FIVE ARTISTS and public servants were recognized for their significant contributions and works to society during the Traditional University Awards on Tuesday, September 26 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater.
The awards included the Bukas ng Palad Award, Ozanam Award, Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan, Government Service Award, and Tanglaw ng Lahi Award.
Mark Lesage, CICM, founder of the Bukal ng Tipan Pastoral Training Center, was conferred the Bukas Palad award for 40 years of working on local church development through the creation of a basic ecclesiastic community in the Parish of St. Joseph in Las Piñas City.
The Bukas Palad Award is given to individuals who have embodied the Ignatian spirit of generosity, and unconditional and tangible service to the religious of Christ’s Kingdom.
Synergeia Foundation Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Milwida M. Guevara, PhD was given the Ozanam Award for founding the aforementioned education development organization that aims to ensure that Filipino children get to complete basic education.
The Ozanam Award is given to honor Christians who, in the name of justice and charity, have given distinctive and continued service to their fellowmen.
Meanwhile, Carlito M. Gaspar, CSsR was awarded the Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan for his dedication to representing and helping indigenous communities in Mindanao.
The Parangal Lingkod Sambayanan is given to individuals who display outstanding public service that complement the work of the government.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chair Patricia Licuanan, PhD was presented this award for the service she has rendered to improving the tertiary educational system in the country.
The Government Service Award is conferred to individuals who have developed and implemented public policies, programs, or activities that are significant or foundational for the common good.
Finally, Alfonso ‘Coke’ C. Bolipata received the Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi Award for his efforts in training and cultivating individuals who make music for social transformation.
The Tanglaw ng Lahi Award is given to individuals who have shown dedication in showcasing “Filipinism,” and Filipino identity and culture through their work.
In service of the people
Lesage’s Bukas ng Tipan Pastoral Center is a training center that originally consisted of six lay pastoral workers from St. Joseph Parish in Las Piñas City.
According to him, his aspiration is to create a church that is participatory and involved in the upkeep of Filipino cultural heritage.
He added that he aspires to build “a church where everybody has the opportunity to participate, a church that is listening to people, a church that is concerned with the lives of people, a church where everybody has a place and a space, especially the poor.”
On the other hand, Synergeia Foundation Inc., which is under the leadership of Guevara, is dedicated to providing at least elementary education to impoverished Filipino children with the help of parents, local authorities, and leaders from Valenzuela City.
“Walang sukat ang hamon at halaga ng pagbibigay ng mabuting bukas sa batang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng pagtatapos ng pag-aaral (The challenge and importance of providing a bright future for the Filipino children through education is immeasurable),” said Guevara.
Meanwhile, Gaspar served the Lumad communities in Mindanao by helping publish their literary works while providing better educational opportunities for Lumad children.
Gaspar also coined the term “indi-genius” from “indigenous” to emphasize the “undermined capacity” of Lumad people.
He added, “Those with the least have so much more to give—the discriminated and marginalized. I decided to zero in on the Lumads.”
Meanwhile, Licuanan shared that “talent[s] and skills [among Filipino students] are equally distributed, but opportunities are terribly skewed [and] Philippine higher education has deeply entrenched problems.”
Despite the many challenges facing the educational system in the country due to the political climate and economic issues, Licuanan said that the recognition of CHED’s attempts to do better strengthens their resolve to do their job better for the Filipinos.
However, Kabataan Partylist-Katipunan criticized the conferment at Licuanan and CHED has “done nothing to stem the tide of tuition and other school fee increases.”
Gawad Tanglaw ng Lahi awardee Bolipata, on the other hand, said that his initiative of creating a community school for music and arts in CASA San Miguel was largely inspired by his family and friends who supported his cause of creating music for social transformation and honing young musicians to become creators of their own music.
“The collective joy that music brings us far outweigh the challenges of upkeep,” said Bolipata.
He added, “Today is just a break from the world in turmoil that needs our music now more than ever.”
