Ma. Daphne Ycay-Orbista Villorente
Contents
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DATE OF BIRTH: May 24, 1942
DATE OF DEATH: Not Applicable
PROMINENCE: Education
BIRTH PLACE: Poblacion, Libacao, Aklan
PRESENT ADDRESS: Poblacion, Libacao, Aklan
AGE: 81 yrs. Old
BIOGRAPHY
Every time Dr. Ma. Daphne Y.O. Villorente is invited to speak, she begins her remarks with, "Life on Earth is a temporary assignment. Our real home is in heaven. For we pass this world but once. Any good that we can do for our fellowmen, therefore, let us not defer or neglect it for we shall not pass this way again. Everything that happens in this world happens at a time that God chooses.
A baby named Ma. Daphne had just been born amid the commotion of the start of the Second World War when the Japanese occupation began on May 24, 1942, a faint cry could be heard above the frantic and deafening cries of the Filipino people for freedom. A woman who has dedicated her life to serving the people of Libacao in various capacities is rich in all things—strength, grace, and success which she claims that the above -mentioned passage was the best thing she has ever said in her entire life.
Ma. Daphne Ycay-Orbista Villorente, a vigorous woman who had spent forty-four (44) productive and fruitful years in the Department of Education. She was one of the few who has earned the reputation of being one of Aklan’s finest mentors and school administrators. She retired at the age of sixty-five (65).
She stressed her philosophy in life, "We the elders are the models of the youth. We should set the example of integrity, wholesomeness, and consistency”. This woman was raised to value education by her parents, former Vice Mayor of Libacao, Santos N. Orbista and Coronacion Y. Orbista, a former public elementary school teacher. Engr. Geraldito A. Villorente, a former mayor of Libacao, is her husband. The marriage was blessed with three children, namely: Gabriel Dennis, Gilbert Dexter, and Gerald Dave, all of whom are professionals and successful; two live outside the country, and the youngest is the chief nurse at Libacao Municipal Infirmary, Libacao.
Dr. Ma. Daphne Y.O. Villorente is a Doctor of Philosophy graduated from Gregorio Araneta University Foundation in Malabon, Manila presently known as De La Salle Araneta University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education at Far Eastern University in Manila and Bachelor of Elementary Education at San Agustin University in Iloilo.
She completed her secondary education at Aklan College in Kalibo, her elementary grades 1 to 4 at Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, and her grade 5 and 6 at Libacao Elementary School.
She shares, "I wanted to be a doctor of medicine, but God didn't permit me. I wanted to be a lawyer, but God didn't permit me. He wanted me to become a teacher, for teaching is not just a profession; it is a calling from God." This is the untold story of a strong-willed woman as she desires not an educator as her first dream.
In 1965, a school was opened as a barangay high school in the town of Libacao and was named Libacao Barangay High School by Secretary of Education Juan Manuel.
By that time, Dr. Villorente was the district principal of Libacao Central Elementary School and by virtue of recommendation of the municipal mayor of Libacao she was then appointed principal in charge of Libacao Barangay High School.
Her goal by that time is to have the school nationalized. It was never a simple undertaking due to the numerous regulations, such as converting the school first into Libacao Municipal High School. She gathered legal support and asked Assemblyman Jose " Soning " Tumbukon to pass a bill for its nationalization.
The stigma attached to her efforts is highlighted by the fact that she had to pay for her own travel because the municipal government had not provided any funding. She had a miscarriage during her eight-month pregnancy because of stress of work and travel, which added to the agony. When asked if she would rather keep the baby alive or keep herself alive, she replied, "I am ready to face the Lord at any time because what I am doing is for the good of this school and the community."Dr. Villorente responded.
She dedicated her son's passing as school's guardian angel and says she still believes God has many missions for her to complete despite what happened. Eventually, the Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School became a national institution.
She was about to migrate to the United States once she retired because her application for a teaching license in New York had been approved. She was offered a starting salary of $5,000 during the interview, but she turned it down. She considered the plea of the parish priest, Rev. Fr. Zaldy B. Zarandin to manage the opening of St. Catherine Alexandria Catholic School Incorporated (SCACSI). According to her, accepting the offer to manage the school was God’s mission for her.
