MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC / Commission) together with the Foundation for Outstanding Professionals, (FOP) Inc. rolled down the red carpet last August 2, 2024, at Conrad, Manila, 5:00 pm for the 2024 PRC Awards night. The awards were: Outstanding Professionals of the Year (OPYA), Outstanding Professional Regulatory Board, Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization, Seal of Excellence in Continuing Partnership Award, and Eric C. Nubla Excellence Award.

OPYA, tagged as the highest and most prestigious award by the Commission and FOP, is bestowed to a professional who has efficiently performed professionalism to the fullest distinction and has undertaken oneself with authenticity in the exercise of his profession and as highly endorsed and recommended by the awardee’s peers.  OPYA is a selection of the best and brightest among the respective professionals under the four (4) respective clusters: Business, Education, and Social; Engineering; Health and Allied; and Technology.  This event is in conjunction with the PRC’s 51st Founding Anniversary and Professional Regulation Week with the theme: “Bagong Pilipinas: Pagpupugay sa Makabago at Mapanlikhang Propesyonal ng Bayan.”

As mentioned by Hon. Commissioner Jose Y. Cueto, Jr., the event serves as a developmental role of the PRC in recognizing the exceptional and exemplary achievements of Filipino professionals in their field of profession.  These professionals serve as living testimonies and epitome for the current and future generations of professionals.  In addition, Commissioner Enad implied that this might be the apex of one’s professional journey to be recognized as an outstanding professional for the extraordinary achievements and accomplishments contributed in their respective profession. As a challenge for the awardees and participating professionals, Hon. Enad reiterated the American Physician and Medical Researcher who developed the first safe and effective vaccine for polio, Jonas Salk’s words: “The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.”

From the moving and inspiring words of PRC Chairperson, Hon. Charito A. Zamora, the awardees, who serve as the embodiment of the Bagong Pilipinas, are hoped to be the catalysts of regenerating the nation and continue to champion innovation, ingenuity, and resilience. “Both PRC and DOLE shall be the professionals’ guide on the side as they pursue and continue to greater heights of innovative approaches and creative solutions in the profound transformation of the nation”, she further emphasized.  Also gracing the event were Hon. Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr., the Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, and Hon. Justice Apolonario D. Bruselas, Jr. from the Court of Appeals. 

The commanding and influential presence of the guest of honor and speaker, the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Hon. Bienvenido E. Laguesma as represented by Hon. Carmela I. Torres, the DOLE Undersecretary for Employment and Human Resource Development, and Hon. Patrick P. Patrirawan, Jr., the Bureau of Local Employment Director IV highlighted the significance of the awards night.

Hats off and praises were warmly extended to the 2024 OPYA Awardees: (For the Business, Education, and Social Cluster):  Accountancy - Heidi L. Mendoza, Customs Brokers - Joel E. Deligero, Guidance and Counseling Luzlin P. Elcullada, Librarianship - Annabelle P. Acede, Professional Teachers - Carmela C. Oracion, Psychology - Grace H. Aguiling-Dalisay, Real Estate Service - Michael Ross I. Limosnero, and Social Workers - Maria Teresa R. Nuqui;  (For the Engineering Cluster): Chemical Engineering - Noel Peter B. Tan, Civil Engineering - Robert S. Licup, Electrical Engineering - Ronnie L. Aperocho, Electronics Engineering - Imelda R. Walcien, Geodetic Engineering - Enrico C. Paringit, Mechanical Engineering - Bernardo M. Terrobias, Mettalurgical Engineering - Persia Ada N. De Yro, Mining Engineering - Yulo E. Perez, and Sanitary Engineering - Emiliana C. Patal-Dela Cruz;  (For the Technology Cluster): Agriculture - Glenn B. Gregorio, Architecture - Edison Ching M. Padilla, Chemistry - Edna C. Mijares, Environmental Planning - Joseph Michael P. Espina, Fisheries - Ma. Junenie Hazel L. Lebata-Ramos, Food Technology - Miflora M. Gatchalian, Foresters - Amalia E. Almazol, and Master Plumbing - Mat Wilson B. Ramos.            

Alongside the respective conferment of respective awards, the event also bestowed and showcased the following awards: a) Outstanding Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) – Philippine Guidance and Counselling Association, Inc. (PGCA); b) Seal of Excellence in Continuing Partnership Award -  United Architects of the Philippines (UAP) and Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association, Inc. (PGCA); c) Outstanding Accredited Professional Organization for Category A: Philippine Medical Association (PMA) and for Category B: United Architects of the Philippines (UAP);  and d) the Eric C. Nubla Excellence Award, Dr. Miflora M. Gatchalian from Food Technology.              

Indeed, the laurels of this year’s recipients will continue to inspire and yield more excelling professionals who will uplift and propagate the unwavering commitment, passion, and love for their respective professions and the nation. As the curtain set for a call, Engr. Leandro A. Conti, President of FOP, Inc., formally closes the event, signifying the successful conduct of the prestigious activity.

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