by Ace Dizon

On December 7, The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) held the 2023 Traditional University Awards at Areté, and was live streamed on YouTube, to honor six individuals who have exemplified the values of school and have been transformative forces in society.

The 2023 Traditional University Awards recipients were earlier announced with the rationale behind their awards on September 14 in a memo from the university’s Office of the President.

“The women and men that we honor today, recipients of the 2023 Traditional University Awards, are here not only because of their creativity, faith, compassion, and passion but, more importantly, because they all have answered the call to serve,” Fr. Roberto Yap, the University President, said in his opening remarks.

Fr. Roberto Yap said that through the annual University Awards, the school hopes to spark inspiration for everyone to live the ideals of Fr. Arrupe and be a person with-and-for others.

“May we take heart from their vision, courage, resilience, and strength, and be inspired to use our God-given gifts and talents to answer the call to action to be persons for others and help humanity create a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future,” Fr. Roberto Yap emphasized in his speech.

ADMU awarded the following individuals who have made a significant impact in their respective fields:

Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan

The Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan is an award that is aimed to recognize the outstanding public service of an individual or organization that complements and supports what the government should be or is doing.

Atty. Koronado B. Apuzen, a lawyer who committed his life to the rights of agricultural workers and marginalized indigenous communities, received the Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan. 

Atty. Apuzen assisted in organizing the banana plantation wage workers into associations and applying for land ownership, which were then turned into cooperatives. 

FARMCOOP became an independent organization under his direction, serving cooperatives with various needs and helping in the development of organic banana cultivation. This also improved the lives of indigenous populations while minimizing erosion and maintaining biodiversity.

Government Service Award

The Government Service Award recognizes people in government service who consistently perform excellently, focusing on developing and implementing foundational programs which seek the common good.

Hon. Ana Theresia ‘Risa’ Hontiveros Baraquel, a lifelong activist against government corruption, was recognized with the Government Service Award. 

Hontiveros was awarded for her commitment to the protection and uplifting of the vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors of society, which is evident in the bills she has authored 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, Universal Health Care Act, and the Philippine Mental Health Law.

Ozanam Award

The Ozanam Award is given to laymen or laywomen who have showcased consistent and commendable efforts to help their fellow citizens through their service in accordance with the principles of justice and charity.

Maria Anna ‘MeAn’ de Rosas Ignacio was given the Ozanam Award for her work on multiple organizations that push for community service and nation-building by helping the marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged. 

She led the Foundation for Development Alternatives and co-founded the Kasagana-ka Development Center, Inc., focusing on alleviating the problems experienced by the impoverished.

Bukas Palad Award

The Bukas Palad Award is given to people of the clergy and the religious who dedicated themselves in service of Christ’s Kingdom. Through their priestly and religious vocations, their contributions attempt to fulfill the needs of their contemporaries. 

Br. Armin A Luistro FSC, brought home the Bukas Palad Award for devoting his life to the education sector to reshape the Philippine education system and benefit Filipino students. 

Br. Luistro was granted the award for his contributions as a teacher, campus minister, and top administrator of De La Salle University. 

He also made basic education more accessible through the programs of the Department of Education during his tenure as a secretary from 2010 to 2016.

Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi

The Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi is open to anyone who has helped shape the Filipino culture and helped the Filipino people to achieve national consciousness towards a realization and improvement of the Filipino image.

The personal integrity and moral character is a consideration for this award as the recipient will serve as a role model in their own field.

Jose ‘Bogie’ Tence Ruiz, a social realist artist whose works are admired for scrutinizing the social and political realities of the country, was bestowed the Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi. 

Ruiz has participated in numerous local and international art exhibits, including the Venice Biennale in 2015 with his work Shoal, an installation artwork representing BRP Sierra Madre, the Philippine vessel guarding the Philippine territorial waters claimed by China.

Honorary Degree

An Honorary Degree is given to individuals who exerted themselves to a noble cause which created invaluable advancements in their fields, focusing on benefitting social justice and development, compassionate action, and humanitarian service. These individuals are handpicked according to the Ateneo ideals, whom the University will be honored to have as their alumni.

Cardinal Antonio Luis G. Tagle was granted the Honorary Degree for imparting and sharing the Gospel through traditional communing, media, and digital platforms. 

Pope Francis elevated Cardinal Tagle to the highest rank of cardinal-bishop in 2020, making him the first Filipino to achieve this rank. Starting in 2022, Tagle has been a Pro-Prefect for the section of Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization. 

Tagle will be conferred his honorary degree, PhD in Philosophy, in June 2024 due to his absence because of a prior commitment. 

Photo by Carol Laforteza