The Board of Trustees conferred the Xavier-Kuangchi Exemplary Alumni Award to Col. Ernesto Ravina, Jr. (’79) and Dr. Kelly Salvador (’78) last March 13, 2010, at the MPC. Witnessed by some two hundred alumni, batchmates, administrators, former teachers, students, family, and friends, the two awardees received their medals and delivered their acceptance speeches to a warm reception. (See speeches filed under Reflections.)

A special highlight of the evening was  the presentation of a Plaque of Appreciation to Chairman Emeritus, Amb. Bienvenido Tan, Jr., who retired from the Board in June 2009. After the program, the guests enjoyed a buffet dinner while the awardees were pressed into souvenir photos with different groups.

The special guest of honor that evening was the Fr. Provincial, the Rev. Fr. Jose Cecilio Magadia, SJ, who cited the example of Matteo Ricci as a role model for all Xaverians. Ricci was an eminent Jesuit missionary in China who introduced the Christian faith to the Chinese through friendship and inculturation. This year marks the 4th centenary of his death in China, where he was buried with imperial honors.

Instituted in 2006 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee, the award is named after the two role models of all Xaverians - St. Francis Xavier and Paul Hsu Kuangchi, a high-ranking imperial minister who converted to Christianity and became a great supporter of the Church’s mission in China. The award recognizes exemplary alumni who manifest to an outstanding degree the Xavier ideal of “men fully alive, endowed with a passion for justice, and the skills for development.”

This year’s awardees join past alumni honorees  including: Wellington Tong (’66), Francis Chua (’67), Atty. William Chua (’72), Gilbert Son (’72), Vicente Perez, jr. (’75), Dr. Edward Wang M.D.  (’75), Dr. Joaquin Yap, Jr. (’79),  Dr. Ricardo Quintos II, M.D. (’81), Atty. Ted Bonpin (’82), Atty. Richard Alianan (’83), and John Burtkenley Ong (’86).

(Nominations for next year’s awardees will be accepted until October 2010. Submit nominations in sealed envelopes to the Development and Alumni Relations Office c/o Fr. Ismael Zuloaga, SJ. The nominee must have graduated at least 20 years at the time of nomination. This covers the Class of 1990  and older.)