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Press Release

Prudencia Comiling Cruz and Norma Tecson Francia best exemplify all that is good in being a mother and a career woman.

Based on the criteria set by the awards committee, Cruz is Ulirang Ina awardee, government sector, while Francia is Ulirang Ina sectoral awardee for arts and culture.

The two Boholanas were given awards during ceremonies last Sunday at the SM City in Manila.

Other sectoral awards include business and industry, socio civic and religious, media and journalism, education, medicine and allied sciences and law and judiciary.

SECTORAL AWARDEE, GOVERNMENT

Cruz was born in Alburquerque, Bohol on May19, the second among the 4 children of the late Dionisio Comiling and the late Victoriano Dumagan. She is married to Rodrigo A. Cruz a retired expert on livestock production and they are blessed with 3 children and 3 grandchildren.

She was promoted to Director IV of the National Library of the Philippines, in December 7, 2001 her appointment was signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thus making her the 16th Director of the said institution. She has been with the National Library since 1970. Starting as the Bohol Provincial Library as a Senior Librarian, she steadily rose to her present position. She has introduced many innovations in the National Library. With the passion of a very caring mother, she has preserved the rich heritage of Philippine literature and cultural treasures.

Director Cruz is steeped in preparation for the job, in academics, experience and exposure. She holds a BSE Major in Library Science from the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, and a Master of Library Science from the University of the Philippines. She earned units from Graduate School of Library and Information Science from Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, Illinois, USA.

She has been a paper presenter in many conferences here and abroad, has published articles, received numerous awards and grants the latest of which is the Service Award presented by the Philippine Librarians Association in November 29, 2006. With her significant contribution to our nation, she was named Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World in July 2006.

Her latest project is the establishment of the Philippine Presidents Room, Photograph Collections Room and the Children's Library. Keen on pursuing programs which are attuned to the needs of the time, she actively cooperates with organizations whose programs and projects are related to culture and the heritage as well as to library and information services.

SECTORAL AWARDEE, ARTS AND CULTURE

Born July 5, 1937, Francia finished Bachelor of Music at the Holy Ghost College, Manila and Tutorship at Julliard School in New York. She is married to Prudencio Sevilla Francia and they were blessed with 5 children: Maria Cecilia Francia-Martinez a Legal Assist. In a legal film in New Jersey; Gerardo Francia VP for Sales for Consolidated Distillers of the Far East, Inc.; John Eric Francia Planning and Operations Manager Monitor International; Carmela Belmonte a housewife with a degree in HRM and Raymund Francia a PAL Steward.

Norma was exposed to music from birth and by the time she was 5 she was playing the piano, the Tecson's were known not only for their musically but for their fair complexion, graciousness and good looks.

When it came to choosing a career Norma was in a dilemma to take up music or law, because her father the late Atty. Jose Tecson was a lawyer, her maternal grandfather Pablo Sarmiento was the 3rd Governor of Bohol, her paternal Grandfather Pablo Tecson was Congressman of Bataan and Secretary of the historic Malolos Congress. But her Mama Sophia prevailed believing in her potential to be a great pianist and so to a career of music she went.

Somewhere along the line love stepped in and by the time she made her graduation recital she already had 2 kids. In the early years of their married life, being a wife and mother did not deter her from practicing on the piano at least 2 hours a day.

Her husband Ding was a supportive and despite his struggles to further his career, he would help with the cooking, washing the dishes and tending their garden as those were their "maidless years." But all is well that ends well Norma was able to pursue her musical career and Ding eventually retired as the Regional Director of UpJohn Drug Company's North Pacific Region.

One of her prized possession was a gift of her husband a black baby grand Samick piano, and his iswht she uses to date to practice on.

Norma's major concerts and performances are: 1981 Concert at the Park, Luneta with the Metro Manila Symphony Foundation Orchestra with Professor Regalado conducting; 1993, Pasta on the Piazza Opera, Concert Series, Atrium, Makati; 1994 Paco Park Presents and Philam Alliance Cultural Affairs, New Jersey; 1995 An Evening of Music with Norma Tecson Francia at Francisco Santiago Hall, PCIB Tower I, Makati and a Benefit Concert for Caritas Foundation; 1996 President Carlos P. Garcia Centennial Concert, Bohol Tropics San Dugo Hall, Tagbilaran City; and 2007 Piano Concert, Sarasota, Florida. - Published by the Bohol Chronicle

Oh my mama