Prudenciana Cruz
Encyclopedia
Prudenciana Comiling Cruz (born Prudenciana Dumagan Comiling on May 19, 1943) is the sixteenth director of the National Library of the Philippines
, having acceded to the position on December 7, 2001. She is affectionately called "Nani" by both patrons and staff of the National Library, alluding to her motherly qualities and her use of these qualities in running the library.
, Bohol
on May 19, 1943, the second of four children born to Dionisio Comiling and Victoriano Dumagan. She graduated from the University of San Carlos
in Cebu City
majoring in library science, and later on completing her graduate studies at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
.
Cruz began her career as a librarian in 1964 at the Divine Word College of Tagbilaran (presently Holy Name University
), where she served as chief librarian. In 1970, she became senior librarian of the Bohol Provincial Library, and later on joined the ranks of the National Library of the Philippines
. She was appointed director of the National Library by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
on December 7, 2001 at the recommendation of her predecessor, Adoracion B. Mendoza, to whom she served as assistant director.
During her tenure as director of the National Library, she has served as head of the steering committee in charge of the Philippine eLibrary. In addition, the Children's Library and the Philippine President's Room of the Filipiniana Division were opened in 2007.
National Library of the Philippines
The National Library of the Philippines is the official national library of the Philippines. The complex is located in Ermita on a portion of Rizal Park facing T.M. Kalaw Avenue, neighboring culturally significant buildings such as the Museum of Philippine Political History and the National...
, having acceded to the position on December 7, 2001. She is affectionately called "Nani" by both patrons and staff of the National Library, alluding to her motherly qualities and her use of these qualities in running the library.
Biography
Cruz was born in AlburquerqueAlburquerque, Bohol
Alburquerque is a 5th class municipality in the province of Bohol, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 9,644 people.The town's short name is "Albur"...
, Bohol
Bohol
Bohol is an island province of the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region, consisting of Bohol Island and 75 minor surrounding islands. Its capital is Tagbilaran City. With a land area of and a coastline long, Bohol is the tenth largest island of the Philippines...
on May 19, 1943, the second of four children born to Dionisio Comiling and Victoriano Dumagan. She graduated from the University of San Carlos
University of San Carlos
The University of San Carlos is a Roman Catholic university governed by the Society of the Divine Word since 1935 in Cebu City. It offers pre-elementary and basic education as well as undergraduate and graduate courses, and a broad spectrum of academic programs through its eight colleges.It...
in Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
majoring in library science, and later on completing her graduate studies at the University of the Philippines, Diliman
University of the Philippines, Diliman
The University of the Philippines Diliman , is a coeducational and public research university located in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the flagship university, seat of administration, and the fourth oldest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System...
.
Cruz began her career as a librarian in 1964 at the Divine Word College of Tagbilaran (presently Holy Name University
Holy Name University
Holy Name University or HNU is a Catholic institution of higher learning located in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines. It is a private, non-profit, co-educational university run by the Society of the Divine Word or SVD...
), where she served as chief librarian. In 1970, she became senior librarian of the Bohol Provincial Library, and later on joined the ranks of the National Library of the Philippines
National Library of the Philippines
The National Library of the Philippines is the official national library of the Philippines. The complex is located in Ermita on a portion of Rizal Park facing T.M. Kalaw Avenue, neighboring culturally significant buildings such as the Museum of Philippine Political History and the National...
. She was appointed director of the National Library by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
on December 7, 2001 at the recommendation of her predecessor, Adoracion B. Mendoza, to whom she served as assistant director.
During her tenure as director of the National Library, she has served as head of the steering committee in charge of the Philippine eLibrary. In addition, the Children's Library and the Philippine President's Room of the Filipiniana Division were opened in 2007.
Private life
Cruz is married to Rodrigo A. Cruz, a retired expert on livestock production. They have three children and three grandchildren.Awards
- 2004: Philippine Librarians Association Hall of Fame Award
- 2005: ADOC Award for Best e-Practices
- 2006: Philippine Librarians Association Service Award
- 2006: Ten Outstanding Boholanos Around the World
- 2007: Outstanding Librarian Award, Professional Regulation CommissionProfessional Regulation CommissionThe Professional Regulation Commission , otherwise known as the PRC, is a three-man commission attached to the office of the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Its mandate is to regulate and supervise the practice of the professionals who constitute the highly skilled manpower of the...
- 2008: Sectoral Awardee in Government, Ulirang Ina 2008