LA UNION CONFERS AWARDS TO TWO SVD PRIESTS

SAN FERNANDO CITY, LA UNION – Two SVD missionaries, both natives of La Union province, have been given recognition during the 159th Foundation Anniversary of the province on March 2, 2009. Bishop Artemio Rillera, SVD, DD of the Diocese of San Fernando de La Union was conferred the Saranay Award, the highest award given to a resident of La Union.





Fr. Artemio Rillera, SVD

Bishop Rillera was described as a “compassionate religious leader and renowned promoter of Christian faith…serving as an icon on ecumenism by championing the cause of his parishioners and in institutionalizing the welfare and benefits of the priests in his diocese…”


“This is an award to all the clergy, the sisters and all the people of La Union,” said the Bishop. Saranay, roughly translated as helping one another, aptly describes their collective effort. He hopes that the award “boosts the spirit of the people of La Union to continue their fight,” referring to the shabu laboratory case in Brgy. Bimmotobot in Naguilian, La Union and several other causes they are espousing.


Bishop Rillera was born in Naguilian town in the same province. He was ordained and installed Bishop of Bangued on August 28, 1993. He was later on appointed as Bishop of San Fernando de La Union on April 1, 2005 and installed as its fourth bishop on June 14, 2005.

POSTHUMOUS


For rendering outstanding and exemplary service to his native province of La Union, the late Fr. German Cabillo, SVD was conferred the posthumous La Union Service Award during the 159th Foundation Anniversary Celebration of the province on March 2, 2009. Fr. Cabillo was referred to as an “Outstanding Leader and Fearless Advocate of Peoples’ Rights and Dignity.” Fr. Jerome Adriatico, SVD, the PHN Provincial Superior, accepted the award in behalf of Fr. Cabillo. “If he were alive, we would have accepted our awards together,” Bishop Rillera, recipient of the Saranay Award, said of his classmate.



Fr. Gerry Cabillo, SVD


Fr. Cabillo was born in Balaoan town in La Union. Before his death in March 2008, Fr. Cabillo served as Regional Chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) La Union and Ilocos Chapters and Communications Director of SVD Philippine Northern Province.