The Benita and Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF) recently announced the passing of BCYF honorary chair Dr. Benita Saplala Yap last September 12. She was 90.
A historian, educator, and writer, Dr. Yap is described as a “woman who recognized, embraced, and lived out her higher purpose rooted in consciousness and service, love of God, and love of others.”
She was married to Catalino Yap, who put up and managed St. Anthony Institute (now St. Anthony College of Technology or SACT in Mabalacat, Pampanga) in 1945. In 1947, Benita and Catalino co-founded Dau Academy (now Saint Mutien College).
When Dr. Yap took over as president of both schools in 1993 upon her husband’s death, she established the SACT Graduate School and from there the St. Anthony School System.
Memories and Thoughts is one of several books written by Dr. Yap. The book chronicles her experiences and insights on family, relationships, and the academe. In chapters of the book, she wrote vivid accounts of life as a young Filipina at the time of the Japanese occupation and the American liberation.
She matured early, she recalled, as she and her family tried to survive during war time. She remembered eating raw camote, walking great distances, and being strengthened by the hardships she faced daily.
Her philosophy of life was: “Live each day to the best of your ability as it may be your last.”
The BCYF, the foundation established in honor of the Yap couple, envisions a better society in Asia (starting with the ASEAN) built by citizens who contribute to social development and live a lifestyle of personal social responsibility.
BCYF also promotes social entrepreneurship through its Institute for Social Enterprise and Development
The Small Enterprises Research and Development Foundation (SERDEF) is one of the BCYF partners in its social entrepreneurship mission.