Aklan Vice Governor is outstanding Aklanon awardee in journalism

By Odon S. Bandiola

Kalibo, Aklan – A multi-sectoral committee organized by the Aklan provincial government as the 2005 search for outstanding Aklanons has chosen Aklan Vice Governor Ronquillo C. Tolentino as outstanding Aklanon in the field of journalism.

The search committee chaired by Dr. Reinalda I. Magdaluyo, Dean of the College of Education of the Northwestern Visayan Colleges and former Department Education school division superintendent for Aklan, had categorized the field where a nominee is outstanding, as follows: education, government career, public service, fine arts, science, technology, journalism, literature, music, invention, religion, soldiery, medicine, law, stage & movies and business and industry.

The Aklan provincial government has revived the prestigious search for outstanding Aklanons in connection with the 49th celebration of Aklan on April 25, 2005 as separate and distinct province. The search has since then recognized and given awards to outstanding Aklanons. In the field of religion, for instance, the provincial government and search committee gave honors and awards to Archbishop Gabriel M. Reyes, first Filipino Archbishop of Cebu and Manila , Jaime Cardinal L. Sin, Bishop Ceciron Sm Tumbocon, Bishop Gabriel V. Reyes, Bishop Raul Q. Martirez, Roblon Bishop Jose Corazon T. Talaoc is this year's outstanding Aklanon awardee in religion. Three-termer Aklan Congressman Allen Salas Quimpo, also a former Kalibo vice mayor and thereafter mayor, is the 2005 outstanding Aklanon Awardee in public service.

Tolentino, a lawyer-journalist, had been in journalism since his college days. He had been publisher, editor and columnist of various provincial and regional newspapers. He had served as three-termer national director of the Federation of Provincial Press Clubs of the Philippines , secretary-general of the Western Visayas Federation of Provincial Press Clubs, president of the Community Journalists Association of Western Visayas and past president of the Aklan Press Club. He is also recipient of various awards from the government, academe, media, military, police, local government units, youth civic and religious sectors.