Benitez turns 98, still attends to her advocacies
Even as she turns 98 today, former Senator and ambassadorat- large Helena Benitez continues to this day wearing many hats expressed in several advocacies and causes she championed and espoused through the years.
Just two years short of being a centenary, she attends meetings and conventions as board chairperson of the Philippine Women’s University, charter lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, adviser of the National Council of Women of the Philippines and as founding president of Philippine Home Economics Association which she founded in 1948.
Having served in various capacities under ten of the country’s Presidents starting with Manuel Quezon, she considers being addressed to as educator and environmentalist the best tribute and compliment ever.
It was indeed a happy moment for Benitez when her colleagues in the Senate led by Senator Loren Legarda who sponsored Resolution no. 786, honored her for “service to the Filipino people and acknowledging her contribution as a Senator, pioneer environmentalist, educator, advocate of culture and civil society leader.” In her privilege speech last June 4, Sen. Legarda said, “during Dr. Benitez’ term in the Senate from 1968 to 1972, she authored laws on the environment and sustainable development even before these became national issues.”
Among these were the Municipal Forests and Watersheds Act (RA 5752), the Philippine (monkey-eating) Eagle Protection Act (RA 6147), the Tamaraw Sanctuaries Act in Mts. Baco and Iglit in Mindoro (RA 6148), the National Building Code Act (RA 6541) and The Forestry Profession Law (RA 6239).
Today, her family and institutional friends from the academe, civic society, government and religious will gather in thanksgiving and expression of love at the Orchard Golf and Country Club in Dasmarinas, Cavite to celebrate her birthday.
The Benitez family from the 2nd to 5th generation, with the celebrator will lead the treeplanting at the golf club. A mass officiated by Most Rev. Rolando Tirona as main celebrant, assisted by Fr. Wency Serafica and Paul Marguez, will follow at 11 a.m.
To welcome the guests is Conrado Benitez, II, president of the HZB Heritage Foundation, Inc., while song numbers will be dished out by Jose Antolin Benitez and Alfonso Conrado Benitez.