Exemplary mothers from all classes and sectors were recently honored by the National Mother’s Day and Father’s Day Foundation that gave out the annual Ulirang Ina awards.
Leading the honorees was Juliette Gomez Romualdez, widow of the late Leyte governor and ambassador Benjamin “Kokoy” Trinidad Romualdez.
“She is best known, not for hogging the limelight, but for staying in the background,” the awards citation read. “She has inspired and encouraged her loved ones to make a difference in the world, and shine.”
When her husband was still alive, “she was always gracious and pleasant, espousing diplomacy in her own sphere and coping with the demands of being the constant companion of a complex, busy man. Whether at home or in the community, here or abroad, she was enthusiastic and diligent in carrying out her role.”
As a mother, she was a calming presence and a steadfast anchor.
“She was, and still is, the number one cheerleader of her children,” the citation read.
Her children include Daniel Andrew G. Romualdez, a well-known architect in New York; Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez, president and CEO of Benguet Corporation, president of the Chamber of Mines of the Philippines, and director of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, married to Maria Alexandra “Sandy” Prieto-Romualdez, president of the Inquirer Group of Companies; Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, a member of the House of Representatives representing the first district of Leyte, and married to Yedda Marie Kittiltsvedt-Romualdez; and Maria Remedios Paz “Marean” G. Romualdez-Pompidou, an international banker and investor, married to Thomas Piere Leon Pompidou.
“As a mother-in-law, she is an example of grace, love and devotion to her family,” the citation read. “And as a grandmother, she is the ever
supportive lola’ to her all nine beautiful grandchildren.”
Taking up Education at the old Maryknoll College in Quezon City in the 1950s, Juliette Gomez Romualdez has ended up, instead, as a molder of leaders. “Indeed, she gave her children wings to fly, and roots to keep them grounded to where they began.”
Moreover, although she can afford to sit back and enjoy the rewards of her full but challenging life, she continues to perform civic and religious duties, “taking to heart her belief that we can worship our Maker not by grand schemes but through the simple, everyday things.”
Other awardees like Gomez Romualdez cited for socio-civic and religious work were Remedios E. Rodrigo, Ione Mison, Norma Jacinta B. Villegas and Leonila Sikat del Rosario.
More honorees
Other honorees included Justice Carmelita Salandanan-Manahan (law and Judiciary); Gov. Arceli B. Wong Sen. Ma. Teresa Aquino-Oreta, and Mayor Edwina P. Mendoza (government and public service; physicians Ma. Rhodora de Leon Garcia and Myrna G. Purugganan (medicine & allied sciences); Nida Santos Joaquin (agriculture);
Rafaela “Glo” Flores, Leda Simando San Luis, Feliza Cudiamat Javar, and Mercedes Gotianun (business and industry); physician Margarita Sia Montellano and Ana Maria Albary Maquito (education); and Lucy Nay Gritz Reyes, aka Delia Razon (entertainment).
Special awards
Tanyag na Ulirang Ina awards was given to Judge Ma. Theresa M. Arcega, Rep. Josephine Y. Ramirez-Sato and Patricia Bermudez Hizon.
Awarded “Celebrity Mother” was Judy Ann L. Santos-Agoncillo.
Ulirang Ina ng Angkan award was given to Amanda Ricafort Lansang-Carlos.
Posthumous awards were given as well to Paz Cielo Angeles-Belmonte, Faustina Sena and Maria Co Chaio Ti Lim.