Five outstanding Libmaneños (posthumous) marked and distinguished by unselfish service to country and people, true and genuine patriotism and exemplary lives were given Plaques of Recognition by Club Libmaneños during its traditional Christmas Party last December 9 in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The party was also a “Symposium asin Social” affair by the members who gathered and responded to the call for immediate assistance to the victims of the strong typhoon Millennium and Reming that hit the Bicol region in the last two months. The theme of the occasion was “Let us Share our Talent, Time and Treasure”.

The awardees were:
1. Leon S.A. Aureus, a famous guerilla leader of the Tangkong Baka Guerillas in Libmanan, first Mayor of the Chartered City of Naga, founder, editor and publisher of the Bicol Mail, the most widely read and circulated newspaper in Bicol Region.

2. Don Vicente Ursua, leader of Libmanan town’s revolutionary forces who fought the Spaniards and Americans during the Filipinos independence movement in 1898 to 1902. History books recorded how his men, despite their lack of weapons and adequate training, fought valiantly, until overcome by superior American forces which landed in San Miguel bay, rode horses and motorboats then took over by force the town of Libmanan.

3. Leon Hernandez, a prominent farm owner, one of the fifteen Bicol Martyrs executed or exiled during Filipinos’ revolutionary movement against Spain. He was exiled in a remote island north of Africa, tortured and suffered illnesses and deprivation. A monument aptly called Quince Martires, in honor of the fifteen martyrs, is found in the plaza of Naga City. He is the father of Jaime J. Hernandez, a former Secretary of Finance of President Quezon’s wartime cabinet of WWII and also the founder of the University of Nueva Caceres.

4. Leon J. Hernandez, a colonel of the Philippine Air Force, graduated from the United States of Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland in 1943, became a naval aviator and fought the Japanese forces in the Pacific in WWII. After the war he joined the Philippine Air Force and become a presidential pilot during the incumbency of President Quirino. As Chief of Intelligence Service of the Philippines he resisted pressures to use organization for partisan politics. He resigned and joined as top executive of the Philippine Air Lines. Married to an American he spent his retirement in the U.S. until he died last year at the age of 84. He led a life of integrity and his exemplary and eminent services to country and people were not much heralded.

5. Eliseo Portin Sr., Mayor of Libmanan during the Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945. While other prominent persons, for reasons and another, refused the offer to be town’s top executive he willingly accepted it as an opportunity for service to the town and protect his town mates. For several times he was subjected to physical and mental torture, denied food and water and deprived of the human comforts and amenities he never wavered and refused to tell the Japanese the names of Filipino guerillas. He led a simple life but well respected. He died a poor man. A street in his name was decreed in his honor.

        The officers of Club Libmaneños are: Brig. Gen. Manuel P. Oxales, President; Luis Apolinario Jr., Vice-President; Leovy Aguila, Secretary; Godofredo Espiritu Jr., Treasurer; Florentino Orino Jr., Auditor; Chita Esguerra Misajon and Ligaya Olivia San Mateo, members of the board.

        Last year thirty seven other outstanding Libmaneños were given Plaques of Recognition for their excellence in various fields of endeavor. Their names were published in the Dec. 9, 2005 issue of Bicol Mail.