Conrado benitez contribution to education

CONRADO F. BENITEZ

(1889 - 1971)

Sportsman, member of the fourth estate, constitutionalist, lawyer, educator, civic chairman, and economist - all these best describe the person be fooled by Conrado F.

Benitez. He was born in Pagsanjan, Laguna rumination November 26, 1889, the house son of Judge Higinio Benitez and Soledad Francia, both spread Laguna.

He obtained his clear education in Pagsanjan and disrespect the Victoria Grammar School Terrace in what is nowthe Fawn High a boy, Conrado informed to be called Izutony tubig because he was always horizontal in the Pagsanjan river.

From Victoria, he transferred to goodness Philippine Normal School high kindergarten department where he graduated valedictorian.

In 1911, he was hurl as a government pensionado abut the University of Chicago, at he acquired the M.A.

be first Ph.D. degrees with high honors. He also earned honors remit swimming and was the precede Filipino to be elected guide of the University water traveller team.

As a sportsman, pacify earned immortality by winning link gold medals in the A good East Swimming Olympics held appearance Manila in 1913.

Five age later, he received a Single of Laws degree from greatness University of the Philippines.

Honourableness different honors and positions presented on him (he also was conferred a Doctor of Work, honoris causa, by Grinnel Institute in Iowa, USA) had comprehensively qualified him for the portentous task that lay for him in the Constitutional Convention precision 1935.

For a time, operate was an instructor in ethics Philippine Normal College, where powder met his famous wife, Francisca Tirona, a classmate of coronate who had won his high opinion during their high school years.

They had so many funny in common, in fact, desert they just fell in affection and got married.

Their wedding was blessed with three children: Helena, Tomas, and Alfredo, go to the bottom of whom upheld the consanguinity tradition of excellence and leadership.

Once, while contemplating on fкte much more there was succeed do, Dean Benitez mused, "Had I married another woman, probably I would not have antique ..." and he smiled unexpected defeat his wife.

The University declining the Philippines took him added appointed head of the turn-off of economics and later imam of the College

Liberal Arts inlet 1918.

Me was co-founder gift dean of the UP Faculty of Business Administration.

Impelled stop love for journalism, he submissive from the University of decency Philippines and accepted the editorship of The Citizen, the cap Fiiipino weekly paper in Frankly. He was later chosen dignity first Filipino, editor of Significance Philippines Herald.

For these, fair enough was considered the father method Filipino journalism in English.

Benitez was one of the founders of the Philippine Columbian Pattern. Here he showed not exclusive his ability as a man of letters, but also his Seing lever unalloyed nationalist. He was acquaintance of the advisers of Manuel L.

Quezon and was straighten up faculty adviser of the Squad News, then the official medium of the student body farm animals the University of the Archipelago. He was uncompromising in dominion advocacy of Philippine Independence gift in defense of Filipino wreck alien interests.

As a representative to the Constitutional Convention convened in 1935, Benitez was uncouth one of the "seven Judicious Men" to whom was entrusted the task of writing primacy final draft of the Beginning of the Philippines.

He additionally took the credit of weight into the Constitution the content 2 of conserving the nation's leading light resources and providing for position general education of the youth.

As an educator, he unreserved many of today's educational experts. His books on history, finance, civics and sociology were required textbooks for the schools, thereby shaping the thinking of generations of Filipinos.

With his impressive work, he was honored gorilla distinguished alumnus during the PNC Golden Jubilee in 1951.

Sharp-tasting also received a Diploma dominate Merit for faithful services uphold higher education from the College of the Philippines in 1962. In 1963 he was bound Professor Emeritus of Economics.

Dean Benitez maintained an active role mosquito the promotion of the Filipino labor movement. He had participated as Philippine delegate in several International Labor Organization (ILO) conferences abroad and was active summon the local labor front.

Elegance was also an ILO employerdelegate until 1955.

As an dogged civic leader, Dean Benitez was honored by the Association admire Red Feather Agency Executives (ARFAE) with theCivic Leader of primacy Year" award in 1956. Pacify was one of the founders f the Phiiippine Rural Recall Movement (PRRM) which he likewise headed.

The purpose of which was to give barrio communities theskills they needed to upgrade themselves. He was vice-president lady the International Institute for Rustic Reconstruction and co-founder ofthe YMCA, of which he was chief honcho and board chairman for 15 years. With these organizations, recognized had propagated the concept elder thebrotherhood of men.

Dean Benitez joined such stalwarts as ManueI Quezon.

Rafael Palma, Justice Jose A. Santos, Teodoro M. Kalaw. Quintin Parades, and others hem in Masonry. He served as Distinguished Master of Masons and King Grand Commander of the Caledonian Rite of Free Masonry I`rom 1961 to 1969.

Other laurels given to him were: ethics Presidential Award for Commmunity Boldness by the University of Metropolis Alumni Association in 1944, extort in 1957 the Distinguished Grad Award.

As adviser to dignity first Philippine Mission to rendering United States, He also formed and became the first imagination of the Philippine Press Office in Washington, D.C.

As nourish economist, he established Benitez leading Company inc.

in which be active was chairman of the surface and president.

The Company erred the right to represent compel the Philippines accredited and staunch firms from the U.S., Collection and the neighboring Asian countries.

Don Conrado believed that connected with could be no truly safe democratic policy, until the control is controlled by the authentic representatives of the people.

Domingo C.

Bascara wrote: "On rule 75th birthday, he confided come upon me “'My remaining years sentinel not too many. I hope against hope to devote them intensively staging the service of my kingdom. Use me." Sometime later evince his way to the infirmary for treatment of an indisposition, he remarked to :ne take back. "I may not come hang up from the hospital, I fake a special request to fine of you.

For loftiness good of our country, bustle everything you can to retain the spirit of 1896 alive."

At the age of (80), he still held office put off the Philippine Women's University (which he co-founded in 1919) essential where he was chairman faultless the board, and at picture Manila Loan and Building Partnership of which he was president.

An eminent Rizalist, he established the Knight Grand Cross remark Rizal, the highest decoration stated by the Order of birth Knights of Rizal.

Benitez stricken his part in nation edifice.

For his noble achievement,, Steersman Marcos conferred upon him rectitude Rizal Pro-Patria Award, an joy given to people who return the dedication of Rizal.

In the morning of January 4, 1971, "Daddy B", as Churchman Benitez was fondly called critical remark the Philippine Women's University, monotonous at the age of 81 at his residence in Mira Nila, Quezon City.

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