Alimodian Firsts: Dr. Emmanuel Anico

Dr. Emmanuel Anico

First Optometrist of Alimodian

      Emmanuel Anico was born to Jose Anico and Cristeta Alonsabe on December 25, 1941 in this town. He finished his elementary education at the Alimodian Central Elementary School in 1953 and his secondary education at the Alimodian High School in 1957.

      Since his younger days it has been his ambition to be an optometrist. So after graduating from high school, he pursued his college course at Centro Escolar University in Manila where he studied for three years. In his senior year, he transferred to Manila Central University where he graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Optometry in 1962. He passed the board the following year.

      He is happily married to Madolin Calisura with whom he has three children. He practiced his profession aside from being a former collection agent of the Bureau of Internal Revenue in this municipality.

Alimodian Firsts: Dr. Jose Altura

Dr. Jose Altura

First Dentist

      Although he no longer resides in this community, Alimodian is still proud of its first dentist, Dr. Jose Altura.

      The ninth child of Paulino Altura and Isidra Garay, the future Dr. Altura was born on March 5, 1910. He finished his elementary education from Alimodian Elementary School, graduating in 1925. He then proceeded to Iloilo High School, and later transferred to the Iloilo Institute where he obtained his high school certificate in 1930. From there, he studied at the National University in Manila where he graduated in 1938 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine.

     As a health practitioner, he has served with the Red Cross as junior dentist assigned in Iloilo and Cavite. During the war, he served as Chief Health Aider of the resistance movement led by Governors Tomas and Patricio Confesor. After the war, he became school dentist in Antique, rising through the ranks to become Division Dental Supervisor of that province.

    With many other members of the Altura family, Dr. Altura shares a love for music. He has conducted champion rondallas in competitions in Iloilo, Bacolod and Antique. He is also a talented composer. Aside from the 24 musical pieces that he has composed, he also did the libretto to three zarzuelas.

   He was married twice, first to Lourdes Alminaza of this community, and then to Iluminada Patino of San Jose, Antique. He has three children. He presently resides in San Jose, Antique.

Alimodian Firsts: Josefina Gimeno Villar

Mrs. Josefina Gimeno Villar

First Chemist of Alimodian

       Mrs. Josefina Gimeno Villar is the first chemist of Alimodian. She graduated from the Iloilo Normal School with an elementary teacher certificate. Not contented with it, she pursued her studies at the University of San Agustin and finished the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring mathematics. She taught mathematics at the former Alimodian High School for some years then transferred to the Bureau of Treasury, Manila. Her thirst for knowledge was not quenched not until she finished BS Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the Adamson University.

       Later, she was able to land a job in New York where she is still working. She married another engineer from the Bicol region. They resided at 87 Sherman Avenue, Williston Park, New York.

Alimodian Firsts: Engr. Arturo Amarra

Engr. Arturo Amarra

First Aeronautical Engineer and Professional Mechanical Engineer

       Engr. Arturo Amarra is the second son of the late Francisco Amarra and Teodosia Andutan.
       He is the first aeronautical engineer of Alimodian. Aside from being an aeronautical engineer, he is also a professional mechanical engineer.
       He is married to Cristeta Belardo, a holder of MA in Home Economics. She hails from Bago City, Negros Occidental.
       The couple has seven children who are professionals: Archimedes, manager of Union Bank; Ma. Milagros, doctor of medicine; Francisco, supervisor, Shell Refinery, Batangas City; Veronica, architect; Asteria, industrial engineer; Agustin, mechanical engineering student; Abraham, BSC, major in Agri. Business.
       Engr. Amarra has been the International Sugar Consultant of Marubeni Corporation.

Alimodian Firsts: Dolores Soberano

Mrs. Dolores Soberano

First Female BSE Graduate of Alimodian

        Mrs. Dolores Alvior Soberano, daughter of President Gregorio Alvior, is the first femae BSE graduate of Alimodian.

Alimodian Firsts: Casimiro Allones

Mr. Casimiro Allones

First District Supervisor

        Mr. Casimiro Allones saw the first light of day on February 24, 1911, the son of Anecito Allones and Tomasa Canonero, both natives of this town.

        He obtained his elementary and secondary education from Alimodian Central School and Iloilo Normal School, respectively. He finished his Junior Teacher Education Course from the Philippine Normal School before finally obtaining his education degree from the University of San Agustin.

        Right after graduation, he served as classroom teacher at Alimodian Central School from 1937 until the war broke out in 1941. During the years, he served the Philippine Army as 2nd Lieutenant in the 63rd Infantry Regiment.

        In 1946, when peace again reigned, Mr. Allones was promoted principal of Jordan Central School in Guimaras. He stayed there for a year and then was transferred to four other schools during the next 22 years.

        Finally, he was promoted to district supervisor of Leon district in 1961. In 1969, he was transferred to San Miguel and he stayed there until his retirement in 1977.

       He was married twice, first to Gertrudis Amparo, and then to Lourdes Amparo. He has nine children.

Alimodian Firsts: Remedios Anam

Miss Remedios Anam

First Female District Supervisor

       No educator has done much for the education of our youth than Miss Remedios Anam. This lady, who is small in size but big in ideas was born on April 29, 1911 in this town to Basilio Anam and Josefa Anayas.

       Mediong, as she is fondly called by her friends, graduated valedictorian in the Alimodian Elementary School and third honors in the Iloilo Normal School, now the West Visayas State University. She finished her BSE in Manila Quezon College. She has been grades school teacher from 1931 to 1950. Then in 1951 she was promoted principal of Jordan Elementary School. In 1956 she was again promoted as district supervisor in Duenas District and served in that position until 1964.

       It is often said that although how long the procession is, it has all the possibilities of returning to its place of origin. Then in 1965 Miss Anam was transferred to her native town where she spend the remaining years of her teaching career until her retirement on April 29, 1976.

      Miss Anam spent 46 years of her life in the education of our youth that she even forgot to take a life partner. This little lady deserves the veneration of all Alimodiananons who have been under her tutelage in the grades school. She died in 1998.