By Nikolai Ordoña

The Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) held its annual Traditional University Awards last Tuesday, November 22, at the Hyundai Hall of Areté in the Loyola Campus.

Individuals from different fields were given the following awards:

Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan

• Jaime Z. Galvez Tan MD, for his contributions to public health, formerly serving as Health secretary (1995), Regional Advisor for Health and Nutrition in the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF, 1996), and teaching at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, to name a few.
• Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation Inc. (NVC), for its initiatives meant to harness individual’s resources and skills and provide better opportunities for communities. Established in 2010, different projects including Mingo, an instant complementary food to meet children’s nutritional needs, was launched. 

Ozanam Award

• Eva K. Galvey, for her 40-year service and commitment to others, co-founding the Emmaus Center for Psycho-Spiritual Formation in 1981. It has extended in the Asia-Pacific region, accompanying individuals, organizations, and communities in their faith and discernment.

Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi

• Lualhati T. Bautista, for her engaging political literary works that continue to challenge and transform readers, even decades after their release. Her works include ‘Gapo (1980), Dekada ‘70 (1983), Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? (1984), and several others. She has been recognized by the prestigious Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards and the Gawad Dangal ni Balagtas by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF).

Honorary Degree

• Maria A. Ressa, for continuing her fight for truth, justice, and freedom. In her 30 years as a journalist, she has faced threats and criminal charges but remains undaunted in upholding the importance of freedom of expression. She has been globally recognized as Time’s Person of the Year (2018), BBC’s List of 100 Women (2019), and along with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021.

The said individuals joined fellow 2022 awardees Edward S. Go (Lux in Domino, Oct. 26, 2021) and Maria Leonor G. Robredo (PhD in Economics, Honoris Causa, Aug. 27, 2022). 

The Traditional University Awards recognizes the life and works of men and women in our society who exemplify the values of AdMU, and who have been transformative forces in our society.

Thumbnail from Caroline Laforteza