THE PHILIPPINE Women;s Alumni Association led 60 Philwomenian graduates and Bayanihan alumni at a dinner party to honor Helena Benitez at the Dusit Hotel last July 1.
At age 95, Benitez is a trailblazer: She was ahead of her time: She was the first woman to be inducted to the Democracy Hall of Fame, the first Filipina to chair the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the first woman president of the Governing Council of the UN Environment program, and the first woman to be conferred the Presidential Award of the Order of Sikatuna, Rand Datu.
Pioneer
Senator Manny Villar hailed her as a world-renowned stateswoman, educator, women’s advocate, legislator, diplomat, environmental pioneer and nationalist.
According to Doctor Amelou Benitez-Reyes, her niece, the party was the most enjoyable Tita Helen has ever had! Musical numbers were rendered by the PW Alumni Ambassadors of Light. I photographed the group with Tita Helen, each holding white and pink roses for her. Then, we shouted: “Mabuhay ang ilaw ng pamana [Long live the light of legacy]! Tita Helen, happy birthday!”
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