DAMMAM, 23 July 2007 — The Filipino group United Surigaonon Association, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia (USA-EPSA) has honored its former president, Rex Catubigan, who passed away last March in a hospital in Alkhobar due to cardiac arrest.
The group conferred upon Catubigan the Rafael E. Seguis Leadership Award (RESLA) during its 3rd Annual General Membership Meeting last Friday at the Philippine School in Dammam (PSD).
“We felt the big loss of our leader who put us back together and wished that this organization will continue to live on in serving our dear OFWs, particularly our fellow Surigaonons who are in distress,” current president Imelda Manalang said.
In a message sent for the occasion, Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis conveyed his personal appreciation to Catubigan for his exemplary service to the Filipino community and sincere commitment to the cause of the Filipinos overseas, particularly the Surigaonons.
“Engineer Catubigan’s dedication to the welfare of the Surigaonons, particularly in Jubail, Alkhobar and Dammam, should serve as an inspiration to all of us. His unselfish efforts toward community service and the betterment of the Filipino should encourage us to do better,” Seguis wrote.
Catubigan served as USA-EPSA president in 2006. He was also a past chapter president of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) in the Eastern Region and one of the advisers of the Filipino Community in Jubail.
The award was handed over by Labor Attaché David Des Dicang to Rex’s brother, Louie Catubigan, who is based in Jubail. Also present during the event were Welfare Officer Rolando Coquia and community leaders from different organizations.
The RESLA trophy is the highest form of recognition given by USA-EPSA to any outstanding community leader who has done an exemplary service to the community.
Last March, the group also gave the RESLA trophies to six student leaders. Catubigan approved the award two days before his demise.
The awardees were Ryan Kristofer I. Arana and Maria Enrily D. Magtanong from PSD, Raymar S. Marquez and Narciso Mapalo of the International Philippine School in Alkhobar (IPSA), and Faith Joy A. Malagapo and Richard Jacob N. Dy of the Al-Andalus International School (AAIS).
The six students were nominated by their respective school principals as outstanding student leaders for the School Year 2006-2007.
The RESLA trophies were personally handed over by Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor during the respective graduation ceremonies of the three Filipino schools.