Xavier School conferred the Xavier-Kuangchi Award for Exemplary Alumni on Hans T. Sy (XS ‘73) and BGen. Peter C. Suchianco (XS ‘83) last Thursday, July 11, 2019. The award recognizes Xavier alumni who have made a positive impact on their communities through their leadership and service in their respective fields. Both awardees were honored for their “generosity of spirit and compassion for others,” values nurtured in the formation of every Xaverian.
BGen. Peter Suchiano was recognized for his dedicated service as citizen-soldier and significant contribution to the development of the reservist movement of the AFP. His classmates and fellow officers paid tribute to his strength of character, tested from his early years as a working student, and for his passion to help others – even at risk to his personal safety – in numerous rescue missions and rehabilitation work in combat areas.
Hans Sy was honoured for his active and personal involvement in multiple philanthropies and for his committed advocacy for disaster risk reduction and climate change resiliency. The tribute highlighted his compassion for the children and families of Child Haus, a halfway house that provides shelter for indigent cancer patients seeking medical treatment in Manila. He was also recognized for being a leading voice in disaster resiliency, incorporating this in the design and construction of SM structures, and serving as the first Filipino member of the board of directors of the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.
In his closing remarks, school president Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ cited both men for “walking with the excluded” and “caring for our common home,” two key orientations that will guide all Jesuit ministries in the years to come. He praised them for being worthy role models “who are not only outstanding in their professional endeavors, but also blessed with generous hearts that make them spend their precious personal time and energy to quietly assist those in need.”
The ceremony was attended by over 200 guests, including students, alumni, and former and current members of the faculty, and was graced by the new mayor of San Juan, the Hon. Francis Zamora. The event was the culmination of a year-long search and screening process conducted by the awards committee chaired by board member Fr. Peter Pojol, SJ
