BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government here recently recognized and awarded a model grandfather and grandmother as part of its 9th Grand Ammungan Festival celebration.
Cited as model grandmother and grandfather were Patricinia Bullecer, 92, of Bagabag town and Fernando Dulnuan, 70, of Sta. Fe town, respectively.
Bullecer is a retired public school teacher, and acted as president of the Senior Citizens Association of Barangay Sta. Cruz in her hometown.
She also initiated the Women’s Society of Medical/Dental Practitioners of the town and involved herself in church activities and other community affairs.
Bullecer was also known as the composer of the Bagabag hymn, and served as the oldest Royal Matron of the Order of the Amaranth. Her four children and grandchildren are now professionals, and some great grandchildren are abroad.
Dulnuan, also a retired teacher, is a member of the Ifugao sub-tribe of Tuwali. He served as president of the Association of Senior Citizens of Sta. Fe town from 2013-2016.
He also offered a one-hectare farm for planting to students for them to earn income for their educational expenses, which is still operating to the present.
Dulnuan initiated the development of the Senior Citizens Association’s office, the establishment of a school museum for the Malico National High School in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, and livelihood projects of that elderly organization, such as rabbit protection and coffee, tiger grass and sayote growing.
He also helped set up a loan fund for the elderly, made indigenous costumes for rent, and taught the proper segregation of solid waste among students of the Kalahan Academy in Barangay Imugan in Sta. Fe town.
Dulnuan and Bullecer received P15,000 each as incentive and plaques of recognition during the awarding last May 22 at the P100-million Vizcaya Convention Center, as part of the Grand Ammungan Festival celebration.
“They were the first batch of elderlies who were awarded inside the convention center, along with their counterparts,” Governor Carlos Padilla said.
Consolation prizes of P5,000 each were given to the other entries for the Search for Model Grandparents: Mary Ligmayo, Tomas Santiago, Carmelita Octobre, Ceasar Macababbad, Fortunata Andaya, Lolita Torres, Marcelo Ramos, Mercelita De Vera, Deusdedit Marquez, Crisostomo Balinag, Pacito Balangue Sr., Domingo Paulino, Lucia Tapaoan, Claudio Bartolome Castillo, Evangeline Tamani, Zenaida Abellera, Petronillo Tolentino and Nancy Belvis.
The Search, also called “Pagwadan a Lolo ken Lola” has the following criteria: Family Life – Educational attainment (15 percent), educational attainment of biological children (15%), children gainfully employed with sustainable livelihood (10%), community accomplishments (40%), projects initiated (10%) and interview (10%).