2023 Traditional University Awards (Memo U2324-044)

TO:

The University Community

SUBJECT:

2023 Traditional University Awards

Atty Koronado B Apuzen

Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan

Atty Apuzen has dedicated 50 years of his life to agricultural workers, fighting for their rights and helping them overcome poverty. Seeing an opportunity to breathe new life into the future of the farmers, Atty Apuzen helped organize the banana plantation wage workers into associations and applied for land ownership. Once granted certificates of land ownership, the associations were transformed into cooperatives. Under his leadership, FARMCOOP became an independent organization assisting cooperatives with various needs. It also played a significant role in developing organic banana farming, which not only improved the lives of indigenous communities but also helped reduce erosion and contribute to biodiversity protection.

Hon Ana Theresia ‘Risa’ Hontiveros Baraquel

Government Service Award

From her days as a student activist to being a fearless warrior against government corruption, Hon Risa Hontiveros Baraquel is a rare find with a good grasp of civic duty and an unwavering commitment to protecting and uplifting the disadvantaged and most vulnerable members of Filipino society. Notable on her long list of achievements are bills she has championed, initiated, and co-authored, such as the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicine Act, Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act, Safe Streets and Public Spaces Act, Expanded Maternity Leave, and the Universal Health Care Act. She was the principal author of the landmark legislation Philippine Mental Health Law, which upholds the protection and promotion of the rights of all Filipinos with their psychiatric, neurologic, and psychosocial health needs.

Maria Anna ‘MeAn’ R Ignacio

Ozanam Award

MeAn Ignacio has served thousands of communities, especially the disadvantaged, marginalized, and vulnerable. She led the Foundation for Development Alternatives, a non-government organization that worked with the urban poor towards organizing and capability-building, land tenure security, socialized housing, and access to social credit. In 2002, she co-founded Kasagana-ka Development Center, Inc (KDCI), a development-focused institution that assists urban poor women and their families and communities through microfinance. Kabuhayan sa Ganap na Kasarinlan Credit and Savings Cooperative, also created by KDCI, developed subsidized feeding programs to help their members during the COVID-19 pandemic. In all her roles throughout her decades of experience, MeAn’s commitment, passion, and strong desire to change the lives of others shine through.

Br Armin A Luistro FSC

Bukas Palad Award

Br Armin Luistro has shown deep commitment to the mission of education through his invaluable contributions as a teacher, campus minister, and top administrator of De La Salle University and De La Salle University System. As the secretary of the Department of Education (2010-2016), Br Armin Luistro made significant educational strides by reforming the country’s system to make basic education more accessible and valuable to every Filipino, especially the disadvantaged. Gentleness, benevolence, and a sense of equity are traits that Br Armin Luistro has embodied in his life’s calling.

Jose ‘Bogie’ Tence Ruiz

Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi

In an illustrious career spanning five decades, Bogie Tence Ruiz's contribution is his works —paintings, sculptures, installations, prints, digital imagery, collective projects, and performances. Considered a stalwart of social realism, Bogie Tence-Ruiz uses art to transform the ordinary and mundane into rich, layered, and riveting, encouraging the audience to critically examine our society's social and political realities. He has participated in local and international exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale 2015, with his work Shoal. Made of assembled metal and wood wrapped in blood-red velvet, the artwork represented the BRP Sierra Madre, the lone decrepit Philippine vessel guarding the country’s territorial waters claimed by China.

Cardinal Luis Antonio G Tagle

Honorary Degree

Known for his compassion, grace, and humility, Cardinal Tagle has been an outstanding student, scholar, preacher, pastor, and now, a key leader in the Universal Church. His compassion for people, especially those in the peripheries, was evident through his many assignments and positions.  In 2020, Cardinal Tagle was elevated by Pope Francis to the highest rank of cardinal-bishop, making him one of the only 11 senior cardinals and the first Filipino to attain this rank. Since 2022, he has been a Pro-Prefect for the section of Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization.  His gift for imparting and sharing the Gospel, through the traditional method of communing with the faithful or preaching through the media and digital platforms, makes Cardinal Tagle an unequaled leader of the Church.