Presidents
(Arranged chronologically by their administration)

Presidents of The New Granada

Manuel María Mallarino (1808-1872)
Presidential term: 1855-1857
Born in Cali.

Presidents of the Republic of Colombia

Eliseo Payán (1825-1895)
Presidential term: 1886-1887
Born in Cali.

Manuel Antonio Sanclemente (1813-1902)
Presidential term: 1898-1900
Born in Buga.

General Jorge Holguín Mallarino (1848-1928)
Presidential term: 1921-1922
Born in Cali.

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Scientists

Nubia Muñoz – Physician Scientist
Prominent Dr. Nubia Muñoz obtained the degree of Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from Universidad del Valle, Faculty of Medicine, in Cali, Colombia. Her professional interest soon moved to the fields of virology and epidemiology. She received her training in those disciplines at the US National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.
This work took her to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon France in the 1970’s taking charge of her own research unit in the mid 1980’s. Her main research interest at that time was in esophageal cancer, helicobacter pylori, liver cancer and hepatitis B and C viruses. Though, Dr Muñoz had an ongoing interest in cancer of the uterine cervix and its relationship with the human papilloma virus (HPV). She carried out several studies in more than 40 countries as head of the Epidemiology Unit of the International Center. Thanks to these studies, pharmaceutical companies developed prophylactic vaccines against certain types of HPV.
The International Epidemiology Association nominated her for the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 2008.
Dr Muñoz retired from her post at IARC in 2002, but has continued to play a major role as Emeritus Scientist, at the National Cancer Institute of Colombia, She is as well a visiting Scientist at Catalan Institute of Oncology, in Barcelona, Spain.
She has been the recipient of many awards and prizes, including
the "Distinguished Alumni" title and member of the "Society of Scholars" from Johns Hopkins University.; The "Outstanding Epidemiologist Award" from three Societies for Epidemiologic Research in North America, the Atlantico Cancer Research Prize The International Epidemiological Association awarded the "Sir Richard Doll" Prize in Epidemiology to Dr. Muñoz. She received as well, the "Sir Richard Doll" Prize in Epidemiology granted by the "Charles Rodolphe Brupbacher Prize" for cancer research, from the Brupbacher Foundation in Zurich. Muñoz, was the recipient of the highly prestigious "Canada Gairdner Global Health Award" in 2009, She was decorated with the Medal of Honor by IARC in Lyon and was named "Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur" in France.
In Colombia she was the recipient of the Alejandro Angel Foundation Prize , which is the most important award in research granted by the country. She has been honoured with ‘Doctor Honoris Causa' Degree from Universidad de Antioquia, She has received several awards from Universidad del Valle. She is an honorary member of the National Academy of Medicine. In 2011 she was decorated with the Cross of Boyaca by President Juan Manuel Santos.. The scientist was born in Cali.

Raúl Cuero – Scientist and researcher.
The brilliant scientist, Raúl Cuero, is a biologist from the University of El Valle, with a master's degree in Biology and Plant Pathology from Ohio University and a doctorate in Microbiology from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow ( Scotland ). He has been working for the past 17 years in the laboratories of the Prairie View A&M University in Texas and, in addition, he is a microbiologist with NASA.
He has received many distinctions such as the Order of Simón Bolívar from the government of Colombia in 2004. In 2007, he was awarded a Certificate of Recognition by NASA for his work "Effective Removal of Radionuclides Contamination such as Uranium and Toxic Metals, Using Martian Simulant Soil (Volcanic Ash)".  In May 2008 he was honoured by the Texas A&M University at the 2008 Patent and Innovation Awards.
Dr. Cuero is the author of the book "Triumph and Survival".
He was born in Buenaventura in 1948.

Religious Figures

His Eminence Cardinal Pedro Rubiano Sáenz.
He was made Cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001. He is currently the Archbishop of Bogota. Cardinal Rubiano was born in Cartago in 1932.

Writers, Poets and Intellectuals
(Arranged by date of birth)

Eustaquio Palacios (1830-1898) – Novelist, grammarian.
Known for writing popular history novels in the 19th century, Palacios' most notable work was El Alférez Real ( The Royal Officer). It was first published in 1886 in Cali and quickly became one of the most widely read novels in Colombia.
Palacios' other important works include Explanation of Latin Sentences and Elements of Grammar and Spanish Literature. Palacios was born in Roldanillo.

