BAGUIO CITY — The city government awarded the five outstanding citizens during the 115th Baguio Charter Anniversary celebration held at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, Baguio City,on September 1.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Congressman Mark Go, guest of honor US Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Philippines MaryKay Loss Carlson and city officials led the simple and meaningful celebration, at the same time giving awards to outstanding citizens selected by the Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB), led by Joel Arthur Tibaldo.
The awardees are Dr. Jimmy Billod, as the sole full-time Gynecologic Oncologist of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center.
Billod has always been energetic and enthusiastic in the care of women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer. Through his diligence, the BGHMC Z-package for cervical cancer was approved in 2017 and recently re-accredited by the National Insurance Company providing free and adequate diagnosis and treatment for women with the disease.
Arnel Cabanisas, a distinguished 20-year military career, nine years of which he spent excelling in diverse roles at the Philippine Military Academy. He retired in 2012 where he then took an active role at the ZigZag Base Communications and Rescue Group and DELTANS volunteer group where he became National President and later as Chapter President. He was also President of the Rotary Club of Baguio from 2021 to 2022.
Maricar Docyogen, believes in the power of art and literacy by establishing Bookends, a renowned hub for literature, fostering a vibrant literary community. She is also the founder and leads the Pasa-kalye Group of Artists that provides emerging artists with opportunities and platforms to flourish thereby enriching Baguio’s art scene.
She is a community leader actively supporting various community programs, collaborating with government agencies and organizations, demonstrating her commitment to Baguio’s overall progress.
Engr. Fernando Laranang, founder of FCL Laranang Companies, one of the city’s most dependable and trusted construction companies, having built more than 80 industrial, commercial, institutional and religious buildings that have contributed immensely in improving the Summer Capital’s business climate, promoting a more vibrant tourism industry, a conducive educational center of the North and creating more investment opportunities for residents and non-residents of Baguio, retirees and overseas workers.
He has spearheaded the ‘Green Engineering Movement’ , conscious of the importance of Earth’s preservation and conservation of the environment.
Dr. Mary Arsenia Ngao-si Mondiguing, a true-blue Cordilleran with humble beginnings, Dr. Mondiguing is the Section Chief for Cataract and Refractive Services of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vice-Chair of the Research Ethics Committee of the Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center.
An active academician for 20 years, she is currently chairs Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s Department Ophthalmology; a faculty of the Pines City Colleges’ College of Medicine and section head of Ophthalmology of the Pines City Doctors Hospital.
As a renowned eye specialist, Dr. Ars’ main advocacy is on the prevention of blindness as she supported the Vision 2020 program or the “Right to Sight”, a global initiative launched by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
