<< Cont'd from Chapter 7, Page 5

      In the world of economy and business many Pagsanjeños have distinguished themselves, thereby adding luster to their town's glory. The first Pagsanjeño to achieve distinction as a certified accountant was Don Vicente Fabella. His younger brother, Adolfo, also became a prominent accountant. By making the Jose Rizal College one of the most successful private schools of commerce, the two enterprising Fabella brothers proved their business acumen.
      Other Pagsanjeños who won notable distinction in our business world are Cesar C. Zalamea, first Filipino president of the multi-million dollar Philippine-American Insurance Company and a member of the Monetary Board of our Republic; his father Sancho Zalamea, a successful businessman in Manila; his uncle Enrique, a retired banker; Cesar Z. Lanuza, a knowledgeable economist and a Governor of the Board of Investments (BOI); Julio Francia, Jr., business entrepreneur and past president of the Philippine Chamber of Industries; Cesar Abaya, head of a successful plumbing business in Greater Manila; Eduardo Villanueva, senior accountant of the prestigious Sycip, Gorres, Velayo & Company; Jose S. Hocson, manager of the Security Bank Branch in Pasay City; Armando de la Cruz, successful manufacturer in Mandaluyong; Mrs. Soledad B. Cabrera, lady banker and manager of the Pagsanjan Rural Bank; and Mrs. Edwina C. Manansan, well known in hotel and wood-carving business.

Pagsanjeños in Government Service

      Many Pagsanjeños have risen to prominence in government service. Most outstanding was Dr. Jose Fabella, Secretary of Health and Social Welfare under President Manuel L. Quezon.
      Other Pagsanjeños who have achieved distinction in government service are General Manuel Yan, former AFP Chief of Staff and Philippine Ambassador to Thailand; Cesar Z. Lanuza, former head of the Philippine Reparation Mission in Tokyo with diplomatic rank of Minister and a member of the Board of Investments; Pelagio Llamas, Philippine ambassador and head of the Philippine Consulate General in New Orleans; Atty. Selby Abaquin, former ambassador to Brunei and Indonesia; Dean Ramon Oben, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue; Victor Z. Cabreza, retired Chief of the Administrative Services, of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR); Jose Cosme, Assistant Director of the BIR branch in Iloilo Province; Armand Fabella, Chairman of the Reorganization Commission of our Republic; Honesto G. Nicandro, one of the key officials of the Central bank; Judge Amador Gomez of the Court of First Instance in Cebu; Judge Eduardo Abaya of the Court of First Instance in Batangas; Julio Francia, Sr., former city assessor of Manila; Jose Zaide, former press attache' of the Philippine embassies in san Francisco, Tokyo, Bonn (West Germany), and the Hague (Netherlands) and formerly detailed at the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong; Rafael F. Zaide, who served as cultural attache' in the Philippine embassies at Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, and Pnom Penh; and Salvador F. Zaide, chief of the Division of Publications, National Science Development Board.
      On the level of local government, Dominador Labit has achieved distinction. A former public school teacher, he became administrative officer of the provincial government of Laguna. For his efficiency and devotion to public service, he was conferred the Distinguished Honor Award by the Civil Service Commission in 1969.