Painter, nurse, DILG official lead Quezon’s model citizens

An internationally acclaimed painter, a “heroine” nurse based in the United States and a regional head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government are among the 10 recipients of this year’s “Quezon Medalya ng Karangalan” (QMK) award.

The QMK is given to model citizens of Quezon province, said lawyer Vicente Joyas, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and head of the awards committee.

This year’s awardees included Ireneo “Rene” Robles Jr., known among international contemporary painters as the “founder of assertionism,” an art form that has been described as having the power “to assert, transform and transcend.”

Robles, 63, a native of Lucena City, has exhibited his paintings extensively around Europe, North America and Asia. His works could be found in prestigious public collections in several parts of the globe, as well as in the private collections of King Juan Carlos of Spain, King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, former US president Bill Clinton, and many other art collectors, according to his resumé.

Another recipient, US-based nurse Menchu Sanchez, 57, hails from Catanauan town. Her heroism became known worldwide when she earned accolades from US President Barack Obama after leading the rescue of more than 20 newborn infants at the NYU (New York University) Langone Medical Center when Superstorm “Sandy” battered New York City last year.

Sanchez was hailed by Obama as a role model of “extraordinary Americans” in his State of the Union Address before a joint session of Congress. During the event, Sanchez sat with Michelle Obama in the viewing box of the US First Lady.

Josefina Castilla-Go, DILG director for Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and native of Padre Burgos town, has been cited for exemplary accomplishment in the field of government service.

The other awardees:

Ysmael Baysa, chief finance officer of Jollibee Foods Corp.

Police Director Elpidio de Asis Jr., head of the Directorate for Integrated Police Operation of Western Mindanao

Prudencio Maxino Jr., former mayor of Mulanay town and nationally acclaimed implementor of the government’s Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services

Eduardo Muñoz, a member of Rotary International known for his community service projects

Clarito Barron, agricultural researcher and director of Bureau of Plant Industry Belen Palad, organic farming advocate Carmen Mendoza, an octogenarian educator known for her pioneering work in the field of multigrade teaching.

The QMK award is given by the provincial government to its outstanding citizens for their achievements and contributions to the welfare and development of the province. It is given on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late President Manuel L. Quezon on Aug. 19.

This year, the awarding ceremony will be held on Aug. 16 at Quezon Convention Center.