Awards and Distinctions

Originating in the US in 1872, Mother’s Day began to be celebrated here in 1980. The Ulirang Ina Awards Foundation is always in search of model mothers who have raised their children to be God-fearing, honest, hardworking, disciplined and productive members of the community.

One of the this year’s awardees is Consul of Monaco Fortune Ledesma, one of the most active charity workers. Daughter of former Nueva Ecija Governor Amado Aleta, Fortune is an optometrist who graduated cum laude and topped the board. She and her husband Rene Locsin Ledesma, Consul of Bulgaria, manage the real-estate, family-owned Ledesco Development Corporation. Their children–RJ, Rina and Rico–are outstanding professionals.

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In December of 1940, the childless American couple Samuel and Elsie Gaches donated 15 hectares in Barrio Alabang, Muntinlupa, to our government, stipulating that the land be used for the housing and care of underprivileged adults and children. Today, the government center is known as the Elsie Gaches Village.

Year after year, the Catholic Women’s Club–now headed by president Alice Briones–makes the Elsie Gaches Village the main recipient of its benefit socials such as the one it recently held at the residence of Bea Zobel de Ayala. Each year, likewise, an eminent artist (e.g., the late Joya, Baldemor, Sanso) donates a painting to help raise the needed funds.

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In far-away Chilé, our energetic and vivacious Ambassador Ma. Consuelo Puyat-Reyes, president of the Instituto Asiatico y Pacifico de la Universidad de Sto. Tomas, spearheaded a festival wherein representatives of Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, China, India, Korea, Japan and NZ gathered under one roof to showcase the best of their culture and art. The festival was a distinct success.

Earlier, UST President-Founder Dr. Gerardo Rocha, in a barong tagalog, took his oath of office as the new RP honorary consul at the residence of Ambassador Puyat-Reyes. In attendance were the diplomatic corps headed by Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Aldo Cavalli, top government officials, ranking business executives and eminent members of the academe.