Programs

They Lit The Way:Past Recipients of Teresa's Light

Sr. Soledad Perpiñan RGS, HS'53 and C'57
Community Service: For her commitment to uplifting the lives of exploited women.

Sr. Sol (or Norma, as she was known) is a Good Shepherd sister by vocation; an educator and writer by profession; an eco-feminist, peace activist and social servant by conviction. Sr. Sol began work with migrant women in Rome in 1974. She worked as counseling psychologist in a crisis intervention center that pioneered in handling battered women, rape and incest cases from 1975 to 1979. She initiated the Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women in 1980, the first time sex tourism was addressed in organized protests in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. She also initiated protests against military prostitution in 1981 and launched an International Campaign Against Military Prostitution 18 1985. In 1987, she started direct services for women and girls who are sexually exploited and established the "Belen" drop-in centers in different parts of the country. Sr. Sol has edited various publications and has written, published, and presented numerous papers in local and international forums to bring in the Third World feminist perspective to issues on peace, development, environment, equality and spirituality.

She was among 27 Filipinas who were named in the "1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005," as collective nominees to the Nobel Peace Prize Committee in Oslo, Norway. She was cited among the women activists worldwide of the 20th century in the "Roll of Honour" of the UN General Assembly Special Session on Women in 2000 (Beijing + 5) to be remembered and honored, both in their lifetime, and beyond.

Dr. Carmencita Noriega-Reodica, HS'55
National Development: For her leadership in bringing health care closer to those in most need.

Carmencita Noriega-Reodica holds the distinction of being the first woman Secretary of Health. She has spent 32 years as a public health worker. As the National Primary Health Care coordinator during the term of former Health Secretary Dr. Jesus Azurin, Chit visited the remotest areas in the country including the war-torn areas of Sulu, Tawi-tawi and Basilan. As the National Disaster Coordinating Officer, she led emergency health programs for disaster victims such as the Aeta victims of Mt. Pinatubo eruption, as well as residents dislocated by flash floods in Ormoc. She organized a network of volunteer barangay health workers as "boticas sa barangay" to make drugs for common diseases affordable and accessible. As Secretary of Health, Chit moved the Department of Health actively towards a people-based (in contrast to disease or program based) approach to public health, focusing programs on specific target age and sectoral groups such as very young children, adolescents, and women.

Presently, Chit continues her work of service and contribution to national development as President of the Center for Family Health Development, Inc., as President of Makatao Foundation, Director of the National Red Cross, Rizal Chapter and as Vice President of the Institute of Maternal and Child Health.

Dr./Atty. Teresita Ramirez-Sanchez HS'66
Science: For her pioneering work in the field of forensic medicine.

Teresita Ramirez-Sanchez is an obstetrician-gynecologist, a forensic clinician and lawyer. With this uncommon combination of professions, Dr./Atty. Sanchez has often been sought on matters medico-legal in nature. She has shared her knowledge and expertise through lectures nationwide as well as published articles in medical journals and newsletters on compelling issues such as child abuse, rape and domestic violence, and medical malpractice. Tess believes that her greatest achievement to date is the founding of the Philippine Association of Forensic Medicine which is composed of doctors whose work is related to crime. This was her brain child and together with some colleagues, laid the groundwork for its recognition in the Philippines, a not so simple task considering that by the very nature of their work, members often find themselves in adversarial positions in court litigations and legal investigations. Foremost among the association's objectives is to update its members in the arena of crime investigation so that justice can truly be served.

She was Chairperson of the Department of Forensic Medicine of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in the years 1997-2004. She is currently connected with the University of Santo Tomas Hospital and the Manila Doctors Hospital.

Evelyn Mendoza-Tan HS'67 and C'71
Education: For her overflowing spirit in teaching and developing special children.

Evelyn Mendoza-Tan is the founder-directress of the Child's World A Growing Center, a school for special children - autistics, retardates and slow learners. Herself "differently-abled" having been born almost blind, this personal disability did not prevent Evelyn from helping others through her school which had its humble beginnings in an extension of her own house in 1982. Moreover, her commitment does not start and end with her students. She also provides parenting skills to fathers and mothers and other extended family members as part of the total attention needed in nurturing the special child. Children from poor families have also enjoyed "confidential" scholarships in her school, known only between her and the parent beneficiaries. As a teacher, Evelyn's influence extends beyond the classroom. She has shared many lessons in life to which friends and others whom she has touched and helped transform into better individuals will testify.

Naomi Amagna-David HS'71
Family Life: For her dedicated service in building families for God.

