2000 Gawad Alab ng Haraya Awardee

(Alab ng Haraya Awards)

A tenacious advocate of cultural development for values education, her work with the Metropolitan Museum of Manila demonstrates most clearly where her heart lies. Espousing the use of Philippine studies as tools to teach various disciplines, Felice Prudente Sta. Maria has proven instrumental in intensifying people’s understanding and appreciation of the museum as a learning center.

She pioneered a distinct brand of museum pedagogy, focusing her efforts on conveying learning, skills, and values to allow Filipinos, especially schoolchildren, to fulfill their potential. In her view, museum education could serve as a support and a viable alternative to the traditional educational set-up. Accordingly, she developed guidelines geared towards these goals. So far-reaching were the goals that programs at the Metropolitan Museum continue to conform to the same standards.

Further, she began a bilingual approach in museum programs, highlighting Filipino ideals for the public, convinced as she was of the merits of Filipino as a medium for communication and instruction. Again, this strengthened her standing as a trailblazer in the field of museum management.

She reiterated these same criteria and principles in the re-tooling of the National Centennial Committee Centennial Freedom Trail.

A tireless champion of the need for professionalization in museum work, she accented the need for employees to continuously improve their skills even as they maintain the highest of standards in the workplace. In this way, they ensure their place as significant contributors to the museum and everything it represents.

Her work with both the International Council of Museums (ICOM)—Philippines, a UNESCO affiliate, and the National Committee on Museums (NCOM) granted her latitude to carry out two important ends: restructure the NCOM to more closely parallel the ICOM and sustain its reinvigorated participation in the operations of the international council.

Along with her commitment to museum work, she stands as a multi-awarded publisher and writer, having penned diverse works ranging from biographies to children’s literature to cultural volumes.

Her "In Excelsis" pays homage to the accomplishments of Jose Rizal through beautiful photographs and powerful narrative. And she continues this grand tradition with "Visions of the Possible: Legacies of Philippine Freedom." Through unforgettable vignettes, rare photographs, and other symbols of patriotism, she illuminates a path back into the days of a nation becoming and celebrates how an awakened people learn to adapt their newfound democracy to their continually transforming needs and expectations.

Through her involvement and commitment both to museum work and to literature, Sta. Maria proves worthy of the faith and esteem of her colleagues. Corazon S. Alvina of the Metropolitan Museum says, "Her work is fired by a sincere belief that Filipinos can achieve great things and are not the flawed creatures that they are made out to be."

Gawad Alab ng Haraya at Dangal ng Haraya Guidelines