Tsinay philanthropist and humanitarian activist, Irene K. Yusingco was recently named one of the great Filipino humanitarians to received 2009 Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award.

Created by the Alfonso Yuchengo Foundation of the Yuchengco Group of Companies and the Junior Chamber International Manila, the annual honorarium named after Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mother Theresa, aim to honor great Filipinos.

Yusingco is honored due to her support to the less fortunate by opening her home to homeless children and abuse women.

She is the founder of Sacred Heart Parish Ladies Association in 1977 which helps the less fortunate start new lives. One of her programs was the building of the Francis lim Charity Clinic that serve the underprivileged parishioners and their families as well as providing regular feeding programs for undernourished kids.

“The lives of those who devote themselves to serving and uplifting the lives of the poorest of the poor in our society are incredibly inspiring. To sustain such selfless act of charity requires an extraordinary soul indeed,” AY Foundation Inc. Chairman Alfonso T. Yuchengco said in his message.

“In our 22nd year of giving the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award, we will once again commend another soul who has chosen the arduous yet consecrated path of lifelong charity. It is heartwarming to know that Blessed Teresa lives on in the lives of these people.”