On the first evening of the presidential couple’s visit to Manila, a formal welcome dinner was held in honor of the President of Poland and his wife, to which I was invited by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. On the second day of the visit, the First Lady visited our home in Quezon City. First, she met with the sisters over coffee, and then with the participants of the pattern-making and sewing course. The meeting took place in a very pleasant atmosphere. During the meeting, the First Lady sat down at a sewing machine that had been set up in advance and worked alongside the participants. In the evening, the Presidential Couple held a meeting with the Polish community and invited guests. During this meeting, the President presented state decorations to six distinguished individuals, among whom I had the honor of being included. I received the Silver Cross of Merit for my missionary, social, and charitable work on behalf of poor Filipino families, as well as for promoting Polish culture abroad. I accepted this award with great emotion and gratitude. It is not only a great honor for me, but above all, an expression of recognition for the work we have been striving to carry out with dedication for years. Our ministry in the Philippines has always been more than just a duty. It is a ministry to others, whom we strive to help, accompany, and give hope for a better tomorrow. This award is an honor not only for me, but for the Congregation and for those who support us in various ways. For me personally, this award is a commitment to continue serving—with even greater dedication—the people we meet who need our help.
Sr. Agata Sobczyk