Special rice retail prices shoot up to P70/kilo

Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) chairman and president Manuel V. Pangilinan and eight others were conferred the papal award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice at the Manila Cathedral last Wednesday.

- EVELYN MACAIRAN

The award, which translates to “For Church and Pope,” is an honor given by the pope to the laity for their service to the Catholic Church. First instituted by Pope Leo XIII in 1888, the gold medal features the images of the Apostles Peter and Paul.

“You are sent to look for many opportunities to do good for others and to make more of our brothers and sisters feel God’s care, compassion, healing and love through you,” said Manila Archbishop Jose Cardinal Advincula, on behalf of Pope Francis, during the awarding.

Of the nine awardees, Pangil inan, Ayala Corp. board director Fernando Zobel de Ayala, PHINMA Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Ramon del Rosario Jr. are part of the board of trustees of Caritas Manila.

UnionBank former senior vice president Maria Goolsby and businessman Arnulfo Veridico are long-time supporters of the archdiocese's social action arm.