A SELECTION of prominent Pangasinenses and groups that have brought pride to the province are featured in a photo exhibit, Pangasinan Smiles, now ongoing at the Atrium of CSI Mall in Lucao, Dagupan City.

Those featured and the sectors they represent are Gloria Romero (showbiz), Joe Datuin (artist), former House Speaker Jose de Venecia and former Rep. Gina de Venecia (public servants), Jasmine Curtis-Smith (actress), Mitoy Yonting (music), Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn Fernandez with her husband former Councilor Michael Fernandez and their daughter Mia Olivia (family), Jay Cerezo, Aramal-Tocok Cooperative (farmers’ organization), Balon Dagupan Children’s Choir (youth), Jayson Ramil Macaalay and John Enrico Vasques (athletes), Alliance of United Transport and the Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Dagupan.

“Here we celebrate prominent Pangasinenses who are successful and are leaders in their respective fields,” Fourth District Rep. Christopher de Venecia said at the exhibit’s launch on April 14.

He said that through the exhibit, which will run until April 28, people can learn from the success of the featured personalities and groups.

“Their smiles in the pictures impart that what they achieved is also because of Pangasinan and its people, hence Pangasinan Smiles,” De Venecia said.

Romero, a multi-awarded living legend in Philippine showbiz, is from Mabini town. She has been in showbiz story for the past 60 years and still remains active in her craft.

Datuin is a well-known artist who specializes in sculpture and mixed media pieces. He won the grand award at the 2008 International Olympic Committee Sport and Art Contest at Lausanne, Switzerland, and was recently endorsed by Dagupan City to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as a candidate for National Artist.

Former Speaker de Venecia, a five-time speaker of the House of Representatives and currently special envoy to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, is cited for his achievements in intercultural dialogue. His wife, Gina, a two-time congresswoman, built Haven for Women, Heaven for Children and Haven for the Elderly.

Curtis-Smith, a Filipino-Australian actress, considers Pangasinan as close to her heart as her mother, Carmen Ojales, was born in Bolinao town.

Yonting is the champion of the first-ever season of The Voice Philippines in 2013. He chooses to live in Calasiao, his wife’s hometown.

Dagupan City Councilor Maybelyn Fernandez was national president of Philippine Councilors’ League and currently the chairperson of the Philippine Red Cross Pangasinan Chapter. Her husband, Michael, was also a councilor.

Cerezo, whose family is in textile business, was chosen as one of the top 14 finalists of Project Runway Philippines.

Aramal–Tocok Cooperative, established in San Fabian town, provides assistance to all farmers and their families in the form of programs and activities.

Balon Dagupan Children’s Choir is composed of children (ages 9 to 13), was the 2016 Malaysian International Children’s Choral Festival champion and received the Shah Alam Mayor’s Award, the highest award of the competition.

Macaalay from Calasiao town won a silver medal in the Karate-do Category held in Kuala Lumpur.

Vasques is a member of the Philippine Karate Team who’s been winning medals in international competitions.

Alliance of United Transport (Autopro) is composed of many Public Utility Jeepney (PUJ) Associations. It was established in 2004 to gain access to government benefits extended to the transport sector.

The Samahan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda sa Dagupan is a group of small-scale fishermen established in 2014 through their own efforts to qualify for assistance from the government.

Winners of the Pangasinan Smiles essay writing contest—Ian Balolong, James Dennis Tando and Kim John Santillan—were handed their awards during the exhibit’s launch.

The Pangasinan Smiles photo exhibit is part of the ongoing Bangus Festival. It also features selected photographs from last year’s photography contest titled Capturing Dagupan Vibrancy also by De Venecia’s office.

The photo exhibit will be brought to Manaoag from April 29 to May 6, San Jacinto from May 7 to 13, San Fabian from May 14 to 20, and Mangaldan May 21 to June 27. (Eva Visperas)

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