Alimodian Firsts: Jacob Alzate Alger

Jacob Alzate Alger

First Alimodian Finance Officer of the Philippine Navy

     On April 21, 1928, the man who was to occupy one of the highest positions in the Finance Center of the Philippine Navy was born.

     After finishing his elementary and secondary education, Jacob A. Alger took and passed the entrance examination to the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, graduating in 1953.

     After his stint at the PMA, he took several post-graduate training courses allied with his military duties. He was also sent to the United States by the Armed Forces of the Philippines to further enhance his military abilities.

     From his first assignment in the FA Battery, 15th BCT, in Pampanga, Nueva Vizcaya, he served the different major services until he was assigned to the Marine Battalion as S-4 in 1957. He then worked his way up the ranks of the Philippine Navy Headquarters. From that year until his retirement in 1979, he was commanding officer of the Philippine Navy Finance Center.

Alimodian Firsts: Capt. Mauricio Alcon

Capt. Mauricio Alcon

First Aviator

      In October 1916, a son was born to Ambrosio Alcon and Felomina Alipala of this town. The boy was christened Mauricio, and he later became the first aviator of Alimodian.

      After finished his elementary and high school education, Maur, as the boy was fondly called, enlisted with the Philippine Constabulary at Fort San Pedro, Iloilo City in February 1936. But in September of the following year, he joined the newly-established Philippine Army Air Corps, now the Philippine Air Force, and began what he calls “my adventure into the wild blue yonder.” In order to qualify as flying cadet, he attended the National University in Manila to earn the required 50 units of college credit and made it in December 1941.

       During the Japanese Occupation, he served with the 9th Observation and Attack Squadron in Cebu, and the guerilla movement under Gen. Peralta. Unfortunately, he was wounded in action during the battle for liberation of Manila on February 9, 1944, thus ending his flying career.

       Not someone to remain idle for long, he remained with Philippine Armed Forces in the communication electronics field. In 1947, he, together with 49 other Filipino scholars, was sent to the United States for special studies in airways operation. When he finished the course, he was in the top ten.

       He retired from service on May 3, 1967, with the rank of full colonel. He and his wife Encarnacion Ambe, have four children.

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.