Norma Demafelis Palomata
Category: Significant Personality
District: Nabas
Contents
Background Information
Date of Birth: April 4, 1940
Prominence: Politics
Birth Place: Poblacion, Nabas, Aklan
Present Address: Poblacion, Nabas, Aklan
Age: 83
Biography
Norma D. Palomata is born on April 4, 1940, to parents who valued education so much. She is the second among five children, and four girls out of these five are in the field of education. She took her elementary education in Nabas Elementary School and graduated as an outstanding pupil in 1952. She finished her secondary education in Western Aklan Academy in 1956. She studied her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at Aklan College, Kalibo, Aklan in 1960, and graduated Master of Arts in Education majoring in Guidance and Counselling in Baguio Vacation Normal School from summer 1961 to 1965. She had her Master of Arts in Education majoring in Administration and Supervision at Aklan College in 1983 and graduated Cum Laude. She took up her Complete Academic Requirements in Doctor of Philosophy, at the University of San Agustin extension from 1986 to 1989.
Mrs. Norma D. Palomata then conferred her Civil Service Eligibility. She continued to achieve new goals as she passed her Senior Teacher Regular on April 19, 1961 followed by the General Clerical Examination on June 28, 1970. She has found the love of her life in the person of Mr. Cognito D. Palomata Sr., a retired Radio Technician and a former Sangguniang Bayan Member in the Municipality of Nabas. They have four children, and all of them are successful in their chosen careers.
Her regular teaching job as an elementary grade teacher was in Iloilo American School from 1960 to 1962, then transferred to Nabas Elementary School, her hometown from June 17, 1962, to 1972. She was given the opportunity to be a full-time District Guidance and English Coordinator from 1972 to 1978. Her leadership skills shone among others, making her promotion to public elementary school head in Gibon Elementary School, in the District of Nabas from Dec. 12, 1978, to Dec. 5, 1979. Followed by another promotion as Elementary School Principal I in Gibon Elementary School from Dec. 6, 1979, to April 09, 1986. She became Principal II from April 10, 1986, to October 9, 1988, in Ibajay Central School, Ibajay, Aklan. She was transferred again to Nabas Elementary School as Principal III from October 10, 1988, to May 21, 1990, and eventually, she was promoted to District Supervisor in Nabas District on May 22, 1990, until her retirement on April 04, 2005.
Mrs. Norma D. Palomata became the district supervisor of the three districts namely: the district of Ibajay, Nabas and Buruanga. There were instances that she handled two districts at the same time, with Sir Arthur S. Juada as the Schools Division Superintendent. Though she supervised two districts at the same time, she still managed to teach in graduate studies during Saturdays at Northwestern Visayan College, Kalibo, Aklan.
Under her leadership, the district of Nabas received the Most Outstanding Decentralized Learning Resource (DLRC) at the Regional Level. Likewise, in 1995 the District of Nabas, obtained a Mean Percentage Score of 75% and above in the Division Achievement Test in Araling Panlipunan and English subjects. Moreover, the district of Ibajay, acquired the Most Functional Home Economics building in the Regional Level.
Significance
Historical
Norma D. Palomata embarks on the standards of qualities of both professional and visionary leaders. Her dreams and hopes are for the welfare and goodness of her school, teachers, and the school community, especially for the children. She initiated the building of Nabas Elementary School stage, which became the venue of school and even district activities. Since there was no available Maintenance Other Operating Expenses at that time, she used all the possible resources she can find to materialize the project.
She is also the former president of the Nabas Public School Teachers Association (NAPSTA), and after some time became one of the board of directors. NAPSTA aims to help and give financial aid to teachers’ hospitalization and medical operation expenses. Death aid is given to the bereaved family of the NAPSTA members during the necrological program, to at least help augment their financial struggle.
Aesthetic
Sitio Cumarascas is said to have obtained its name from the residents who enjoy playing string instruments. Blumentritt Laserna had also an aesthetic side apart from being a politician during his days. Being a bonafide resident of the later, he also loves music and reported to be a good singer and a musician. His favorite instrument was guitar and he had been performing music every after dinner in his home with his family.
Manang Biday, Dandansoy, Osahay, Ang Bayo Kung Gisi, and other Filipino songs were among those he sang with his guitar. Music was used to court a beautiful lady during his time. Blumentritt, who was a good singer, occasionally accompanied his friends when they courted. This was one of the community's rich traditions.
“Music is an art that promotes pleasant feeling.” Blu believed that all his weary, disappointments, and hard feeling faded away after he listened to music and play his guitar. Music has been his refuge aside from God and family.
Social and Economic
Even after her retirement, she is proactive and attends social graces like alumni and school programs. She has been constantly invited to school programs as guest speaker; to give inspirational messages to the pupils and students.
Norma D. Palomata is a generous and loving person. She feels deep sorrow when one of her colleagues passes away; that is why she extends help to the retired teachers. She is the former president of Nabas Teacher’s Retirees Association (NAPSTRA) and presently serves as an adviser. She sees to it that the retired teachers are given financial help and importance in the twilight days of their lives.
Spiritual
During their younger years, the Palomatas were active members of Couples for Christ, where they held prayer meetings. Nowadays, she prays her daily rosary and attends Sunday Mass through television viewing because of the pandemic.
References
| KEY INFORMANTS: | NORMA D. PALOMATA |
| REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES: | Personal Account Service Records and certificates |
| NAME OF PROFILER/MAPPER: | JENELYN F. PALOMATA |
| LANGUAGE EDITOR: | JUVINNA R. DELA CRUZ ANJIHIELYN MAE C. CAHILIG |
| LAYOUT ARTIST: | SALVIE MARIE A. FUENTES |
| CONTENT EVALUATORS: | JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE DENNIS E. BONTOGON |
| WIKI EDITOR: | HENRYLYN B. NALANGAN |
| APPROVED: | RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD Education Program Supervisor |
| DATE PROFILED: | JUNE 23, 2023 |
