‘Pride Ilocana OFW’ receives special award for community service

 

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) CNSSO V/AFOC Area I Marionito F. Dela Cruz (center) receives the Special OFW Award for Community Service on behalf of his wife Elza Nagtalon Dela Cruz (awardee) who is presently working in Ireland. The award was given by the Roosevelt High School administrators during the General Alumni Homecoming 2020 Coronation Program and Gala Night held February 29, 200 at the Piddig Farmers Trading Center. Witnessing the awarding are the children of the awardee: Ramel, Meldrick and Melissa Jane with their families and friends. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz

Staff Reporter

Piddig, Ilocos Norte—"If you were born with the ability to change someone’s perspective or emotions, never waste that gift. It is one of the most powerful gifts God can give—the ability to influence”—Shannon L. Alder.

The pride Ilocana Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Ms. Elza Nagtalon Dela Cruz of Class of 1975, received a Special OFW Award for Community Service from the Roosevelt High School of Piddig, Inc. Alumni Association (RHSPI AA) in time for their General Alumni Homecoming 2020 Coronation Program and Gala Night held February 29, 200 at the Piddig Farmers Trading Center with the theme “My Alma Mater, My Pride Forever”. 

The award was received by her husband Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Cnsso V/AFOC Area I Marionito F. Dela Cruz; and children Ramel (businessman), Meldrick (seaman) and Melissa Jane (assistant manager, customer service in management operations in Doha, Qatar) with their respective families

The award demonstrates Elsa’s selfless devotion in uplifting the lives of others through the OFW organizations she leads for continuing to uphold the principles and values that the school stands for and for her active involvement in school improvement and alumni affairs. 

Elsa was born and raised in a safe haven surrounded by mountains and farm fields at Brgy. Bulbulala, Pallas Valley in Vintar, Ilocos Norte and was trained to be responsible, independent and a leader to her three siblings.

Elsa enjoys helping people setting a good example and a leader. She values life with other people as she ventured in the field of health care services.

She finished her elementary education at Pallas Elementary School in Vintar and moved to Roosevelt High School in Piddig, Ilocos Norte for her secondary education. After which, she finished her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in Northwestern University for.

Right after graduation, Elsa worked in hospitals and clinics including the Laoag City General Hospital, St. James Medical Clinic, Laoag City DSWD and Laoag City PopCom Office.  

Widening her horizon in the field of health care and other field, Elsa also took the opportunity to work abroad in Hong Kong as private home nurse; private home care in Hawaii, USA; and personal assistant to the Philippine Ambassador in Dublin, Ireland.

At present, she works as a part-time interpreter on Beatrice Translating, Accord Translations, Context Interpreting and at the same time a full-time private nurse in Dublin, Ireland.

As part of her leadership skills, she is presently the president of the Ilocano-Irish Association based in Ireland; organized and led the Ilocos Norte and Laoagueños Federated Association of Hong Kong; organized and led the Philippine Domestic Workers Union in Hong Kong; and consultant and adviser for small organizations in Hong Kong.

As a service-oriented person, Elsa was an awardee as “Ulirang Pilipino” in Ireland which she established goals, objectives and programs for the organization.

In the field of volunteerism and community involvement, the Society of St. Vincent De Paul in Dublin, Ireland thanked the Ilocano Irish Association headed by Ms. Elsa Dela Cruz for the 700 Euro donation for the homeless, families and elderly people living alone.        

She was also given a certificate of appreciation by the DSWDO Laoag City; ABOWA D’Abulugueans Overseas Workers Association of Hong Kong; and the Tinig Fiipino based in Hong Kong.

Extending her assistance to her high school Alma Mater, she financially supported the construction of two toilets with the help of her batch mates based in Hawaii, USA; donated a filing cabinet for the administration office; and donated the P5,000.00 first prize for the raffle draw fund raising project.

In her speech, read by her husband, she expressed her “deepest thanks” to school principal Teresita A. Wingco, Board of Directors, teaching and non-teaching staff, all batches of the different alumni for a very successful conduct of the General Alumni Homecoming 2020.  

Most importantly, she thanked the alumni association for choosing her as one of the special awardees, especially to Ms. Evangeline A. Jose, who nominated her for the award.

“I will treasure this honor for the rest of my life. I hope to continue to extend my services and supporting my own humble way. Living alone away from my family is such a great battle as they are my source of strength and idealism,” Elsa said.          

She shared the recognition to her family as they had been her inspiration to be good and to do what is necessary without expecting anything in return.

Lastly, she thanked the Almighty for giving her the strength and abilities to use these gifts for the good of other people and for herself.

“This I think can give me priceless joy and I will never be tired of striving to be a good human being for I believe I was born to ‘Care,” Elsa ended.  

The awarding was held during the coronation of the Homecoming Queen 2020 Mrs. Agustina Esteban Acdan of Class 1968 with guest speaker Gemma Rae Jose Longboy of Class 2002.                      

Other awardees include Engr. Leonardo M. Foronda Jr. of Class 1964 for the Distinguished Alumnus Award in Public Service and the Bartolome, Cavalida, Guillen & Ildefonso Siblings for the Siblings Loyalty Award.