The Search Is On For The 29th Blessed Teresa Of Calcutta Award Recipient

Do you know someone who selflessly dedicated himself or herself to humanitarian work? He/she might just be the recipient of the 29th Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (BTCA).

Until July, anyone can nominate individuals whom they think are deserving of this award.

Launched in 1983 by AY (Alfonso Yuchengco) Foundation Inc. and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Manila, the BTCA aims to encourage the public to focus on the importance of helping the needy, and to recognize those who dedicated significant part of their lives to serve the “poorest of the poor.”

The award was created in honor of Blessed Teresa, who is known as the “living saint” because of her compassion and dedicated service to the poor.

One may wonder why, among many saints, JCI and AY Foundation chose Blessed Teresa of Calcutta.

“If I’m not mistaken, the Philippines is the second most visited country by Mother Teresa. She had charities here,” Gio Valencia, 2016 BTCA president, told the Philippines News Agency.

He added that Mother Teresa personally handed the first BTCA in 1983.

Anyone, regardless of race, religion, gender, who has served the needy and less privileged Filipinos for at least 25 years, is qualified for the award.

The primary basis for the selection of the awardee/s is the extent to which the nominee has humbly, and without seeking anything in return, devoted his/her life in the service of the less privileged members of the society.

Nomination forms may be found at BTCA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BTCAward). Only completed nomination forms will be accepted.

Nominations forms must be sent to BTCA Committee at JCI-Manila Clubhouse, Arquiza corner Grey Street, Ermita, Manila.

These can also be submitted online at 2016btca@gmail.com.

A total of Php1,500,000 prize in cash and kind awaits the winner (Php500,000 cash for the winner, Php 500,000 for the charity/community where he/she serves, and Php 500,000 in kind for the community/charity). Last year’s prize was Php1 million.

Valencia explained that the organizers wanted to make this year’s BTCA more special, because Blessed Teresa’s canonization is slated on Sept. 4, 2016.

He said there were about 28 nominees last year.

“We gather all nominations and screen them. But it’s still the judges who will decide who among the nominees are really qualified and who are not,” he explained.

Even though BTCA was launched 33 years ago, this year’s BTCA is just the 29th edition.

JCI-Manila said there were years when they withheld the award because they felt no one was deserving.

The judges include Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, Alfonso Yuchengco, JCI’s Dondon Bagatsing.

Announcement of winner/s will be on the first week of September. (PNA) SCS/MCCA