The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has started the search for the 2021 Pro Deo et Patria and Catholic School Heroes candidates. The Association opened the nomination last March 24, 2021 and will end on May 15, 2021.
The Pro Deo et Patria is the highest award given to deserving individual/s who manifest exemplary love for God and country and his/her faithfulness to Catholic teachings as part of service to God. The awardee must be seen as a model of Christ the Teacher.
Past recipients of this award are the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin, the late President Corazon C. Aquino (posthumously), Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal (Cebu 2010), Fr. Anscar R. Chupungco, OSB (posthumously, Cebu 2013), Fr. Catalino G. Arevalo, SJ, Abp. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, D.D. O.P. (Davao 2014), Dr. Lourdes S. Quisumbing (Manila 2015), Amb. Henrietta De Villa and Cardinal Rosales, D.D. (Cebu 2016) Sr. Amelia G. David, ICM (Davao, 2017). Orlando Cardinal B. Quevedo, DD. (Mindanao, 2018), Sr. Josefina G. Nepomuceno, OSB (Iloilo, 2019) and Sr. Corazon P. Manalo, DC, AFSC (posthumously, Iloilo 2019). Just last year, the award was conferred to Fr. Roderick C. Salazar Jr., SVD. They were chosen by the members of the board from nominees recommended by member institutions, superintendents, or Regional Councils and vetted by the Membership and Awards Committee (MAC).