Mother Teresa Award launched

The Manila Jaycees Inc. and AY Foundation have launched the search for this year’s recipients of the Mother Teresa Award (MTA), which recognizes outstanding individuals who have given most of their lives helping the underprivileged Filipinos.

During the official launching of the 16th MTA held at the Century Park Hotel, foundation chairman Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco reaffirmed the commitment of the AYF and the Manila Jaycees Junior Chamber of Commerce that service to humanity is the best work of life.

"Mother Teresa during her lifetime and even after her death reminds us to fight poverty in all manifestations," Yuchengco said.

Before her death in 1997, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, India had been known worldwide as "the living saint" because of her selfless humanitarian work and ideals, which she embodied throughout her life. She was also a Nobel Peace Prize awardee in 1979.

"Through the MTA, we hope to be able to focus public attention to the exemplary lives of individuals who dedicate their lives to the service of the poorest of the poor and have served and shall continue to serve as an inspirational, living examples to the world," Yuchengco said.

The search has been an annual project of the Manila Jaycees and the AYF since 1983.

Jose Amado Mamuric, Manila Jaycees chairman, said the first awardee was the late Fr. Anthony L. Hoffste, O.P., who devoted 35 years of his life attending to the physical needs of the Hassenites at the Tala Leprosarium. The awarding was held on Nov. 27, 1983 and was graced by Mother Teresa herself, who flew from India to present the award.

Any living individual with at least 25 years of devoted humanitarian work among the poor, orphans and the less privileged Filipinos may be nominated for the MTA. The nomination can be made by any individual, institution or association. Awardees will be receiving a cash award, half of which should go to a charitable institution of his/her choice. – Cecille Suerte Felipe