On the morning of January 9, 2006, St. Scholastica’s College paid tribute to her beloved alumna, the late Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma --- advocate of peace and social justice; a true and finished woman of character; a dedicated public servant who fought in the name of love and service to God, country and fellow Filipinos; a true Benedictine child.

Thirteen busses transported students, administrators, faculty and staff to Mt. Carmel Church in New Manila, Quezon City where a Holy

Mass was celebrated for Justice Palma.  Organized by the SSC President’s Office, the Centennial Office and the St. Scholastica’s Alumnae Foundation, Inc (SSAFI), the special Mass was a simple but powerful testament of SSC’s love for her departed alumna.  The church was filled not only with representatives of the SSC community but also with alumnae, relatives and friends of Palma’s family, many of whom were themselves Scholasticans. 

Concelebrants were Fr. Benildo Maramba, OSB, and Fr. Louie Niez, AM.  The liturgy was prepared by the Institutional Campus Ministry Team, and beautiful music provided by the School of Music, the High School and College Glee Clubs, and Sisters from the Manila Community and the Priory.  Stark white blooms adorned the altar, themselves a reminder of Celing --- simple, stately, and arresting.  So deeply moved were the family of Justice Palma by the beauty of both the music and the blooms that the School of Music was invited to play yet again at the final Mass the following day, and the SSAFI --- whose donation the flowers were --- was asked to help send Justice Palma off with an identical altar arrangement for the final Mass.   

Aside from the prayers offered for the soul of the late Justice, the celebration was also marked by a moving rendition of “Bless O Dearest Mother” by all gathered, and the singing of the College Hymn at the close of the Mass.  A highlight were the words of appreciation delivered by SSC President Sister Angelica Leviste, OSB and SSAFI President Ms. Gigi Prats, and the Responses delivered by three members of the Muñoz-Palma family led by first grandchild-and-namesake Cecilia “Chellie” P. Cardema (HS’79), and only daughter Pearl Palma-Cardema (HS’56).

Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma was the first woman justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, who defended human rights under the dark and oppressive period of military rule in the 1970s.  She was the woman who dared to openly criticize what she believed to be shortcomings of a military regime and its disregard of constituted principles and disrespect of the human rights of the weak and the oppressed.

Justice Palma was later appointed president of the 1986 Constitutional Commission which drafted a new Constitution for our country in 1987 - described as pro-God, pro-people and pro-poor. She has won the administration of those she met by her incisive mind, extensive culture, her modesty, high moral principles and deep religious feelings.

In an interview of women pioneers in their respective fields, Justice Palma was asked, "You have a strong sense of values and moral fortitude.  How did you attain them?"  She answered, "My mother always emphasized that we should preserve spiritual values first and foremost; from my father I learned integrity and courage to do what is right.  I got those from them.  And also from my Benedictine education at St. Scholastica's College, you know, that determination to be the best that you can, to do the work that is in your hands.  And as much as I was appointed to the judiciary, it required self-discipline, integrity, capacity for sacrifice, all of that, combined with my religious nature, believing that I cannot do anything without the help of God." n