Because of her significant contribution in the field of education especially in the City of Valenzuela and its nearby communities, Dr. Juliet Olivares Santos, the second President of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), was conferred the Gawad Dr. Pio Valenzuela Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumous) on July 11, 2009, in celebration of the 140th birth anniversary of Dr. Pio Valenzuela held at the Valenzuela City Auditorium.
The award is the highest form of recognition and honor that is given annually by the City Government of Valenzuela to deserving citizens of the City for their contributions in different fields such as community service, education, sports, youth leadership, science and technology, profession, journalism, business, government service, performing arts, and family solidarity.
Senator Francis Pangilinan, together with Congressman Rexlon Gatchalian of the First District of the City, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, and Vice-Mayor Eric Martinez, led the awarding of the special trophy and medallion. The award was received by Dr. Caroline Santos Enriquez, University President; Dr. Yvonne Santos Guevara, Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Dr. Mylene O. Santos, Vice-President for Student Affairs; Mr. Enrico O. Santos, Vice-President for Planning and Development; Mr. Robert Bjorn O. Santos, Corporate Secretary and Director for English Studies; and Mr. Vincent Kenneth Mercado, grandson of Dr. Santos.
Other individuals who were recognized during the event were Mrs. Florencia Miranda, Community Service; Dr. Irene De Castro, Education; Mr. Virgilio Abarientos, Sports; Mr. Limon Rodriguez, Youth Leadership; Mr. Antonio Valeriano Bernardo, Science and Technology; Arch. Arturo Valenzuela, Profession; Mr. Marc Logan, Journalism; Mrs. Sagrario Uy, Business; Atty. Arnel Jose Bañas, Government Service; Mr. Rowell Joseph Santiago, Performing Arts; and Mr. and Mrs. Pablo Mendoza and Family for Family Solidarity.
The awarding program was also highlighted by a 30-minute musical presentation featuring the golden year of vaudeville in the Philippines performed by the members of the Valenzuela City Center for Cultural and Performing Arts (VCCPA) where some artists are students of OLFU.
In 2002, Dr. Vicente M. Santos Sr., the first President of the University, was also conferred the same honor for Excellence in Profession.
Meanwhile, the University also commemorated the first death anniversary of Dr. Juliet Santos last July 6, 2009 through a Holy Mass that was held at the quadrangle of the Main Campus. Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez of the Diocese of Kalookan presided the Mass together with concelebrating priests. During the event, Mr. Robert Bjorn O. Santos led the coronation of the image of Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal while Dr. Enriquez, Dr. Guevara, and Dr. Mylene Santos offered the Rosary to the image. The rites commemorate the same gesture that Dr. Juliet Santos did to the same image in the early 1980’s. Rosaries and prayer cards were also given to the students, faculty, and staff as a way of remembering Dr. Juliet Santos’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
|
