LIGAYA LUALHATI-TANKEH, BSE-HE’54; Director
MA, Ph. D. Organization Development, Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute (SAIDI), School of Organization Development

Originally trained to be an ideal homemaker, Ligaya has fruitfully parlayed her gifts into the multiple roles of an educator, business executive, and cultural patron.

She is at present Board Chairman and President of Calaca Academy, Calaca, Batangas (since 1988); Member of the Board of Directors (since 1989) and Dean of the College Department (since 2005) of Mabini College of Batangas, Mabini, Batangas; and President of the Taal Heritage Foundation.

Ligaya began her professional life as an Instructor (Biology, Home Economics, General Science) at the Lyceum of the Philippines (1954-1956). She shifted to shipping when she was appointed Treasurer of Philippine Ace Lines in 1960-1971. She moved over to a related industry (exports), where she became President of CLEMLI Enterprises in 1971-1986. Even more money came her way when she was named Chairman of the Board and President of the Rural Bank of Mabini, Batangas, in 1965-2011. She further added cold cash to her larder as President of the Ligaya Ice Plant in Mabini, Batangas (1989-1993).

She is a member of several alumni and civic organizations of which she has invariably become a top-level officer: Member of the  Board of Directors, UP Alumni Association (2008, UP Centennial Year); President (1995-1997) and Vice President (2009-2012) of the UP Home Economics Alumni Association; Treasurer, UP Alumni Cooperative (2009-2011); President, UP Sigma Delta Phi Alumni Association (2008-2010); President, Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Makati (1986-1996, 2000-2005); President, Young Women’s Christian Association of the Philippines (1996-1998); President, Soroptimist International of Makati (1996-1998); District Director, Soroptimist International Philippines Region Metro Manila South East (2000-2002).

As President of the Taal Heritage Foundation, Ligaya has entertained PATA Conference Delegates and showcased Taal, Batangas, as a heritage town; staged cultural presentations at Escuela Pio; converted Punzalan House into a pension house; initiated among the townspeople the “Think Taal” mindset of Taal being a heritage town; plus a number of related cultural programs.

Third generation nuptials. Ligaya, second from right, glows with grand maternal pride at the wedding of a grandson.

From head to foot. Ligaya is the dignified image of a distinguished UPAA Director at the UP General Alumni-Faculty Homecoming and Reunion held on June 20, 2009, at the Ang Bahay ng Alumni, at UP Diliman.

Ageless and athletic! Grandmother Ligaya defies Father Time by giving the younger set a run for their money at the Soroptimist International of the Philippines Bowling Challenge 2011, in San Juan City on August 29, 2011

All together now. Ligaya, center, and similarly predisposed lady leaders make a sign with their forefingers at the First YWCA National Women’s Summit on Safety and Security, held on March 17, 2012.

Indefatigable leader. Ligaya delivers the opening message at the Soroptimist 23rd Mid-Biennial Conference at the Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City on May 13-14, 2011

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