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, Indigenous Cultures, and Tourism Development.


In research and literary works, Prof. Larena has dedicated much of his historical scholarship to documenting his ancestral home through major presentation works such as Historia Política de Vallehermoso and research on the prominent women and lost heritage of Vallehermoso, such as the Hermoso Geopano family of Puan. His writings and public talks frequently cover local Negrense revolutionary history, WWII narratives, local genealogies, and regional heritage preservation. Within arts and culture, he was shortlisted for the Outstanding Dumagueteño Awards (ODA) in Arts, Culture & Heritage during Dumaguete’s 75th Diamond Jubilee, served as Provincial Coordinator for National Indigenous People Month, and moderated student arts organizations such as the Paulinian Arts Society and the SPUD Paulinian Photographers Guild. In civic and cooperative sectors, he served as Vice President of Consumers Alliance Inc. (CAI) advocacy groups, engaged with community cooperative initiatives, and rose to Knight Grand Officer of Rizal (KGOR) within the Order of the Knights of Rizal. 

Villegas Geopano Clan 


In Boy Scout leadership, Prof. Larena has been an active member of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) Negros Oriental Chapter since 1987 and a member of Silliman University Rover Scout Circle 01 (Batch 1999). He has served as Outfit Adviser for the St. Paul University Scouting Troop, Local Council Executive Board Member and Commissioner for Rover Scouting for the BSP Negros Oriental-Siquijor Council, and Visayas Vice President for the BSP Visayas Cluster Humanitarian Action Core Council and DRRM Visayas Cluster. His long-standing service earned him the BSP National Bronze Service Award (2020), Silver Service Award (2021), and the BSP Gold Service National Award during the Council's 75th Diamond Jubilee.



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