Antonio C. Delgado
Antonio Concepcion Delgado (December 21, 1917 - December 7, 1992) became Philippine Ambassador to the Vatican
Early life
Antonio was born on December 21, 1917 in San Pablo, Laguna to Jose Maria Delgado (June 20, 1887 - December 24, 1978), who became the first Philippine Ambassador to Vatican and Felisa Concepcion. He is the fourth of the eight children.
Carrer at Boy Scouts of the Philippines
He became part of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines contingent to the 3rd World Scout Jamboree in Godollo, Hungary in 1929.
The founding of Boy Scouts of the Philippines
On October 31, 1936 the Boy Scouts of the Philippines was founded by virtue of Commonwealth Act 111 signed by President Manuel L. Quezon. The charter members were Joseph E. H. Stevenot, Jorge B. Vargas, Carlos P. Romulo, General Vicente Lim, Judge Manuel Camus, Arsenio N. Luz, and Gabriel Daza.
Education
He graduated valedictorian in high school at San Beda College in 1933. He graduated Magna Cum Laude of the Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineeringat University of Santo Tomas in 1937.
Carrer at the Philippine Army
He fought with the Philippine Army during World War II.
Marriage
In 1945 he married to Nellie Chuidian, they had four children namely, Jose Roberto Delgado, Lolita Delgado, Jose Antonio Delgado and Jose Eduardo Delgado.
Loss of Jose Antonio Delgado
On July 28, 1963, Jose Antonio died along with 19 other Boy Scouts and 4 Scout Masters when the plane crashed near Indian Ocean as they were heading to Marathon, Greece for the 11th World Scout Jamboree.
The Founding of Delgado Brothers Incorporated
In 1946, He founded the Delgado Brothers Incorporated nd transformed it into the largest fully integrated transportation company in the Philippines. He founded nine companies namely after him they were:
- Caltex Floating Station
- Delgado Stevedoring
- Delgado Overland Corporation
- Delgado Brokerage Corporation
- Delgado Air Cargo
- Delgado Shipyard Corporation
- United Services CorporationWood-Mosaic (Phil) Inc.;
- The Delgado Brothers Hotel Corporation which owned the Manila Hilton (First 5 star hotel in the Philippines)
1950's
He became director of some companies they were:
- Private Development Corporation
- Manila Electric Company (Meralco)
- First United Bank
- Republic Cement Corporation;
- Philippine Radio Educational and Information Center
1960's
He also appointed in some positions they were:
- Philippine Chamber of Industries - President
- Industrial Finance Committee - Chairman
- Chamber of Commerce - Member
- Management Association of the Philippines - President
- Philippine Council of Management - Board Governor
- American Management Association - Member
Award from the Business Writers Association of the Philippines
In 1954 he named as Employer of the Year and in 1959 He also named as Business Executive of the Year of the Business Writers Association of the Philippines.
Other recognitions
He receive many awards from the different organizations:
- Knight Commander with Star of St. Silvester
- Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
- The Silver Buffalo by the World Scout Committee in 1970
- The Bronze Wolf in 1971, the only distinction of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, awarded by the World Scout Committee for exceptional services to world Scouting, at the 22nd World Scout Conference in Otaniemi, Finland
- The Silver Tamaraw Award, the highest award given by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines to volunteer workers
- The Silver Fir Tree Medal of Merit by the Boy Scouts of Austria
- The Bronze Usa and Gold Medal of Merit by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines
- The Presidential Gold Plaque for services rendered on the 10th World Scout Jamboree by the President of the Philippines
- The Gran Cruz de la Orden del Merito Civil from the Spanish Government
- The Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX, the highest award for laymen from the Vatican
- The Grand Cross “Pro Militense” from the Sovereign Order of Malta, Pilgrim Medal (Jerusalem) of Pope Leo XII
- Doctorate “Honoris Causa” in both Canon Law and Civil Law – Pontifical University of the Lateran of Rome
Position in the Boy Scouts of the Philippines
In 1971, President Ferdinand E. Marcos appointed him as the first Asian chairman Asian World Scout Committee of the World Organization of the Scout Movement which lasted until 1973.
Ambassadorship
In 1975, he became second Philippine Ambassador to Vatican after his father Jose Maria Delgado was appointed by President Carlos P. Garcia.
Beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz
He discovered Lorenzo Ruiz as a candidate for sainthood and worked for the beatification of Lorenzo Ruiz and his Companions by Pope John Paul II in Manila on 18 February 1981. It was the first time in centuries for these rites to be held outside Rome.
Post Ambassadorship
In 1982 he retired to private life, he offered his dedicated work for the catholic faith. He wrote the book: “The First Filipino Saint,” published by the Ala-Ala Foundation Inc.
Canonization of Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz
In 1987, commissioned the Vatican Mosaic Studio to prepare a mosaic image of Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, which was installed at the Altar of the Martyrdom of St. Peter in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Death
He died on December 7, 1992 of Natural Causes at his home in Makati City, Metro Manila 14 days before his 65th birthday.