An Epitome of Military Professionalism
by: Mrs Lydia V Cabajar
The 51st Enginer Brigade is very fortunate to have among its fold an Army Engineer who have had reached the top floor of Army and AFP leadership...GEN RIGOBERTO J ATIENZA
This officer had so much positive and sterling attributes that reading his summary of achievements and contributions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines will leave one into wiching that may his tribe increase.
Born on January 4, 1911 in Manila to Buenaventura Atienza and Ponciana Joaquin, the young Rigoberto showed brilliance of his mind when he graduated valedictorian at the Manila Suth High School in 1929.
He was a holder of Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines in 1934. He was the first engineering student to the new editor of UP's official student organization, the Philippie Collegian.
As a practicing civili engineer with the Barredo COnstruction Company in 1934, he was one of those responsible for the consturction and installation f the water tank located in fromt of Gate 1 of then Camp Murphy (so called Camp Gen Emilio Aguinalso at present) in Quezon City and the Ayala Bridge in Manila.
Again, Gen Atienza displayed his gift of intelligence when he topped his class at the REserve Officer Service School in Baguio when he entered the military profession in 1936
his sitnt with the 41st Engineer Battalion, 41st Divison, Philippine Amry, as its COmmanding Officer, left a long lasting impression on him as a leader. He was cited for his greatest value as the diviosn engineer.
As expected, on July 13, 1965, Gen Atienza was appointed Chief of Staff of the HPilippines where he was laid down his five guiding principles of leadership anf management:
- humanness and fairness
- maximum efficiency at minimum cost
- valid standard of performance
- continuity of effort
- abiding by our country, on people and in God
He also became Senior Military Adviser of th elate Pres Marcos upon his retirement from the active service due to ill health. The General rendered his final salute and joined his Creator on October 3,1966