Over the years, I have maintained a list of Filipinos who I considered qualified to perform the duties and functions of the highest position in the land. One of the women, a longtime inclusion in the list, passed away last week at the grand age of 102. It would, I think, be a huge mistake not to record her passing and to pay tribute to her contributions to the development of Philippine society and the growth of the Philippine economy.
Helena Benitez – Helen to her legion of friends, advisers and associates – was the Grande Dame of Philippine education. Except for a Senate term cut short by martial law, Helena Benitez’s life was dedicated entirely to strengthening and improving this country’s educational system. In the Senate education remained her main focus and principal concern. I know of no one in this country whose life was so totally devoted to education as Helena Benitez.
Into education she was born, the only daughter of Conrado Benitez and Francisca Tirona, the founders of the university established specially for the education of Filipino women: Philippine Women’s University. Upon her return from graduate studies abroad, Helen Benitez plunged into the administration and management of PWU, strengthening its programs, planning its growth and generally steering its course. Together with her parents “Daddy B” and “Mommy B”, Helen Benitez made PWU one of the largest and most respected institutions of higher learning in the nation. Through its portals passed graduates hailing from the northernmost parts of the Philippines to its southernmost parts.
Conrado Benitez, the first dean of the college of business administration of the University of the Philippines, was PWU’s president until the 1960s. Helena Benitez assumed the post upon his retirement from active involvement in PWU affairs.
The new president was very much a hands-on chief executive. Smart and creative, Helena Benitez wanted PWU’s students to have a well-rounded education. Culture – music, dance and the arts – received emphasis during her presidency. Arguably, PWU’s greatest gift to the nation is the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, which has carried the Philippine flag to acclaim in theaters all over the world.
Realizing her stature and national popularity, the politicians eventually came knocking at Helena Benitez’s door. She agreed to join the Nacionalista Party’s senatorial slate in the 1967 election and won easily.
Predictably, Senator Benitez was given the chairmanship of the chamber’s committee on education. She was also given the chairmanship of the committee on housing and urban development. One of her most important achievements in the latter chairmanship was the enactment of a National Building Code. Government planners and the construction and housing industries were very pleased with her work as housing and urban development committee chairman.
In the 1980s, Helena Benitez decided that the time to move on had come, and so she passed the reins of PWU power to her niece Dr. Amelou Benitez-Reyes. The university has continued to thrive under US-trained Dr. Reyes.
Before she passed away, Helena Benitez was informed that her beloved PWU was now secure in its ownership of its historic Taft Avenue and Indiana St. properties in Manila’s Malate district.
A person like Helena Benitez does not come along every day. She was someone special. Philippine education has lost its Grande Dame.
Helena Benitez will be missed.
E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com
