WHAT do Dr. Roel Z. Cagape and Divina T. Fabra have in common? They were recipients of the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA), formerly known as the Mother Teresa Award.
The recognition is dedicated to the late Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who was known before her death in 1997 as the “Living Saint.” Mother Teresa is known for being selfless in her humanitarian work and the ideals, which she embodied in her entire life. Cagape won the award in 2013 and Fabra in 2015, making them the “modern-day saints.”
Cagape is a physician and philanthropist who has provided medical assistance to tribal communities in remote areas. His notable projects include “Ambulansyang Kabayo,” “I-txt Si Doc” consultation through mobile phone and child-feeding programs in the mountains of his hometown in Sarangani province. Meanwhile, Fabra is a missionary from New Tribes Mission who gave up her life in the city and live instead with the Aetas of Banauen, Zambales, teaching them to read and write and improving their health care.
BTCA’s mission
The scheduled canonization of Mother Teresa on September 4 will again put the spotlight back on modern-day saints, as the BTCA launched its 29th search for these selfless individuals. The news conference for the launching was held in Makati City recently.
The Nobel Peace Prize Winner in 1979, Blessed Teresa’s name is synonymous to compassion and her life’s works of service to the poor has inspired many to follow the same path. It was in this context that the BTCA was formed in 1983 between the Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco (AY) Foundation Inc. and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila to celebrate the individuals who have given back to the community through their own social causes that benefit the marginalized members of society, the BTCA information materials said.
BTCA’s mission is to encourage the public to focus on the importance of helping others by recognizing individuals who have dedicated a significant part of their lives by serving the “poorest of the poor,” just like Blessed Teresa. The winner is set to receive a grant worth P1.5 million in cash and in kind.
“In honor of this historic event and through the rich generosity of our benefactors who also share our mission of providing development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change, the grant for this year is at a record high,” Gio Valencia, 2016 chairman of the BTCA, said at the awards launching.
Service in the glory of God
When asked if how the award changed them, Cagape quipped, “Personally, this may sound funny but now, I already know how to operate the shower in the hotel room. Because I only got to check-in when there’s an invitation from JCI…for 30 years I spent my life in the mountain.” Seriously, he said, many people now recognized him after he received the award.
“I now receive many donations for my mission,” he said partly in Filipino. For her part, Fabra said many happened in her life after receiving the award. “[During the awarding] it was my first time to face the media after I joined the tribesmen for so long. It was really Mother Teresa who placed me where I am now,” she said.
When asked of their respective advice for the next winner, Cagape said ,“Whatever you do to the poor, do it for the glory of God.”
Fabra said: “Serving others will truly give you joy than having lots of money.”
Nominations are now open for any person, regardless of age, gender, race, nationality and religion, who has dedicated himself or herself fully and selflessly to humanitarian work among underprivileged Filipinos for at least 25 years. Deadline of nomination is July 9. The nomination form is on BTCA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BTCAward). Only completed nomination forms shall be accepted. Full list of rules and regulations can also be found at the back of the nomination form.