Women of Malolos award for Belgian woman

By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief

MANILA — For her tireless efforts in promoting education among young women in Visayas, a woman from Belgium has been bestowed the Women of Malolos award from the Order of the Knights of Rizal.

Madame Brigitte van Ypersele (née de Bus de Warnaffe) received the award during the Order’s nationwide assembly held in Brussels recently.

The Women of Malolos is the highest citation that the Order gives to a woman of exceptional achievement who has exemplified the ideals of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

The Order lauded Madame Brigitte’s inspiring and steadfast humanitarian work that highlighted the spirit of the Women of Malolos Award toward public service.

Her work included equipping young scholars with education that will be the foundation for their future, as well as the confidence and determination to reach for their aspirations for a purposeful life.

Madame Brigitte, in her remarks, said she has found joy and fulfillment in her work in the Philippines.

She thanked a team of about 30 Filipinos that oversaw multiple projects benefiting women and children in need for the past 30 years.

She is married to Compte Jacques van Ypersele de Strihou, who has served as the Principal Private Secretary of the King of the Belgians from 1983 to 2013.

He and their children and grandchildren were present in the ceremony.

The Women of Malolos award is given once a year.

Its previous recipient was Madame Brigitte Ayrault, wife of Jean Marc Ayrault, former Prime Minister of France./PN