Naomi Amagna-David is a fulltime pastoral worker who is deeply involved with Couples for Christ as president of the CFC Education Foundation and board member of the CFC Angkop Foundation which is CFC's answer to God's call through the PCP II for family renewal for the church of the poor. Mimi is also a board member of CRIBS, a child caring agency for abandoned and surrendered children and for sexually abused children and adolescents. As a DSWD licensed foster parent, she takes into her home abandoned children, taking care of their needs and preparing them for final adoption. Mimi started with her volunteer work counseling problematic high school students at the Euphrasian Residence. A nurse by profession with a masters degree in Nursing, Major in Psychiatry, Mimi at one time operated her own pre-school but gave it up to become a fulltime worker for the CFC Child Development Center. Mimi has been an educator for 15 years, but education for her is only a tool to further a higher purpose, i.e., to serve others for the glory of God. She has enriched the lives not only of her own family but other families as well.

Sr. Pilar Verzosa RGS, HS'60
National Development: For her dedication to the service of God and country as exemplified by her total commitment to uphold the dignity of human life especially the unborn child.

"Find meaning in your life, identify your priorities - what is of value and important to you, establish relationships with people but focus on God", STC taught these things to her. She has the acronym P I C for this, meaning Persistence in spite of obstacle in whatever we do; Insistence in what we believe in; Consistency in word and action - all together forming Persons in Christ. From her STC days to Nursing College at St. Paul, she was involved in social work with orthopedic patients and slum communities. It was no surprise then when she entered the Good Shepherd Convent afterwards. Since then, she lived up the role of a real shepherd - for unwed mothers, battered women, abused children, and the unborn. As an embodiment of Christ's work among men, she has a favorite prayer: "Oh my God, may every beat of my heart be a prayer to obtain grace and pardon for sinners. May all my sighs be so many appeals to your infinite mercy. May each look have the virtue to gain to your love the souls I shall look on. And may the food of my life be to work without ceasing for the glory of God and the salvation of souls, Amen." (Aspirations of St. Mary Euphrasia)

Judge Ma. Cristina Cortez-Estrada, HS'55
Family Life: For her unwavering faith in God despite the vicissitudes of life - a faith that enabled her to build a Christ-centered family and to overcome life's challenges.

An Estrada we can be proud of! Widowed at 31, with two young children and a three-month pregnancy, she plunged herself not in depression, but in practice of her law profession and in looking after her three children. Later on, she would expand her involvement to include the juvenile cases at her Pasig Court. From then on, with her integrity and dedication, she became the Associate Justice of the 5th Division of the Sandiganbayan.

She attributes the way she weathered through her otherwise traumatic life to the solid Christian values gained from STC. "They influenced my way of thinking, especially in making major decisions in my life", she admits. Despite the initial setback, she came out whole, balanced her career and home life, and came out a winner in both.

Josefina Angeles-Tuazon, HS'72
Education: For her innovativeness in developing teaching strategies in Nursing adapted to the Philippine setting thus actualizing competency-based curriculum and contributing to the development of health education in Philippine urban and rural communities.

Right after stepping out from the safe confines of STC, "to a totally different world - UP", Josefina Angeles-Tuazon started to carve out a niche for herself. She put to good use her Theresian lessons in "academic training and critical thinking" and the values of "spirituality, social awareness and simplicity; speaking out in the face of injustice, honoring principles and convictions even when it is difficult; reaching out to help people and the environment; taking a backseat when it is prudent; and striving to be good" in whatever calling of life one is in. Instead of cursing the dark situation of initially being alone in a big university, she forged ahead in her tasks, mostly at the UP-Library. She was duly rewarded when she graduated with honors from the College of Nursing. This set the trend to a series of her accomplishments - Masters in Nursing, Doctorate in Public Health, Metrobank Foundation Award for Outstanding Teacher, Chairman of National Asthma Movement, and the Adviser of the Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators. Her simplicity, creativity and innovativeness reach out even to her residential subdivision's waste management system, which she initiated and implemented. Truly a woman of service!

Rose Marie Jimenez-Bautista, HS'55
Education: For being a living witness of the gospel values in her simplicity, humility, beauty of character, and dedication to her family and profession, developing and promoting education in design and art.

