“They are being recognized for their remarkable work and contribution to Philippine society.”
Today, 31 August 2021, six great Filipinos will be honored with the Traditional University Awards of the Ateneo de Manila University this year in recognition of their remarkable work and contribution to Philippine society. This year’s awardees included two lawyers, one priest, a doctor, and two exceptional women.
Justice Antonio Carpio, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa: I have known Justice Carpio for nearly four decades, since my days as a student of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines. I worked with him in the Cabinet of President Fidel V. Ramos where he was presidential counsel and I was an environmental undersecretary. As a long-term constitutional law professor, I teach the judicial opinions he has authored. As a fellow Mindanawon and Cervini dormer, I am happy that Justice Carpio is being given this recognition, not the least because of his advocacy on the West Philippine Sea.
Fr. Heinz Kulüke, Bukas Palad: An SVD priest, Fr Kuluke’s organization, Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation–Integrated Development Center Inc, has lifted thousands of families out of extreme poverty and squalor. As an environmental advocate, I have seen how the organization has transformed Cebu’s dumpsites to benefit thousands of children and their families.
Dr. Roel Cagape, Ozanam: This medical doctor has committed himself to the health of the poor, indigenous peoples of Mindanao, particularly the B’laan, spending more than 30 years holding medical missions, feeding programs for children, health education sessions, and creating solutions like his Ambulansyang Kabayo, E-text si Doc, and Botika sa Kabukiran. As a strong supporter of the Lumad community and bakwit schools, I appreciate how important this work is for the country.
Remmy Rikken, Lingkod Sambayanan: I have know Remmy for many years, from her early work with the Philippine Educational Theater Association to founding PILIPINA, one of the first feminist organization in the country. A former executive director of the Philippine Commission on Women, she is a giant on women’s and other development issues.
Felice Sta Maria, Tanglaw ng Lahi: Our awardee is a cultural historian and advocate, a significant figure in the fields of museum practice and cultural heritage management, having served as the President of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, a commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Philippine Centennial Commission, and a trustee of the Philippine National Museum.
Finally, Ateneo de Manila is recognizing Justice Hector Hofileña with the Lux in Domino Award, its highest award for alumni. Only the most distinguished graduates—among the latest awardees the labor organizer Edmundo Nolasco, Professor Mari-Jo Ruiz (the first and so far only woman awardee), and retired Justice Adolf Azcuna—have been given this capstone award. It is bestowed on those who have incarnated in life, and perhaps even in death, in an outstanding and exemplary manner, the noblest ideals of the University.
Justice Hofileña earned his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, and his Bachelor of Laws degree, cum laude, at the Ateneo de Manila in 1951 and 1954, respectively. He embodies the ideals of the Ateneo in his professional and personal life, serving the nation with unquestionable integrity as a member of the judiciary, and as a law professor for more than sixty years.
Justice Hector is my colleague in the Ateneo Law School Faculty and the Philippine Judicial Academy. He also recruited me personally to teach at the PLM Graduate School of Law. In the latter capacity, I have seen more closely the immense impact of Justice Hector’s work and example.
Justice Hector exemplifies the best of our judiciary. His legal and judicial competence is world-class. He is known for his integrity and independence. As an Atenean, he is a wonderful walking example of magis (a striving for more excellence) and cura personalis (a constant giving to others of oneself).
Pre-pandemic, I made it a point every Saturday before or after class in PLM to chat with Justice Hector in his office. One could not help but be inspired by the brilliance, integrity, and dedication of the man. I can only hope that when I am in my 90s, like him, I can still do what he does.
Aside from his service to our alma mater and nation, the Lux in Domino award is also for his example as husband and father. The devotion to his wife Chita and the way the two of them raised their five sons, two of whom Jimmy and Joey (and their spouses) are my friends and colleagues (and at some point, my superiors—making me one of the few who can call three Hofileñas as my boss), truly exemplify what an authentic person-for-others is.
Justice Hector’s eldest son Jess was a quintessential Atenean himself. Like his father, he was known also for his compassion and generosity. If not for his passing to eternal life last April, he too would have received this award. After all, Father and son are both Lux in Domino, light of the Lord, helping light the way for this country, and for all us, to be in a better place.
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