-global/#QPUoDagFiyG8Sp8U.99

WELLNESS IN EDUCATION: CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art will help teachers and students delve into “a wider concept of cultural identity".

Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is launching the newest edition of the CCP Encyclopedia of Philippine Art, a comprehensive source of information covering diverse artistic inclinations. The collection’s editor-in-chief Nicanor Tiongson, professor emeritus of Film and Audio-Visual Communication at the College of Mass Communication in University of the Philippines-Diliman, says the encyclopedia will help teachers and students delve into “a wider concept of cultural identity.” Tiongson added the collection will make it easy to understand Filipino art and culture because of its “comprehensive and systematic” presentation of different scattered data. Its first edition was published only in 1994. To date, the collection remains the only encyclopedia on Philippine arts. In putting the encyclopedia together, Tiongson said extensive research was done by a staff of “people who are recognized as authorities in their field.” In addition to the updated print version, CCP will also launch a digital edition featuring additional images, audio, video clips and navigational tools designed for students and online educators. With the support of the government, CCP hopes to make the digital version available to the public for free. The encyclopedia has 12 volumes: Peoples Of The Philippines, Architecture, Visual Arts, Dance, Music, Theater, Film, Literature and Broadcast Arts, which is also the latest addition the collection highlighting major events, movements, and developments in field of Philippine radio and television. “The updated version unfolds a host of learning resources that organizes the content for use in classrooms, making it an essential source for scholars and students alike,” Tiongson said. The print and digital version of CCP Encyclopedia of the Art is set for release in 2016. http://www.mb.com.ph/a-deeper-understanding-of-filipino-arts-and-culture/