Recognizing an Unheralded Accomplishment

TANOCAL is proud to lead all Tagbilaranons all over the world to recognize

Mr. Natalio Dahab Tabaco, a humble Tagbilaranon who accomplished an exceptional feat of being the First Filipino International Civil Service Career Person by joining the United Nations during its founding years in 1946 and serving until his retirement in 1980.

In the history of Filipino migration to the U.S., he too is the first, long before the "second wave" (migration of professionals) started in the early 1960s.

The U.N. press release plaque issued by the Office of Public Information.

Below is the text of the plaque:

 Mr. Tabaco is featured in the book "The Filipino-Americans From 1763 to the Present: Their History, Culture, and Traditions," by Veltisezar Bautista, which carries the following citation:

"A World War II veteran, Natalio D. Tabaco holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to be recruited by the United Nations Secretariat in 1946. Born on July 27, 1918 in Barrio (now Barangay) Taloto, Tagbilaran, Bohol, Tabaco received the United Nations Peace Medal for outstanding service to the U.N. in 1976. This is the highest medal of honor given to an individual working for the cause of international peace through the United Nations."

 (Natalio died of natural causes on December 10, 2007 in New Hyde Park, NY. He is buried with his wife here on Long Island, NY, against his wishes. His children would and could not carry out his wish to be burried back in Taloto. R.I.P. - Joey Tabaco)

SECRETARY-GENERAL PRESENT UNITED NATIONS PEACE MEDAL TO NATALIO D. TABACO

SECRETARY-GENERAL KURT WALDHEIM TODAY PRESENTED AT HEADQUARTERS THE 1976 UNITED NATIONS PEACE MEDAL TO NATALIO D. TABACO OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARIAT.

MR. TABACO, THE UNITED NATIONS' FIRST FILIPINO RECRUIT IS ALSO ITS FIRST SECRETARIAT EMPLOYEE TO BE AWARDED THE PEACE MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE CAUSE OF UNITED NATIONS PEACE EFFORTS.