Maruxa Pita
Maruxa Pita | |
|---|---|
| Born | María Dolores Pita Lissarrague March 18, 1930 Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Known for | missionary, teacher, instructor, mentor and school principal |
| Awards | The Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (2011) People’s Choice Award (2012) |
Maruxa Pita (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈɾuʃa ˈpita]; born March 18, 1930) is a Spanish missionary and a former teacher who helped to establish the Institucion Teresiana School now known as Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City. In 1995, she established the Makabata School Foundation, Inc. in Pasig to help less fortunate Filipino children to study for free.[1][2]
Early life
Maruxa was born in Madrid in 1930. Her father's name was Antonino Pita and her 3 sisters: Carmen, Chita and Isabel. At the age of 17 she followed her older sister Chita and joined the Teresian Association that was founded by Father Pedro Poveda.[3]
In the Philippines
She arrived in the Philippines in 1959 to help establish the Institucion Teresiana School now known as Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City. She served as school principal from 1965 to 1973. She then taught Spanish at both the University of Santo Tomas from 1973 to 1979 and the Spanish Cultural Center from 1975 to 1979. She also worked as director of the Spanish Cultural Center where she organized all the teaching areas and managed the Spanish teachers from 1979 to 1993. In 1993, the Instituto Cervantes of Manila was established and she stayed as the academic head of the center. It was the first Cervantes established in Asia. The Instituto Cervantes gave a tribute to the tireless and outstanding teacher honoring her work in Spanish language in the Philippines and her dedication and commitment to help educate underprivileged children with her foundation.[1]
Trivia
At that time, Institucion Teresiana pre-school was co-ed. Maruxa recalls that she taught the four older children of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. and President Corazon Aquino, who included current President Benigno Aquino III. She says that "They were all together in school".[4]
Awards and recognition
- The Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (2011)[5]
- People’s Choice Award (2012)[2]
References
- ^ a b "Thank you, Señora Maruxa". Manila Bulletin Publishing Corporation. October 29, 2012.
- ^ a b "Spanish teacher gives hope to less fortunate Filipino children". InterAksyon. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013.
- ^ "Povedans honor Maruxa Pita, a lady with a big heart". PhilStar.com. April 17, 2013.
- ^ "Maruxa Pita: Angel Maruxa". PhilStar.com. February 16, 2012.
- ^ "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awards". JCI Manila. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013.