Amalia Geopano and Alejo Amor
Amalia and Alejo Amor
Posts
Grandson of Vallehermoso Negros Oriental
Josefino "Penn" Tulabing Larena Jr. (also known as Prof. Penn T. Larena) traces his maternal family roots directly to the historic town of Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental. Through his lineage, he is a proud descendant of prominent old Spanish and local pioneer lines in the area, including the Hermoso, Olladas, Serion, Bernus, Villegas, and Geopano families. His maternal ancestral ties link him directly to the legacy of Don Diego de la Viña—the revolutionary leader who helped liberate Negros Oriental and named the "beautiful valley" of Vallehermoso. Academically, Prof. Larena earned a Master in Public Administration (MPA) and a Certificate in Professional Education (CPE) from St. Paul University Dumaguete, as well as 30 graduate units toward a Master of Arts in History from Negros Oriental State University. He served for over eight years as a tourism educator and college faculty member at St. Paul University Dumaguete, specializing in Philippine History, Indig...
Villegas-Geopano sisters
(seated) Lola Doni, Lola Tuti, (standing) Lola Inday, and (not strict) Lola Malying, my Dad’s mother. These four Villegas-Geopano sisters were strong, raising their families through some of the most tumultuous periods in Philippine history. Text & Photo from Adlai Amor
THE VILLEGAS-DE LA VIÑA HISTORY LECTURE SERIES (2ND EDITION)
Join us as we explore the rich historical narratives of Negros Oriental! The Department of History & Political Science at Silliman University proudly presents the second edition of the Villegas-De La Viña History Lecture Series. This edition features an insightful dive into municipal political developments with distinguished historian, educator, and local heritage advocate, Dr. Jojema D. Indab. EVENT DETAILS Topic: “The Political History of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental” Speaker: Dr. Jojema D. Indab ( Political Historian, Educator, Researcher & Local History Advocate) Date: August 19, 2026 (Wednesday) Time: 3:00 PM Venue: Multi-Purpose Room, Silliman University Main Library Complex This initiative is made possible through the generosity of the Geopano-Amor Family, who funded the lecture series via the Amor Endowments to advance local history research, preservation, and scholarship across the Philippines.