Jorge Isaacs (1837-1895) – Writer and poet.
Isaacs penned the most beautiful Colombian romantic novel Maria, in 1867. He was recognized internationally . Maria was reprinted in Spain, Argentina, Mexico, France and the United States.
His penmanship did not stop there as he wrote other significant books including The Motilones, The Radical Revolution of Antioquia and Studies on the Native Tribes of the State of Magdalena. His repertoire also included poetry which was first published in the mid-20th century.
Some historians locate his place of birth in Quibdó (Chocó). Some others say he was born in Cali.

Manuel Antonio Bonilla (1872-1949) – Writer, poet, grammarian, professor and academic.
This writer's classical style and poetic inspiration led him to be honoured with numerous prizes. Such honours include awards from the Colombian Academy of the Spanish Language (which he was also a member) and first place in a Venezuelan Academy of Spanish Language contest.
His significant works comprise Miguel Antonio Caro and his Work, Literary Orientation, The Triumphant Word and The Native Country Language. He was born in La Victoria.

Ricardo Nieto (1878-1952) – Poet, storyteller, lecturer and journalist.
Nieto was both an admired and respected writer, whilst being considered irreproachable by those who knew him. His poetry is comprised in his various books, Evening Songs, The Prayer of the Dew and Caucana Land . He was born in Palmira.

Carlos Villafañe (1882-1959) – Writer and poet.
He is considered as being the first columnist of the Centenary. He is also known for his humorous newspaper columns. With the Tic Tic pseudonym, he was able to publish Chronicles of Bogota in many newspapers throughout the country. He most frequently published in El Tiempo. His work extended from columns into books such as Land of the Soul, Sad Naivety and Memories of a Forgetful Human Beign. He was born in Roldanillo.

Mario Carvajal (1896-1972) – Writer, educator and poet.
An excellent writer and educator, Carvajal received his doctorate in Philosophy and Letters of the University of El Rosario of Bogota. He served as the Principal of the University of El Valle and was a member of the Colombian Academy of the Spanish Language.
His works include Life and Passion of Jorge Isaacs and The Emotion of the Landscape in the Poets of Valle del Cauca.
When commenting on Caravajal's works, famous philosopher Félix Restrepo says: “His mystical poetry is unique in the Spanish Literature (...). Unique for the purest originality (..) The religious feeling of Carvajal is a cosmic feeling.” He was born in Cali.

Enrique Uribe White (1898-1983) – Intellectual
An intellectual with many talents. He was a civil engineer, a writer, poet, translator and inventor. He founded the magazine called Pan where he published literary, scientific, and cultural articles.
He served as one of the directors of the National Library. He also had a cultural program on television. He was honoured by the Colombian Government with the "Gran Cruz de Boyacá".
His works included Colombian Poets. He was born near Tuluá

Félix Raffán Gómez (1918-1994) – Writer and journalist.
This distinguished author was a member of the Literary Circle of Bogota, the Bolivian Society of Colombia and the information writer of the Colombian Academy of the Spanish Language.
Gomez received the prize of the Academy of Spanish Letters of New York. He wrote Song of the Blood, Transparency and Hand Writing Poems. He was born in Florida (Valle).

Carmiña Navia Velasco – Writer, poet and professor
The writer is one of the foremost educators in Valle del Cauca. She penned several history books, novels and poems. Carmiña was awarded the “Latin American Prize on Essays, House of Americas” in 2004. She was also the co-founder and director of the Menéndez Popular Cultural Centre in Cali. Some of her works include Poetry and the Religious Language , The Fog Walks in the City and Geography of the Hours. She was born in Cali in 1948.

Juan Manuel Drada – Children's book writer and illustrator
He is the first author who illustrates and writes children's fables in northern Valle del Cauca.
He has been honoured by the Congress , the Universidad del Valle and by the town of Roldanillo for his great contribution to the literature of the country. Drada has held important posts such as Director of the Red Cross in Roldanillo , Councilman in his town, Literature delegate to the Municipal Council of Culture of Casa de la Cultura Carlos Villafane . Among his works are: Oye...cuéntame un cuento " Juanito Piñiñanga "
The writer was born in Roldanillo.