After graduating from high school as valedictorian in 1955, Rose Marie Jimenez-Bautista went on to study architecture in UST. She took her master's degree in educational leadership and started teaching after a brief stint in an architectural firm. Rose Marie taught at the Philippine School of Interior Design in Makati for 34 years. At the PSID, she was Assistant Directress and Dean of Students. At the College of St. Benilde, she was Director of the School of Design and Arts for 6 years. She is credited for starting the school and for developing the programs for which the college has built its reputation as a center of innovation in the field of design.

Rose Marie retired from active school teaching and administration in 2004 after 45 years of working in the field of education. If the many letters and frequent calls from her students and their parents thanking her for how she has stimulated their lives in profound ways can be a measure of her worth as a teacher, it could be said that Rose Marie was an excellent teacher.

Rose Marie also became deeply involved in the Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women where she served as a board member. Her life is rich with friends, design colleagues and former students but her family - her children, grandchildren and husband, the poet Cirilo F. Bautista, are at the heart of her universe.

Cecile Guidote Alvarez, HS'58
National Development: For using theater arts as a catalyst for social change and restoring the dignity of marginalized and differently-abled groups by transforming them into creative and productive citizens bringing message of hope, love and peace.

As a founder of the Philippine Educational Theatre Association or PETA, Cecile Guidote-Alvarez had earned for herself a leading role in the history of arts and culture in the country. Her pioneering work on stage and television, which included "Theater in the Ruins" at the Fort Santiago and the hugely popular "Balintataw" TV drama series, was acknowledged with the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1972, making her the youngest recipient of the prestigious Asian award.

In exile with her family during the martial law years, she extended PETA into PETAL, writing and directing cross-cultural performances, organizing conferences and festivals and developing teaching programs all of which she saw as vehicles for human rights education and the promotion of our cultural identity. Cecile provides cultural and livelihood studies for street children, ethnic and disabled youth through the Development, Rehabilitation, and Education through Arts, Media and Science Academy. The DREAMS Ensemble regularly travels for performances, bringing to audiences around the world a universal message of hope, peace and love.

Cecile has been cited as one of the Ten Outstanding Women of the Nation and has received numerous awards from different civic groups and international organizations. She is Founding Artistic Director of the environmental rights group, the Earthsavers Movement, and is presently the Executive Director of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts.

Susana S. Castillo, HS'60
Culture and Arts: For being an instrument of God's work by the magnanimous sharing of her architectural expertise and her selfless dedication to preserve our cultural heritage.

As one of the partners of a renowned architectural firm, Susan Castillo designed and built luxury hotels, high rise condominiums, bank buildings and magnificent homes. A trip to Medjugorje in 1988 changed her life entirely - she consecrated the work of her hands to Mary and let the Holy Mother take charge of her life. Years later, she joined the Third Order of Benedictines, requiring a life of regular prayer time and other spiritual activities.

In recent years, Susan has specialized in building and restoring churches, chapels and convents often giving her services pro bono to religious communities. For her unselfish service to the Catholic Church she has been bestowed with the Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice Cross, the highest decoration granted by the Vatican to lay persons and the clergy. She was given the UAP Design Award in 1996 as the lead architect of the St. James the Greater Church in Ayala Alabang. She has been honored as a fellow by the United Architects of the Philippines after 31 years in the practice of architecture.

Despite her many accomplishments, Susan remains humble and prefers a simple life. She is still the thoughtful "Ate" to her four siblings and a loving and caring daughter to her 84-year old mother.

Susan Serrano-Villar, HS'71
Community Service: For her charismatic leadership in civic and philanthropic activities, believing in the potentials of youth, imbuing in them spirituality and the values of diligence, honesty, and integrity.

What makes Susan Serrano-Villar different is how she can inspire other people to believe in her vision and to be infected with her zeal. Children are her one true passion. She convinced her family to donate a parcel of land where the Parañaque government could build an elementary school. As a young mother, she put a flourishing career on hold to bring up her three daughters.

As the Incoming Zonta Metro Pasig president in 1996, she conceived and put up the Unang Hakbang Center for street children at the St. Francis Church in Mandaluyong. In 1988, she organized a record-breaking 33 youth groups called Z Clubs which developed the spirit of philanthropy and service to high school and college girls all over the Philippines. As the only Asian to accomplish such an unprecedented feat, she was awarded the Zonta Golden Achievement Medallion.

Taking care of children had come full circle for Susan when she accomplished her personal and most important youth project - the fostering and integration of a street child into her home and family. She has given deeper meaning to youth development - working on it from outside and within her own home.

The 2005 Teresa's Light Steering Committee

Schedule of Activities

The search for the Fourth Teresa's Light Woman of Service will be held in 2009 or 2010.

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