APPCU 2021 Laureates
APCU Fora with APPCU 2021 Laureates
Hall of Fame Awardees
Former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos
She is an icon. A woman who throughout the decades astonished us with her wit and beauty. She became a power broker for statesmen, politicians, and bureaucrats. Even today, she stands as an epitome of power and beauty for her family and her constituents, who have always looked up to her and her family. All this and more is why she deserves and is worthy of the hall of fame award.
Ambassador Francis Chua
He is the former special envoy of the Philippines to China and the Chairman of the Philippine Silkroad International Chamber of Commerce. He is the Chairman Emeritus of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). He founded the International Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines in 2015 and served as the first President. He is also the Honorary President of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce in the Philippines (FFCCCII). He is truly a pillar of the community and worthy of a Hall of Fame Award.
Outstanding Awardees
Dr. Rommel C. Banlaoi
He is the President of the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies (PACS). He is a Professorial Lecturer in the Department of International Studies at Miriam College and currently an Adjunct Research Professor at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS). He is a member of the Management Board of the World Association for Chinese Studies (WACS). He is also a board member of the China-Southeast Asia Research Center on the South China Sea (CSARC). He made waves through his published works promoting Philippines-China diplomacy, understanding, and friendly bilateral relations.
Herman "Ka-Mentong" Tiu Laurel
Ka Mentong, as he is popularly known, currently serves as the host of “Ang Maestro, The Unfinished Revolution” broadcasted by Radyo Pilipinas (RP1). He is also the host of an online podcast “Power Thinks” of the Global Talk News Radio (GTNR) and one of the hosts of a television show, “Opinyon Ngayon” aired on Golden Nations Network (GNN) every Friday. He is a pillar for his friends, listeners, and readers because of his factual reporting, most especially on issues and matters concerning the bilateral relations of the Philippines-China. His voice and passion for unbiased reporting are indeed commendable and worthy of the accolade.
Teresita Ang See (洪玉華)
She is the founding President of Kaisa Para Sa Kaunlaran. She now serves as Executive Trustee of the Kaisa Heritage Center, which houses Bahay Tsinoy, the Museum of the Chinese in Philippine life, and the Chinben See Memorial Library. With Kaisa as the publisher, she has written, edited, and co-edited 19 books. She also has served as past President of the prestigious International Society for the Study of Chinese Overseas (ISSCO) and the Philippine Association for Chinese Studies (PACS). She has played a significant role as a bridge of understanding, acceptance, and cohesion between Filipinos and Tsinoys (colloquial term for Chinese Filipinos). Bringing about unity and cohesion amid diversity is an important task she has undertaken and continues to undertake.
Dr. Lourdes Tanhueco-Nepomuceno
She is a Filipino with Chinese ancestry who takes pride in her bicultural roots. She is a visionary in her own right. She employs her knowledge and passion in aiding communities to bridge significant socio-cultural gaps through language and communication arts. She co-established the Confucius Institute at the Angeles University Foundation. In 2015, she was welcomed by the University of the Philippines-Diliman to lead the establishment of the Confucius Institute. She holds the distinction of being the pioneer Filipino Director of the Confucius Institute in UP Diliman.
Major Awardees
Professor Jaime A. FlorCruz
He is a veteran foreign correspondent in China. He was CNN’s Beijing Bureau Chief and correspondent, responsible for strategic planning of China’s network’s news coverage from 2001 to 2014. He served as the Chairman of the Fortune Global Forum, a global business and political leaders meeting in Beijing in 2005 and Chengdu, Sichuan Province in 2013, and again in Guangzhou in 2017. He is a Visiting Professor at Peking University and the Founding President of Peking University Overseas Students’ Alumni Association from 2012 to the present.
Dr. & Atty. Mario Leonardo Emilio O. Aportadera
He is both a practitioner of general medicine and general law in Iloilo. He was a faculty member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences of the University of San Agustin, Iloilo. As a physician, he taught BS Biology courses such as Human Anatomy and Parasitology. As a lawyer, he taught pre-law courses such as International Law, Political Theories, and Introduction to Law. He served as Editor-in-Chief of The Augustinian Mirror Magazine and was a delegate in the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Friendship Programme for the 21st Century from May to June 1986.
Adolfo "Ado" Quizon Paglinawan
“Ka-Ado,” as he is popularly known, is a Filipino journalist, public intellectual, and business professional with extensive experience in diverse fields. He served as Press Attache and Spokesman of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC from 1986 to 1993. He is the President and Editor-In-Chief of Sovereignph.com and currently serves as a co-host of “Ang Maestro, The Unfinished Revolution,” broadcasted by Radyo Pilipinas (RP1). He is also a co-host of an online podcast “Power Thinks” of the Global Talk News Radio (GTNR) and one of the hosts of a television show, “Opinyon Ngayon” aired on Golden Nations Network (GNN) every Friday. He wrote and authored two noteworthy books. The first one was entitled “A Problem for Every Solution.” The second book was entitled “No Vaccine for a Virus called Racism.”
John Nicolo Fredrik Fernandez
He is the youngest among the ten APPCU laureates. He is popularly known as “Teacher John Lucas” and “That Crazy Fun Teacher” was a 51Talk Teacher Brand Ambassador who had been on the platform for over three years. His passion for teaching made him become an online sensation in China because of his cool and engaging antics while conducting lessons. He loves to incorporate and promote Chinese culture into his videos. This significant attribute of his personality is seen through his innovative and creative videos on students’ birthdays, movie dubbing shows, and tongue twisters with Chinese students.