PORTFOLIO

What’s On & Expat Sept 25 - October 1,2005
Feature

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awarding Ceremonies
By Loraine Balita

The Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation and Manila Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees), Inc., presented this year's "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta" award on August 26 at the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

"I cannot be old, there's so much to be done" said 88-year-old Lucina Cuevas Alday, this year's awardee. A teacher, social worker, city councilor and government official, she has devoted 65 years of her life to being of service to disadvantaged citizens and those most vulnerable to exploitation. "To be happy you have to share happiness with others," she added.

The AY Foundation's Chairman, Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco, and RCBC Corporate Vice-Chairman Cesar Virata joined the guest of honor, Former Senate President Jovito Salonga, and Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, who delivered the inspirational message.Ms. Alday's award amounted to P1 million, which was in turn distributed to different foundations and charitable institutions during the awarding ceremonies. The beneficiaries received P100,000 each.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award

Few of us can do great things, but all of us can do small things with great love.-Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Inspired by Mother Teresa's selfless efforts to help the very poor, the Manila Jaycees launched the Mother Teresa Award during its 1983 General Membership Meeting.

In 1983, they invited the AY Foundation, Inc. and Ambassador Yuchengco to become its project partner. The AY Foundation donated P50,000 to the cash award that year; the late Fr. Anthony Hoffste, O.P., was its first recipient.For 22 years now, the AY Foundation and Manila Jaycees have been giving the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award to distinguished citizens who have emulated Mother Teresa's humanitarian work in their own way.

The award recognizes those who have spent their lives giving a part of themselves to others, pioneers who helped shape Philippine society. Through this annual event, both organizations hope to inspire more people to propagate Mother Teresa's spirit of giving to uplift the lives of the "poorest of the poor.

"A Model for the Community
Mommy Lucing, as the children she helps call her, started as a public school teacher in 1937.
Since then she worked with other socio-civic-minded individuals who pushed for the establishment of health centers, clinics and public recreational facilities in Manila. She was the first to establish a public library in Pandacan, Manila.

As the 6th woman councilor of Manila in 1961, Councilor Alday was responsible for the ordinance that led to the creation of the Department of Social Welfare and the introduction of the School Social-Work Program.

A former teacher herself, she realized the importance of helping school children; thus, through her initiative the Further Education Program for out-of-school youth and Rehabilitation Program for delinquent youths were formulated.

As Director of the Bureau of Women and Minors of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, she gave importance to women workers. Her ideals and projects became a model for the international community: in 1976 a resolution for the protection of girls in "dangerous occupations" was passed at a meeting of ASEAN women in Kuala Lumpur. Her representation in international conferences and seminars has helped elevate the status of women here and abroad.

As the President of the Philippine Elderly Persons, she organized the Grandparents Organization of the Philippines. She launched various programs for the elderly, providing meaningful activities to help them realize their importance.This award, according to Mommy Lucing, is the second she has received this month: the other was an orphan from Davao with a nine-month-old baby, whom she recently took in