2021 Traditional University Awards (Memo U2122-006)

The Traditional University Awards of the Ateneo de Manila recognize the life and works of men and women in our society who exemplify the values of the university. For AY 2020–2021, the Board of Trustees has chosen to award the following individuals, all exemplars in their respective fields:
 
Antonio T Carpio
Honorary Degree

During his eighteen years of service in the Supreme Court of the Philippines, Senior Associate Justice Carpio wrote more than a thousand decisions and opinions, leaving no backlog when he retired in 2019. His work, described by a colleague as “clear, erudite, strategic, and always with a perspective towards insisting on a just result that should benefit the Filipino people,” clearly and consistently demonstrated patriotism and his adherence to the impartiality of the Rule of Law. More than a year after his retirement, Justice Carpio continues to exhibit these values as the country’s foremost defender of Philippine territory and maritime entitlements in the West Philippine Sea.
 
Hector L Hofileña
Lux in Domino

Justice Hofileña earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, and his Bachelor of Laws degree, cum laude, at the Ateneo de Manila in 1951 and 1954, respectively. He embodies the ideals of the Ateneo in his professional and personal life, serving the nation with unquestionable integrity as a member of the judiciary, serving the University for more than sixty years now through his excellent mentorship at the Law School, and being a devoted husband and loving father of five accomplished sons. Justice Hofileña has also extended the benefit of his mentorship beyond his alma mater, being the dean of the Graduate School of Law of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
 
Fr Heinrich Kulüke SVD
Bukas Palad

Fr Heinz Kulüke was a 32-year-old priest in the University of San Carlos when he first chanced upon the families living in Cebu City’s largest dumpsite. Since then, he has devoted his life to their upliftment, beginning with a single day care for the education and nutrition of children in the dumpsite, which has since grown into a network of 75 preschools, and progressing to housing projects for families living in Cebu’s streets and three dumpsites. Because of Fr Heinz and his organization, Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation–Integrated Development Center Inc, thousands of families have been lifted out of extreme poverty and squalor.
 
Roel Z Cagape
Ozanam

Since witnessing a very sick person from a remote village in Sarangani brought to his childhood home for help from his parents, Dr Roel Cagape has committed himself to the health of the poor, indigenous peoples of Mindanao, particularly the B’laan. Motivated by an abiding faith in God, he has spent more than thirty years holding medical missions, feeding programs for children, health education sessions, and creating solutions like his Ambulansyang Kabayo, E-text si Doc, and Botika sa Kabukiran to negotiate the physical and social challenges of the mountainous region, which have been adopted to serve the Mangyan in Mindoro and the Aeta in Zambales.
 
Remedios I Rikken
Lingkod Sambayanan

One of the pillars of the women’s movement in the Philippines, Remmy Rikken dedicated more than forty years of her life to the protection of women’s rights and the economic, social, and political empowerment of the Filipino woman. She was one of the founders of PILIPINA, the first feminist organization in the country, and the executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women, formerly the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, under two administrations. She actively lobbied for the Magna Carta for Women, signed into law in 2009, and tirelessly worked to ensure that both government and nongovernment organizations enacted its provisions.
 
Felice P Sta Maria
Tanglaw ng Lahi

A cultural historian and advocate, Felice Sta Maria’s culinary research has resulted in the publication of award-winning books such as The Governor-General’s Kitchen: Philippine Culinary Vignettes and Period Recipes, 1521–1935(2006) that are as much about Philippine natural and social history and culture as they are about food. Felice is also a significant figure in the fields of museum practice and cultural heritage management, having served as the President of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, a commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Centennial Commission, and a trustee of the Philippine National Museum.

The schedule of the online awarding ceremony will be announced at a later date.