She continues to serve God and the people, whom she considered to be God's gifts. Though she is 81 years old, she never tires of giving her all as the principal and school administrator of St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic School Inc., a private elementary school in Poblacion Libacao, Aklan.
SIGNIFICANCE
Historical
Dr. Ma. Daphne Y.O. Villorente is one of the pillars of Deped Libacao when it comes to program implementation. Her most notable accomplishment is the nationalization of the secondary schools in the Libacao District, namely Loctuga National High School, Alfonso XII National High School, Guadalupe National High School, and Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School.
Dalagsaan Primary School which only offered grade one and 98% of illiteracy rate hence, complete elementary were filled because of her efforts.
Former primary schools that converted to elementary schools included Calacabian Elementary School, Rosal Elementary School, Manika Elementary School, Dalagsaan Elementary School. During her term as supervisor, Maytaraw and Taroytoy, two primary schools, opened in the farthest barangays of Libacao. She endured many miles of walking to make sure that children in isolated areas receive quality education. And lastly Libacao Elementary School was changed to Central Elementary School (LCES) by her.
Aesthetic
She was given excellent achievement award by the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Supreme Council, Manila, during the search for the prettiest park and memorial for a national hero constructed in Libacao Town Plaza during the centennial year.
Social
Dr. Ma. Daphne Y.O. Villorente was named Outstanding Aklanon at the 52nd Aklan Anniversary Celebration in 2008. Dr. Pilar L. Pascual, Director of DECSRO VI, recognized her as an outstanding public school district supervisor.
On September 28, 1998, she received the Silver Excellence Award, Outstanding Implementer of DECS Programs and Thrusts, Superintendents Award, and Certificate of Recognition.
Socio-Economic
The Philippine Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Areas and USWAG Development Foundation, Inc. presented her with an appreciation plaque for her successful contribution to the implementation of the project titled Literacy Towards Sustainable Integrated Area Development under the Functional Education and Literacy Program of the Bureau of Non-Formal Education, Department of Education, Culture, and Sports.
In 2011, she gained the title Outstanding Taxpayer for being the top taxpayer in real property tax in the municipality of Libacao, Aklan, for fiscal year 2011.
Spiritual
Dr. Ma. Daphne Y.O. Villorente was the founder of Catholic Women’s League (CWL) Libacao in 1980. She takes the initiative to send assistance to typhoon-affected areas. Her group also provides financial support for the construction of St. Catherine of Alexandria Church. She actively contributed to the community by providing scholarships to the unfortunate families and feeding the kids in the underprivileged barangays of Libacao, helping families who were severely impacted when Typhoon Yolanda hit the nation as well as providing aid and supplies to those affected by the sudden fire happened in Libacao.
WORKS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Awards
1. Excellent achievement award by the Order of the Knights of Rizal, Supreme Council, Manila
2. Outstanding Aklanon at the 52nd Aklan Anniversary Celebration in 2008.
3. Outstanding Taxpayer in Real Property Tax in the municipality of Libacao, Aklan.
4. Silver Excellence Award for Outstanding Implementer of DECS Programs and Thrusts
5. Outstanding Public School District Supervisor.
6. Harvest Excellence Award.
REFERENCES AND OTHER SOURCES
Photo Credit: Bitu-in Z. Suganob
June 23, 2023
| KEY INFORMANT/S: | DR. MA. DAPHNE Y.O. VILLORENTE Retired Schools District Supervisor, District of Libacao GERALD DAVE O. VILLORENTE (son) |
| REFERENCE/S AND OTHER RESOURCES: | |
| NAME OF PROFILER/ MAPPER | LUVEL S. KIMPO Teacher III, Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School |
| LANGUAGE EDITOR | MA. LOURDES LIZZETTE Z. REMOLA, PhD Master Teacher II, Libacao Central Elementary School |
| LAYOUT ARTIST | BITU-IN Z. SUGANOB Teacher III, Libacao National Forestry Vocational High School |
| CONTENT EVALUATORS | JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE Teacher III, Regional Science High School for Region VI DENNIS E. BONTOGON |
| WIKI EDITOR | JOHANNAH MARIZ B. VILLORENTE Teacher III, Calamcan Elementary School |
| APPROVED | RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD Education Program Supervisor |
| DATE PROFILED | May 6, 2023 |
