Awards for achievers / Phil-British program / Writer Castrence at 100

In simple ceremonies at the Manila Hotel, the National Committee on the Centennial of the Feminist Movement in the Philippines headed by Leonarda "Narda" Camacho as president, awarded women achievers. As master of ceremonies, Narda, remarkably ticked off from memory the names of the many awardees.

Among the oldest were Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma who showed courage and steadfast independence of mind, along with Justice JBL Reyes during the Marcos years; Dr. Fe del Mundo who, through World War II, extended her medical services to all and sundry, including children of American and British internees.

Also cited were Minerva Laudico, now over 90, the hard-working, civic-minded clubwoman who was involved in various community projects through the decades: Fannie Aldaba Lim who has done outstanding social work here and abroad; Socorro Ramos of the National Bookstore; Francisca Tirona Benitez and her daughter Helena who founded the Civic Assembly of Women of the Philippines, later renamed the National Council of Women by the much younger Ester Vibal.

Also cited among the younger women were retired Justice Ameurfina Melencio Herrera, now a law professor, and Lilia B. de Lima, the admirable director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority; writers Virginia R. Moreno, Gilda Cordero Fernando and this columnist-critic who received trophies as did the more junior Dr. Menguita Padilla and the rest of the achievers.

A posthumous award was given National Artist for Dance Leonor Orosa Goquingco for influencing, shaping and molding the entire folk dance movement of the Philippines. Leonor was represented by her sister Helen O. del Rosario.

Women achievers from the provinces were likewise recognized.

Speakers included former Senator Leticia R. Shahani whose illuminating address showed how mothers could give their infants more nutritious milk.

Besides Narda, members of the National Committee are Myrna T. Yao, 1st VP, Merceditas N. Gutierrez, 2nd VP; Emelita V. Almosara, secretary; Zenas R. Lozada, Assistant secretary; Marcelina A. Aurelio, treasurer; Dulce I. Gozon, assistant treasurer. Directors are Rosario L. Bitanga, Ma. Imelda Santos Gomez, Ana Maria L. Harper, Maria Eva Kalaw, Emily M. Marohombsar, Haja P. Zorayda A. Tamano, Leonida Tecson and Justina MB Yu.

Perhaps in the future, the Committee can include among its awardees Filipino women abroad. Among these, for instance, is Marguerite Macaraig Echaus who, for more than ten years, has been with the faculty of the Vancouver Academy of Music. She is the only Filipino teaching (piano) there, doing so with distinction. Marguerite holds a BM degree from the Catholic U. of America, and an MM in Education earned at the Holy Name College in Oakland, California. She has a Teaching Certificate from the Seattle Pacific U. and the American Suzuki Institute, S.F. State U.

Also eligible for awards, I believe, are some strikingly talented actresses of the May-I (Asian) Theater Company in New York managed by executive director Jorge Ortoll.

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My late father was a founding member of the Philippine-British Society and, as I recall one of its meetings was held at our residence. Although I am not much of a club-joiner, I eventually became a member – by "osmosis" – and much later, president. That was a long time ago; the British Council was not in existence then.

During my tenure, the Society presented T.S. Eliot’s Murder in the Cathedral at the Cathedral of St. Mary and St., John in QC. Jonas Sebastian directed the hugely successful production.

At the recent cocktail reception British Ambassador Peter and Jill Beckingham hosted at their residence for the Society, another "production" took place, with Mr. Beckingham presenting two winners in the Shakespearean National Speech Competition sponsored by the British Council. These were runner-up Don Michael de Leon of the Makati Science High School and champion Alisa Nicole Lim of the Assumption Convent. With much aplomb, Don Michael delivered a monologue from a Shakespearean comedy; with deep feeling, Alisa delivered a monologue ("Wherefore art thou my Romeo?") from Romeo and Juliet.

Capping the brief, heartily applauded program was Patricia Evangelista’s delivery of her winning speech at the English-Speaking Union competition in London.

Present at the cocktails prior to the program was Monique Wilson of the New Voices Company, and I told Mr. Beckingham that Monique used to perform at the musicales presented by a predecessor, Ambassador Adrian Thorpe.

For his part, the host took occasion to mention those who contributed to the forging of Phil-British friendship; e.g., Ambassador Cesar Bautista, Monique and BC Director Jill Westaway. Some British members did not seem particularly friendly – in total contrast to the Beckinghams – but presumably the usual British reserve might have been construed as snobbishness or aloofness.

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Pura Santillan Castrence, now living in Sydney, has come out with a book As I See It, Filipinos and the Philippines. And she’s a 100 years old! Renato Perdon of Manila Prints sent me the book through Emelita V. Almosara.

Writers National Artist F. Sionil Jose: "The author will be congratulated… for giving her countrymen a highest sense of self-worth, nationhood, and the courage to face a grim future." UP Prof. Randy David observes "The standpoint from which the author writes about her country is unique. She is 100 years old, lives abroad, and has been blind for many years. Yet she writes from a powerful memory and an unerring insight. She writes about the Philippines with the nostalgia of a native who has known a gentler time, and with the wisdom of a seer who has glimpsed the future."

Dean of UP’s College of Mass Communication Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson notes: "On her 100th birthday, there can be no better tribute to Pura Santillan-Castrence, pioneering feminist and respected writer, than the publication of her columns, many of which are valuable eyewitness accounts of events and personalities decisive in Philippine history."