Banaag
Jean Paul Verstraeten
Belgium
One need not be a Filipino to serve the poor and needy in the Philippine
countryside. Mr. Jean Paul Verstraeten easily proved this point when he took
on the task of promoting livelihood, health, and education programs in
underprivileged communities in the country for almost 30 years.
A former medical student with an unwavering interest in health issues,
Mr. Verstraeten’s extensive community service in the Philippines which started
in 1977 centered on health programs for the most destitute and underserved
groups – the handicapped, leprosy patients (or Hansenites), people inflicted
with HIV/AIDS, and cultural minorities. Displaying a rare kind of devotion and
concern, he worked with various government and non-government organizations to facilitate the transfer of donations
from Belgium, United States, and other countries to the Philippines. In less than three decades, he was able to
solicit donations of eyeglasses, medicines, and medical equipment from overseas donors with an estimated value
of P20 million.
Ultimately, his fearless involvement in programs for Hansenites confined at Culion Sanitarium and HIV/
AIDS patients under the care of the Department of Health (DOH) gained public attention. He was featured in
several local and international television programs such as The 700-Club, The World Tonight, TV Patrol, Inside
Story, Flashback Show, The Essential Christ, and Metterdaad Netherlands. In 1990, the Philippine Media
Practitioners Association cited his accomplishments by presenting him the Outstanding Humanitarian Services
and Civic Leader Award. He also received nominations for Rotary Club of Intramuros’ National Award for Community
Service and Mother Theresa Award, in 1992 and 1993 respectively.
His contributions in uplifting the standard of education in underprivileged barangays and municipalities in
the Philippines are just as worthy of recognition. Noting the shortage of school buildings in the more remote areas
in Culion, Mr. Verstraeten assisted in raising funds for the construction of two school buildings in Baldat and
Jardin, Culion. He was instrumental in delivering donated academic and activity books, blackboards, sewing
machines, and other needed school supplies and equipment to different public schools in Calapan, Oriental
Mindoro and Culion, Palawan. He also introduced an annual scholarship program where deserving and indigent
students were presented with a better opportunity for a higher level of education and a brighter future. In recognition
of his numerous contributions to their municipality, the Sangguniang Bayan of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro passed
a resolution proclaiming Mr. Verstraeten as the municipality’s adopted son.
Wishing to extend educational and livelihood assistance to other areas as well, he provided help whenever
and wherever it is needed. When the Philippines was devastated by a series of typhoons in 1993, Mr. Verstraeten
lost no time in sending food, clothes, and medicines. He is also known to be a diligent benefactor of some
government projects, such as Department of Education’s Classroom Galing sa Mamamayang Pilipino Abroad
(CGMA) Project and several feeding programs of local governments in Metro Manila.
Any doubts that Mr. Verstraeten has a Filipino heart will go away after reading the various researches,
published books and articles he wrote about the life of the Filipino national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. His devotion and
respect for our national hero also motivated him to work for the installation of a marker in a house in Brussels
where Dr. Rizal stayed during his sojourn in Europe. At present, he is an officer of Knights of Rizal, a duly
chartered civic, patriotic, non-sectarian and non-partisan organization, established to honor the wisdom and
memory of Dr. Rizal.
True to his lifetime pursuit in contributing to the country’s development, Mr. Verstraeten is currently
working on the “Kababayan Model Village” Project in Balibago, Calatagan, Batangas. The project aims to build
the infrastructure for livelihood and skills training, housing for displaced children and the elderly, and a health
center for nearby towns. Approximately 25 barangays and 8,000 families in Calatagan are expected to benefit
from this program.
In conferring the Banaag Award to Jean Paul Verstraeten, the President recognizes his unwavering support
and commitment to promote the health and education of disadvantaged Filipinos, and his invaluable contribution
in propagating the teachings and ideals of Dr. Jose Rizal in the Philippines and in Europe.
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