Florentino Sanico Solon (September 17, 1931 – June 17, 2020) was a Filipino nutritionist and politician who served as the mayor of Cebu City from 1978 to 1983. He served as the first executive director of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines in 1974 and as

Deputy Minister of Health Deputy or depute may refer to: * Steward (office) * Khalifa, an Arabic title that can signify "deputy" * Deputy (legislator), a legislator in many countries and regions, including: ** A member of a Chamber of Deputies, for example in Italy, Sp ...

from 1983 to 1986 during the presidency of

Ferdinand Marcos Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralin Marcos Sr. ( , , ; September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was a Filipino politician, lawyer, dictator, and kleptocrat who was the 10th president of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. He ruled under martial ...

Early life and education

Solon was born to Pio Palacio Solon and Ricarda Sanico Solon. He earned a master's degree in public health at University of the Philippines Manila and a doctor of medicine at University of Santo Tomas. He also obtained a diploma in nutrition from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

Early career

Solon started as a municipal health officer in Carmen, Cebu and later on worked for the regional office of the

Ministry of Health Ministry of Health may refer to: Note: Italics indicate now-defunct ministries. * Ministry of Health (Argentina) * Ministry of Health (Armenia) * Australia: ** Ministry of Health (New South Wales) * Ministry of Health (The Bahamas) * Ministry of ...

while being a lecturer at Cebu Institute of Medicine. He became the first executive director of the National Nutrition Council (NNC) on July 16, 1974 and founding director of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines in 1974. He served in the NNC until December 31, 1979 and was succeeded by Delfina Aguillon.

Political career

Appointed as mayor of Cebu City, Solon was sworn in by then President

on October 11, 1978 and assumed the position on October 16, 1978. Solon then took part in the

1980 elections The following elections occurred in the year 1980. Africa * 1980 Angolan legislative election * 1980 Cameroonian presidential election * 1980 Cape Verdean parliamentary election * 1980 Gabonese legislative election * 1980 Guinean legislative ...

where he was eventually elected as mayor along with Ronald Duterte as his vice mayor. During Solon's stint as mayor, the

Sinulog Festival The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City and is the centre of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines. The festival is considered to be the fi ...

was realized after David S. Odilao Jr., then regional director of the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, organized the first Sinulog parade involving several schools and eventually turned over the organizing of such to the Cebu City Historical Committee under Jesus B. Garcia Jr. In 1983, Solon was tapped by Marcos to serve as the deputy minister for health.

Personal life

Solon was married to Mercedes Aseniero. His son, Juan Antonio Aseniero Solon, is the current president of the Nutrition Center of the Philippines.

Death

Solon died at the age of 88 on June 17, 2020.

Selected publications

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References

External links

SPHERES Profile of Florentino S. Solon
, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Solon, Florentino 1931 births 2020 deaths People from Cebu City Cebuano people Mayors of Cebu City Filipino nutritionists Kilusang Bagong Lipunan politicians University of Santo Tomas alumni University of the Philippines Manila alumni Alumni of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine