THE FRENCH government, through its Ambassador to the Philippine Renee Veyret, bestowed on UST Center for Human Resources and Development director Atty. Manuel Beaniza with the Ordre de Palmes Academiques during the French National Day.
According to Veyret, Beaniza was among the 10 Filipinos whom the French government considered as cultivators of Franco-Philippine relations and achievers in French education, culture, and the arts.
Beaniza, who speaks French fluently, finished his master’s degree in Economics of Tourism at the University of Aix-Marseille, France, as a French government scholar. He also co-founded the Philippines-France Professionals Association composed of former French government scholars in May 2001.
According to Beaniza, he has always been fascinated with French culture for a long time. “This privilege means something for me. I hadn’t asked for anything in return because I am able to practice my French and join their activities, but here it is. I am deeply honored (by the award),” he said.
Beaniza was given a medal of Chevalier, the rank of a knight. Elka Krystle R. Requinta
