Rafael "Raffy" Puchero Nantes was the governor of the Province of Quezon, Philippines from 2007 to 2010. He was the national treasurer of the Liberal Party of the Philippines. He first served as a congressman of the 1st District of Quezon from 1998 to 2007.
Early life
He was born on January 4, 1957 in Polillo, Quezon to Dr. Alban Nantes and Eufemia Puchero. As a boy, he grew up with his grandmother Eleuteria, fondly called Nana Teryang, who was a fish dealer. Raffy helped in selling fish going from house to house. When their family moved to Manila and transferred near Camp Aguinaldo, he became a shoeshine boy, shining shoes of generals and other officers in the Camp, to have needed funds for his studies and daily family expenses.
Personal life
He was married to Betty Buenaobra, the President of People's International Enterprises Company. They had only one son named Samuel, who served as vice-governor of the Province of Quezon.
People's International Enterprises Company – President and general manager
Awards received
Kapalaran Award 2002, Asia Pacific Youth Outreach Development, Inc. on July 27, 2002
Handog kay Itay – 2002 Celebrity Father Awardee for Public Service, 22nd National Celebration of Father's Day, June 16, 2002
Gawad Makamasa – Gawad Lingkod Uliran Award, May 25, 2002
Hall of Fame Award – Top 20 Most Accomplished Personalities of the Philippines on May 12, 2002
Leadership for Progress Awards 2002: Outstanding Congressman of the Year, Civic and Political Leader of the Philippines. Media Writer's Research for Community Development and Progress, Inc., March 16, 2002
Most Consistent Outstanding Congressman for the Three Consecutive Years on February 6, 2002 – by Congress Magazine, Makati Graduate School, Berhard Lending Investments and Reserved Soldiers Union Who's Who in the Philippines: 18th Annual People's Choice Awards, Huwarang Filipino Awardee for Government and Public Service On September 17, 2000
Most Outstanding Legislator Award, Media Excellence Awards for Progress 2000 – Philippine Media Research and Progress Report Inc.,
September 9, 2000
Most Outstanding Congressman – 11th Congress – by Phoenix Express Press Club, February 2, 2002
Most Outstanding Neophyte Congressman of the 11th Congress on December 15, 1999 – by Congress Magazine, Makati Graduate School,
Berthard Lending Investments and Franco Cultural Properties Explosion System.
Kapatiran Award 2002, Asia Pacific Youth Outreach Development, Inc., on July 27, 2002
The Golden Record of Excellence Award for Outstanding Inventor and Mechanical Engineer, Best in Entrepreneurship, given by the Sons and Daughters of Charity, Inc.
1998 Infanta Lions Club Leadership Awardee Outstanding Triskelion Awardee – by Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity
International Region, U.S.A.
Southern Tagalog Inventors Association Awardee
Recipient of Appreciation from the National University Alumni Foundation Inc., for exemplary achievements in PUBLIC SERVICE and ENTREPRENEURSHIP, July 2000
Kapatiran Award 2002, Asia Pacific Youth Outreach Development, Inc. on July 27, 2002
Best Utility Model Awardee – DOST Inventor's Week, November 2000
Parangal ng Bayan 2001 and Who's Who in the Philippines National Excellence Awardee for Government and Public Service.
Death
Governor Raffy P. Nantes, fondly called as "Kuya Raffy", died in a helicopter accident that crashed into two houses at Jael Subdivision 1, Barangay Iyam, Lucena City on Monday, May 17, 2010, about 3:15 p.m. He had just attended a regular weekly flag raising ceremony at Quezon Convention Center in Kapitolyo, Lucena City, Quezon, Philippines.
