TOYM awardee admits award compels him to push for excellence

By NINFA B. QUIRANTE (PIA Samar)
January 12, 2007

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  Twelve Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee Romeo Federico Quimbo, Chairman/Executive Officer (CEO) of Pag-Ibig Fund admits his award compels him to strive for excellence.

In a phone interview, Miro as fondly called by his friends bared that while others regard awards as an end in itself, he feels it an additional responsibility to achieve more.

He said he entered Pag-Ibig only in 2001 as deputy CEO. He said he initiated reforms to show that a government can be at par with the private sector.

His initiated reforms paid off when Pag-Ibig became the 8th largest in net income in 2005.

“Only the giant telecommunications company were ahead of us “the young Quimbo added.

In the housing program, Miro proudly bared that they had a 300% increased Output in four-year time.

The TOYM awardee who traces his roots to Catbalogan, Samar said he intends to stay with Pag-Ibig until 2010, after that he plans to move somewhere else.

“I want to give way to others who may have better ideas,” he humbly explained.

UP close and personal

The young Quimbo who still speak flawless Waray is married to a daughter of DOST Secretary Estrella Alabastro and they have two very young sons.

As a student at UP Law School, he said he was not really the so called valedictorian, “safe it is  to say that I just belong to the top 20.”

Miro as young UP stude said he was involved in UP activism and other outreach programs.

Though Miro left Catbalogan while he was an elementary he found memories of the place still vivid. He remembers his childhood activities with playmates Gerry Muñoz and now Catbalogan Vice Mayor Van Torrevillas.

Miro likes to recall his trips to Imelda Park, Payao Beach and the small town celebration of school and church events even the Sisters of charity rituals he remembers.

Buddy, Gerry Muñoz, recalls that as young children they would race to the Grandstand (Sports Oval in downtown Catbalogan) whenever a helicopter would be heard. The experience of seeing a helicopter for them was unforgettable and that the VIP they see aboard the helicopter kept them in awe.

When Miro boarded a helicopter with Kabayan Noli de Castro (to inspect housing project) and landed right there in the same oval where he and playmates frolicked in younger days, Miro and Gerry remembered ‘those days” and like them young boys ogled at Kabayan and Miro.

“Little did Miro know it would also happen to him, “ Gerry offered grinning.

“That is why,”  Miro said, “ I wish my kababayan  will not put limit in their goals.”

In a family of ten children, life was not all comfort for the youngest Miro, but overcoming the challenges; most of his siblings went to law school and successfully hurdled the difficulties.

Miro wants to inspire his fellow Samarnons to hit the challenge.

“While the struggle for Manileños is a little uphill, ours is most uphill but with the right perspective, one from a small town Catbalogan can excel.” Miro explained.