Fr. James Reuter, Henrietta de Villa win Ninoy Aquino awards

American-born Fr. James Reuter Jr. S.J. and former ambassador to the Vatican Henrietta de Villa headed this year’s Benigno S. Aquino Jr. awardees for promoting Philippine nationalism. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said the two were cited for being living models of nationalism for the youth. The Federation of Catholic Schools’ Alumni Association, in partnership with the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines and the Good Citizenship Movement launched the Aquino Awards in 2003. “We fittingly named the awards after ‘Ninoy,’ a modern nationalist figure, who gave his life for the country; we can’t find a better idol for our youth today," said Brother Rolando Dizon, FeCaSAA chair at Saturday’s awarding function in Quezon City. The occasion was in commemoration Tuesday’s 24th anniversary of former senator Aquino’s martyrdom. Sr. Mary Sarah Manapol of St. Paul University, Quezon City, represented Reuter at the awarding functions held at the National College of Public Administration at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. The 91-year-old Reuter has been hospitalized in past days for pneumonia. “A Filipino by choice, this Jesuit priest has taught generations of young men and women the values of excellence, discipline, professionalism and love of country," his citation read. “His passionate commitment to music, theater, radio and television has enabled him to inculcate these values needed for nation-building," it added. Reuter was cited for “Social Artistry," or the use of the arts to teach or inspire young people to live cherished values. He had been a recipient of 1989 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts. He started directing theater plays since 1960s and broadcasting radio programs in the Philippines based on scripts of Family Theater Productions in the United States. He became a regular host of weekly FRC-Philippines television programs in l986. Reuter, a multi-awarded dramatist, arrived in the Philippines in 1938. In 1962 he spent nine months in Hollywood to learn production techniques at Fr Peyton’s studio. He has written more than 100 plays. De Villa was cited for “restoring confidence in the electoral process and strengthening Philippine democracy" through the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV). Former President Fidel Ramos was given the Aquino Awards for Nationalism for “enhancing the country’s global competitiveness and earning the respect of the international community." The Aquino Award for Social Artistry was given to educator-writer Maria Paz Lagdameo, former deputy director of the Manila Metropolitan Theater. Pop music artist Joey Ayala was credited for his “well-celebrated songs (that capture) the essence of communion and community." Kundirana, an all-male singing group of high school students from the La Salle Greenhills, was credited for were charity shows for the sick and elderly. The Philippine Educational Theater Association was awarded for fanning “passionate patriotism" through plays, while the Knowledge Channel was cited for its educational and “value-laden" programs aimed at helping children in far-flung areas overcome ignorance and poverty. Former senator Rene Saguisag was cited for his “impeccable record" as legislator and human rights lawyer, while former Sen. Wigberto Tañada was cited for his assertion of Philippine sovereignty in the removal of US military bases from Philippine soil in 1991. Businessman Raul Concepcion was praised for his “staunch advocacy in protecting and promoting the rights of Filipino consumers." Lourdes C. Quezon also received the award for leading a life of volunteerism for the last 50 years. She currently serves as corporate secretary of the Board of Governors of the Philippine National Red Cross. - GMANews.TV