ShareThisMANILA, Philippines (January 20, 2014) – Filipino-American philanthropist, Loida Nicolas Lewis was given the Carlos P. Romulo Award for International Achievement by the United Nations Association of the Philippines for her ceaseless humanitarian work for and support of the Filipino global community.
“A recipient of the Carlos P. Romulo Award for International Achievement is someone who has helped put the Philippines on the map – someone who is known locally and internationally for their morality and integrity,” said Justice Aurora Navarratte Reciña, President of the United Nations Association of the Philippines and former Chairman of the Human Rights Commission. “Mrs. Lewis was chosen to receive the award because of her determination and sincerity to help other people. She might be based in the U.S., but her heart is definitely with the Philippines.”
Lewis, who graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Law (1960), was the first Asian American to pass the American Bar (1974) without having been educated in the United States. After her husband, Wall Street financier Reginald F. Lewis died; she took on the role of Chair and CEO of his investment firm, TLC Beatrice and successfully ran the company for many years before her retirement.
“I am honored to be chosen to receive the Carlos P. Romulo Award for International Achievement,” said Lewis. “He was a great achiever – a President of the UN General Assembly, a Secretary of Foreign Affairs and a recipient of many honors. To even be considered for the award is something that deeply humbles me and I would like my fellow Filipinos to share in this honor.”
As a philanthropist, Lewis has made invaluable and numerous contributions to the Filipino global community. She started the Lewis College in her hometown of Sorsogon, where exceptional children are given the chance at a world-class education. As chair of the U.S. Pinoy for Good Governance, Lewis and her fellow Filipino global leaders in the community are always on the look out for the good of their fellowmen at home and abroad. In 2011 to 2013, she also led the global Filipinos protest against China’s intrusion of West Philippine Sea. Culturally, she brought the Noli Me Tangere Opera to New York City and it became the first Tagalog opera to be staged in New York. Just last year, she played a pivotal role in the release of Rodelio “Dondon” Celestino Lanuza after 13 years of imprisonment in Saudi. Her next endeavor is advocating for the prison release of Paco Larranaga, who was the subject of the film, Give Up Tomorrow.
Another recipient of the Carlos P. Romulo Award for International Achievement is Patricia Licuanan, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd). A social psychologist and educator by profession (former President of Miriam College), Licuanan is a great advocate of women’s rights recognized not only in the Philippines but also in the Asia Pacific region. Her work on women’s issues spans more than a decade and includes serving in countless government and non-government organizations like the Philippine Commission on Women, United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, ASEAN Women’s Program, the Asia Pacific Women’s Watch and many more.
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