CARMEN V. DE LUNA - National Historical Commission of the ...

CARMEN V. DE LUNA
(1873-1962)
“Educator’s Educator”
A model educator and philanthropist, Carmen de Luna devoted more than 60 years of
her life to the education of the Filipino youth. Her long, continuous, and untiring service in the
field of education earned her the distinction as the “educator’s educator.”
Born in San Miguel, Manila on July 16, 1873 to Sebastian de Luna and Iglecia Villajuan
of Catanawan, Tayabas, she obtained her early education as an interna in the private Catholic
School of Anacleta Abrera in Binondo. A maestra elemental in a private in 1890, she earned
the title of maestra superior at the Assumption Convent in 1894. She passed the government
examination for a teaching license in the same year.
In 1907, the year she completed her bachelor of arts and science degree, she became one
of the co-founders of Centro Escolar de Señoritas. She worked hard to improve the quality of
teaching in the then already internationally recognized institution. When the educational
system under the American rule included English as part of the school curriculum, she sailed
with Librada Avelino to Hong Kong where they took up English courses. Upon his return, they
pioneered in the teaching of English at Centro Escolar.
With the death of Avelino in 1934, Miss De Luna assumed the presidency of Centro
Escolar. Although she was a strict disciplinarian, she was nevertheless well loved “for tempering
discipline with justice” and for caring deeply for her fellowmen. She held the highest position at
that institution from 1934 until her death on November 4, 1962.
Lovingly known as Maestra Mameng, De Luna was actively involved in civic, religious,
and charitable work. She was a member of the Liga de Mujeres; La Gota de Leche, an
orphanage; Oblates of the Nuestra Señora de Monserrat in San Beda College; Cofradia de
Nuestra Señora del Carmen, and the Cofradia de San Jose Recoletos. She served as president of
the Asociacion de Sta. Teresita and Santo Entierro of the Dominican Order. Among the many
objects of her beneficence were the Carmelite sisters in Manila and Lipa City, the Good
Shepherd and the sisters of Sta. Catalina College.
In recognition of her philanthropy and civic-mindedness, she received the papal award
from Pope Pius XII in 1950, for her religious leadership in Catholicism; gold medal award
during the golden jubilee of the Philippine Educational System, for her enduring contributions
in the field of private education and for being one of the founders of Centro Escolar University;
award of merit from President Quirino on July 13, 1949, for her educational, civic, and social
services to the Filipino youth; medal and a diploma of merit on November 29, 1950 from the
Spanish government, for her advocacy of the study of the Spanish language and culture in the
Philippines; and presidential award on March 25, 1961, for her outstanding achievements in
education and civic activities.
On July 16, 1973, the National Historical Institute installed a historical marker in her
honor at the CEU building on Mendiola Street, San Miguel, Manila.
References.

Ancheta, Herminiana M. and Michaela Beltran-Gonzalez, Filipino Women in Nation Building,
Phoenix Press, Inc. Quezon City, 1984.
Cornejo, M.R. Commonwealth Directory of the Philippines, 1939.
Varias,-de Guzman, Jovita, Ed. Women of Distinction : Biographical Essay on Outstanding
Filipino Women of the Past and the Present. Philippines : Bukang Liwayway, 1967.