Writers fete FEU 'Renaissance Woman' in new book

Far Eastern University (FEU) continues its celebration of its 85th founding anniversary with the release of the book “A Renaissance Woman: A Collection of Essays in Honor of LRM” which honors its chair, Dr. Lourdes Montinola. Edited by former FEU President Dr. Lydia Echauz and Sylvia Montilla, the collection was conceived as a tribute to Dr.  Montinola, a scion of university founder Dr. Nicanor Reyes, Sr., in acknowledgement of her contributions in the fields of education, the arts, culture and environmental conservation.

 

“A Renaissance Person is one who is knowledgeable or proficient in a variety of fields or has broad intellectual interests,” shared Sherisa P. Nuesa, FEU board member, during the book’s launch. “This is a most appropriate description of our Chair Lourdes Montinola as she has continually demonstrated her abilities and contributions in different fields.”

 

The book is divided into two sections. The first part gathers personal essays on Dr. Montinola by friends and family, revealing anecdotes about her love for, inclination towards, and appreciation of the arts, history, culture and her lifelong devotion to FEU. Contributors were Atty. Gianna Montinola, Antonio Montinola, Karine Alexana Montinola, Alfredo Roces, Lorna Laurel, Patis Tesoro, Dr. Elizabeth Melchor and former French Ambassador to the Philippines Gerard Chesnel.  

 

Meanwhile, the second half of the collection is composed of highly informed academic essays by some of the country’s finest and most revered writers, including National Artist for Literature Francisco Sionil Jose, Dr. Gemino Abad, Dr. Isagani Cruz, Dr. Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, Dr. Edilberto de Jesus, Retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, Architect Augusto Villalon, Rosario Melchor, Fr. Luis David, Lydia Palaypay, Atty. Gizella Montinola and Dr. Raul Sunico. The materials encompass a wide variety of subjects—from education to poetry, maps to rosaries, philanthropy to law—and are characterized by passion and scholarly rigor. 

 

Chair of FEU’s Board of Directors since 1989, Dr. Montinola previously served as the university corporate secretary since the 1950s. Apart from being an educator, writer, art and heritage conservator and green architecture advocate, she is also an author in her own right, with such acclaimed books as the award-winning titles Piña and Breaking the Silence and the highly-regarded Art Deco in the Philippines

Press release and photo from Far Eastern University