By Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY — A total of 20 Ilonggo individuals were honored here Friday as champions of “Istorya ng Pag-asa (INP)”, an initiative of the Office of the Vice President to share the extraordinary stories of ordinary people to inspire and empower Filipinos.
Vice President Leni Robredo awarded the certificates during a recognition ceremony held at the Festive Walk Mall in this city. She was joined by Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. and Lambunao Mayor Jason Gonzales.
She also led the opening of the INP photo gallery featuring the success stories and portraits of Nenita Adeva, Felicitas Aliban, Melvin Ian Baguhin, Krystelle Darroca, Rodolfo Divinagracia, Honorato Espinosa, Cyril Fermaran, Nestor Gicaraya, Cezar Jalandoni, Zharina Lugo, Ana Fe Mangilin, Edmelyn Melanday, Luthelle Jean Palencia, Hyacinth Grace Paloma, Rafael Penequito, Junel Perania, Luis Posa, Janet Yap, Cornelio Areno, and Marie Louise Katherine Magadero.
In her speech, Robredo recognized the inspiring stories of the 20 Ilonggo champions, to become the source of hope for those who will be able to read their stories.
One of the champions, Honorato Espinosa or “Mang Tatoy”, who stopped going to school at the age of 11 due to financial problems, is the owner of Tatoy’s Manokan, otherwise known as Iloilo’s best “lechon manok” (roasted chicken).
Robredo called Mang Tatoy a living proof that poverty is not a hindrance to reach one’s dreams.
She said it was in 2016 when they started to conceptualize the INP to direct social conversations away from animosity and toward positivity by spreading stories of hope.
“We started with only 20 stories of champions and now we have hundreds of them,” she said.
The photo gallery of the 20 Ilonggo champions will be displayed until next week and will also be in other malls in city.
