20 August 2013 - Philippine Ambassador to Germany Maria Cleofe R. Natividad was conferred the singular “Distinguished Award” during the “Gabi ng Alumni” on the occasion of the 50th National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) Founding Anniversary and Alumni Homecoming on August 09 at the Le Pavillion Metropolitan Park in Pasay City.
The award was conferred in recognition of the Ambassador’s “distinct achievement as a leading practitioner in national security administration particularly in the field of international relations and in upholding the College’s tradition of excellence, strategic thinking and professionalism which she exemplified with utmost consistency in all her endeavors thereby heaping added honor and prestige to the National Defense College of the Philippines.”
Ambassador Natividad joined other illustrious NDCP alumni awardees such as former President Fidel V. Ramos and Vice President Jejomar C. Binay who were recipients of the Panday Golden Achievement Award.
In keeping with the 50 years of the NDCP, the theme for the celebration was “Keeping the Golden Flame Ablaze.”
President Benigno S. Aquino III, in a written message, stated that “the NDCP and its alumni community have been a positive force in the Philippines’ continuing march towards democracy, peace, and stability. Cutting across bureaucracies, and sectors in society, the wide and strong network of NDCP graduates remains an active component and example of national solidarity: strengthening our collective efforts to revitalize our institutions, encouraging meaningful public discourse, and fostering harmony in the Philippine polity.”
Vice President Binay, currently head of the NDCP Alumni Association, gave the keynote address during the occasion.
In his message, the Vice President stated that “NDCP and its graduates continue to be at the center and forefront of collective initiatives to ensure that important knowledge and skills are imparted to the country’s future leaders, both in public and private sectors.”
Ambassador Natividad completed her Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) with honors at the NDCP in 1999. In August 2007, she was also conferred the Outstanding National Defense College of the Philippines Alumnus Award by the NDCP Alumni Association. She is part of the MNSA Regular Class 33 under Dr. Clarita Carlos, the first lady civilian President of the NDCP, with Admiral (Ret.) and NTC Commissioner Abraham Abesamis, the Class Mayor. END