Significant Personalities Archives - Page 6 of 9 - Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Rymer Gengoni is an artist from Guimbal, Iloilo, recognized for creating art that expresses deep emotions and connects with viewers. He works with various materials but is especially known for his terra cotta sculptures and detailed paintings. Gengoni has earned awards in national competitions, such as the GSIS and Metrobank art contests, and was honored by his hometown as an Outstanding Guimbalanon in Visual Arts. He also works with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as a designer of coins, medals, and banknotes, earning him national recognition through the Gawad Gantimpala awards. His art mixes tradition and modern techniques, helping elevate ...

Significant Personalities

CRESENCIANO E. GAYOMA

Guimbal, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Cresenciano E. Gayoma, born in Guimbal, Iloilo in 1920, is a celebrated composer known for creating The Guimbal March and The Guimbal Hymn. His music is deeply tied to the identity and pride of his hometown, often performed during local ceremonies and events. Through his compositions, Gayoma blended tradition with modern elements, using both Hiligaynon/Kinaray-a and English to reach a wider audience. These works are preserved and shared by his family, ensuring that his musical legacy remains alive in the community. Gayoma’s music not only showcases his talent but also strengthens unity and cultural pride among the people of Guimbal.

Significant Personalities

BILLY RAY “JORDAN” AMOROSO ROBLES (ILONGGO SUPERMAN)

Estancia, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Billy Ray Robles, born in Estancia, Iloilo, on May 30, 1992, is a professional basketball player known for his resilience and dedication to the sport. He began playing basketball as a child, guided by his father, and steadily built his skills through school competitions, eventually representing his region in national meets. After college, he played for the Sara Warriors and was later discovered by Coach Eugene Tan, which led to his debut in the PBA D-League with Hogs’ Breath. Although undrafted in the 2016 PBA Draft, he earned spots with Rain or Shine and later with the Davao Occidental Tigers, ...

Significant Personalities

ROY BABAS

Estancia, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Roy B. Babas was a 12-year-old Boy Scout from Estancia, Iloilo, who became a hero during a tragic pier accident on January 24, 1971. After his father died, he helped support his family by working as a porter while living with his grandfather. During the accident, when the ship El Cano crashed into the pier during a strong wind, Roy jumped into the sea and saved seven people from drowning. Despite being urged to stop, he went back to rescue more, proudly declaring, “Boy Scout ako ‘ya!” before being fatally struck by a falling box when the pier collapsed. His ...

Significant Personalities

COL. QUINTIN SALAS

Dumangas, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Col. Quintin Salas, born on October 31, 1870, in Dumangas, Iloilo, was a revolutionary leader known for his bravery during the Philippine struggle for independence. He led successful uprisings against the Spanish in several Iloilo towns and later fought the Americans, becoming the last Visayan revolutionary to surrender on October 4, 1901. After his military service, he became a lawyer, served as municipal president of Dumangas and Barotac Nuevo, and led the Iloilo Bar Association and Veterans of the Revolution. As a civilian, he generously donated land for public spaces and supported the local church and education. His legacy lives ...

Significant Personalities

PETER SOLIS NERY

Dumangas, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Peter Solis Nery, born in Dumangas on January 6, 1969, is a multi-awarded writer, filmmaker, educator, and cultural advocate. He studied Biology at UP Visayas, later took Philosophy, and worked as a teacher and missionary in Macau and Hong Kong. Known for his achievements in literature and film, he has won 19 Palanca Awards, entered the Hall of Fame in 2012, and created notable Ilonggo films set in Dumangas. He has written over 32 books, including a creative writing textbook used in Philippine senior high schools. In 2012, he founded The Peter Solis Nery Foundation to support Hiligaynon literature and ...

Significant Personalities

NELFA QUERUBIN

Concepcion, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Nelfa Querubin-Tompkins, born in Concepcion, Iloilo in 1941, is a Filipino-American artist known for her ceramic and visual artworks. She began working with clay in 1973 and later moved to the United States, where she continued developing her artistic career. Her art blends Filipino culture with modern themes, using bold colors and detailed designs that reflect her personal journey and heritage. She has exhibited her works in various galleries and museums both in the U.S. and internationally, gaining recognition for her unique style. Aside from creating art, she advocates for cultural understanding and social justice through community work and art ...

Significant Personalities

MICHAEL ANGELO B. BETITA

Carles, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Michael Angelo B. Betita, born in 1987 in Carles, Iloilo, is a talented artist and community leader known for making crowns. From a young age, he excelled in arts and took on leadership roles like youth leader and choir coordinator in his town. He became famous for crafting crowns for religious statues and beauty pageants, gaining recognition on GMA as the Crown Maker of Western Visayas. Michael also serves as a tourism staff member in Carles and actively supports LGBTQIA+ communities as a vice president of local organizations. His crown-making showcases both creativity and respect for cultural traditions, adding beauty ...

Significant Personalities

DON CASIMERO ANDRADA

Carles, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Don Casimiro Andrada, born in 1874 in Zambales, was a key figure in the creation of Carles as an independent municipality separate from Balasan in 1919. Starting as a lighthouse keeper, he later became a major landowner and local leader, acquiring over 180 hectares for agriculture, including orchards and fishponds. He held several political roles such as Justice of the Peace, municipal councilor, vice municipal president, and acting municipal president before helping Carles gain its independence. Although he was offered to be the first Municipal President of Carles, he declined and supported a younger leader instead, serving as Municipal Secretary ...

Significant Personalities

FRANKLIN N. CATEQUISTA

Batad, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Franklin N. Catequesta, born in 1944 in Batad, Iloilo, began serving his town in 1965 as a clerk in the Mayor’s office and later held various leadership roles. He served as a Sangguniang Bayan member from 2004 to 2013 and again from 2016 to 2019, where he helped create local laws and supported public welfare. One of his major contributions was donating his own land in Cabagohan for a community dumping site, helping improve local infrastructure. Before becoming an SB member, he was also the Chief of Police, bringing his law enforcement experience into governance. His efforts in peace and ...

RYMER GENGONI

Cultural Mapping Of Panay and Guimaras

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