Long-time mentor Liwayway Cruz passed away on Oct. 21 in San Rafael, Bulacan due to myocardial infarction. She was 73.
Cruz was a devoted teacher for nearly 50 years, starting in 1973 as instructor at Martinez Memorial College; master teacher at Tondo High School; assistant professor at the Technological University of the Philippines; associate professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and special lecturer at Baliuag University.
She graduated from the University of the East with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Education, major in general science and minor in mathematics. She obtained her Master of Arts in Teaching Chemistry from TUP. She was a candidate for Doctor of Education Management at PUP.
She authored five textbooks on ecology, biology, anatomy and physiology, and general chemistry, apart from scores of modules, instructional materials and laboratory manuals. She also presented papers in international conferences in Brunei, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.
She was a perennial awardee as outstanding teacher in schools where she taught, and also won the following awards: Dr. Jose P. Rizal Huwarang Pilipino Award in 1999, Gintong Ina Honoree in 1998 and 1999, and KAMAGUPAT Guro ng Taon in 1991.
When she died, Cruz was still actively teaching several classes at PUP and Baliuag University.
She is survived by husband Rodolfo; children Anne Malazarte, Manila Bulletin columnist Tonyo Cruz, and Ryan; eight grandchildren; and a great grandson.
The eldest in a brood of nine Memijie siblings, she also left behind Lauro, Leopoldo, Liwanag, Ligaya, Leandro, Luis, Luningning and Lazaro. Their parents, Domingo Memijie and Lourdes Llarina, have passed on.
The urn containing Cruz’s cremated remains will be brought on Oct. 27-28 to PUP’s interfaith chapel in Sta. Mesa, Manila.