The Indomitable Amparito

CEBU, Philippines - The Colegio de San Jose Recoletos was founded in 1947 by the Order of the Augustinian Recollects. It started with only elementary and secondary education in 1947. Classes were held in an old building and a portion of the convent. However in 1968,   giving way to progress,   a six-storey edifice was built along P. Lopez   to accommodate more students and expand the school facilities and instructional resources. 

On September 21, 1984, then CSJ-R, attained university status. Spanning years of accreditation, USJ-R Level 3 (PAASCU) was granted Autonomous Status by the Commission on Higher Education in 2001.

The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various disciplines from the Schools of Business, Education, Liberal Arts and Science & Technology.

Through the years, the University has produced graduates who have succeeded in various fields of endeavor. Majority of them are successful because they are equipped with the capability of being productive citizens who continuously contribute to a global and rapidly changing society. More important is the fact that USJ-R promotes character and such values as integrity, respect for oneself and others, decency and responsible behavior in society. This heritage and legacy continue today.

The University likewise gives honorary distinction of varied levels, the most appreciated one being that of honorary doctor (doctor honoris causa) to individuals   who have contributed notably to his or her field of expertise, higher education or a specific institution.

It is with pride and pleasure that the University of San Jose Recoletos will confer the degree Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) to   Amparito Llamas Lhuillier on March 19. 2012. She will be the first lady to receive such an honor. She will join the list of other Honoris Causa Awardees such as former Ambassador Francisco Benedicto, Doctor of Humanities, 1987; former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Marcelo Fernan, Doctor of Humane Letters, 1989; clergyman Jose Cardinal Sanchez, Doctor of Humane Letters, 1997; businessman Norberto Quisumbing Jr. Doctor of Humanities, 2005; and Roberto Aboitiz, Doctor of Science in Business Management, 2010.

Amparito Llamas Lhuillier studied at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila. She then pursued her studies at St. Paul's College, also in Manila. After graduation, she became a teacher at the San Lorenzo Pre-School in Makati, which was the first pre-school in the Philippines. She also taught reading at the Assumption Convent; Spanish language at the International School and did private tutorials.

In 1994, she married Cebuano businessman Michel Lhuillier, presently Honorary Consul of France in Cebu. While their children were growing up, she became a full time mother, teaching them Christian values and the importance of hard work.

Her creativity and entrepreneurial skills came to light when she ventured into crafting children and ladies’ dresses at their home in Lahug. In 1995, her passion and dedication   for education was rekindled when she set up the Amparito Llamas Lhuillier Educational Foundation (ALLEF) with the help of Dr. Milagros Espina, then Dean of Arts and Sciences at the University of San Jose Recoletos.

Through the years, ALLEF has given tuition subsidy to over 1,000 deserving scholars specifically to those with academic and theatrical skills. The scholarship budget is estimated at 8 million pesos. There were also 12 Faculty thesis-dissertation grantees and two ETEEAP recipients.

Added to these impressive numbers are 140 high school students given annual scholarships from among the children of employees of M. Lhuillier, Inc. 

The ALLEF scholarships have provided equal educational opportunities to qualified and gifted students. A good number of scholars continue to promote USJ-R and Cebu abroad while at the same time succeeding in their chosen careers.

Amparito Lhuillier's humanitarian and charitable deeds include annual pledge of donations to the Verbum Dei Foundation that assists vocations for priesthood; the feeding and medical missions of the St. Joseph Foundation; The Little Bamboo Educational Foundation that help pre-shoolers in distressed areas; the St. Martin de Porres School; the worldwide children's charity called   Operation Smile that heals the smiles of children with cleft-palate, facial disfigurements and hare-lip, forever changing their lives; and Barrio Kamagong in Lahug for civic concerns.

The honoree is also very active in several organizations. She is the founding member and president of the French International Gourmet Society, La Chaine des Rotisseurs - Cebu Chapter and Amigos de España in Cebu, which promotes the dissemination of Spanish language and culture. She is also a consistent supporter of the Arts Council of Cebu Foundation.

In 1988, Lhuillier was appointed to the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission where she initiated several fund raising projects to refurbish the Cebu City Library and Museum. 

While it is a fact that Amparito Lhuillier has achieved all these recognition on her own merit, it is worthy to mention that she is blessed with a caring and always supportive husband, Michel. Her children: Charles who is based in Manila, Michael in California, Yvette in Paris and Monique in the U.S. all respect and adore her. She is a loving grandmother to 10 adorable grandchildren.

Amparito Llamas Lhuillier has played all these roles with spirited style and flare. She is strong and beautiful. Her energy is inexhaustible and she has the courage to withstand the pressures of living in the limelight constantly, and above all, she has enough strength and faith to continue her exemplary mission.

Enhorabuena, Amparito!