Ateneo de Manila University is one of the country’s top universities. Each year, the university gives out The Traditional University Awards to chosen individuals or organizations. These awards recognize the life and works of men and women in society who exemplify the values of Ateneo de Manila University, and who have been transformative forces in society. One of these awards is the Parangal Lingkod ng Sambayanan (Public Service Award). This gives recognition to outstanding public service of an individual or organization. This year, Ateneo selected NVC Foundation as the recipient of this prestigious award.

We are humbled to have been honored by the Ateneo University alongside people whom we look up to. Other awardees for this year are multi-award-winning writer Lualhati Torres Bautista, Eva K. Galvey of the Emmaus Center, Doctor to the Barrios and former Department of Health Secretary Jaime Z. Galvez Tan MD, Edward S. Go of the Metro Pacific Group of Companies, Nobel-Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa, and former Vice President of the Philippines Atty. Leni Robredo.

The award of Edward S. Go was conferred posthumously in October 2021, Atty. Leni Robredo’s award was conferred in July 2022 and Maria Ressa’s award will be conferred in 2023. All other awards were conferred on the recipients on November 22, 2022 at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Accepting with a Grateful Heart

NVC Foundation President Millie Kilayko was accompanied on stage by Fr. Noli Blancaflor, a Bacolod-based secular priest with a Jesuit background who blesses all the work we do at NVC. After receiving the award, Ms. Kilayko delivered her acceptance speech.