- GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Olivia Villaflores Yanson, matriarch of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies, was conferred this morning, Aug. 30, with an honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Business Management (Honoris Causa) by the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City.
Yanson is known for being an entrepreneur and a philanthropist.
“My story is one that I will treasure along with so many people whom I have touched in my daily dealings as a nurse in early beginnings after college, followed by years when fate led me to becoming a successful entrepreneur,” Yanson said in her response after the conferment rites.
“This is God’s work and not mine. I am merely a vehicle for the Almighty God’s work here on earth,” she added.
The conferment of the degree to Yanson was led by Fr. Joel Alve, UNO-R president, with the hooding and capping ceremony officiated by Fr. Romeo Ben Pontencio Jr., and assisted by Dr. Dennis Madrigal, dean of the Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School.
Fr. Amadeo Lucero awarded the medallion and diploma, while Dr. Angelus Diamante inducted Yanson to the Blue and Gold Alumni.
Prior to her scheduled conferment of the honorary doctorate, Yanson received numerous recognitions from various institutions for her accomplishments, her charity and socio-civic works.
She is a recipient of the 2001 First Hamiling Bayawanon Award in the field of business and entrepreneurship, 2006 Oriental Negrense Award for outstanding achievement in social entrepreneurship, and the 2007 Signum Lasalianum (Award of Excellence), among others.
Yanson also founded the OVY Educational and Health Care Foundation Inc. that extends educational and health assistance to the underprivileged.
As an environmentalist, Yanson reforested more than 750 hectares of denuded land in Basay and Bayawan in Negros Oriental, and Talisay City in Negros Occidental.
Yanson is also a benefactor of several orphanages in Negros./GB
