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María Dolores "Maruxa" Pita Lissarrague (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈɾuʃa ˈpita]; March 18, 1930 – January 19, 2025) was a Spanish missionary and teacher, best known for helping to establish the Institución Teresiana, now known as Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City.

Early life

Maruxa Pita was born in Madrid on March 18, 1930. Her father's name was Antonino Pita and her 3 sisters: Carmen, Chita and Isabel. At the age of 17 she followed her older sister Chita and joined the Teresian Association that was founded by Father Pedro Poveda.

In the Philippines

Pita arrived in the Philippines in 1959 to help establish the Institución Teresiana, now known as Saint Pedro Poveda College in Quezon City. She served as school principal from 1965 to 1973. In its early years the Institución Teresiana pre-school was co-ed, and she taught the four children of former Senator Ninoy Aquino and former President Corazon Aquino, including the future President Benigno Aquino III.

She then taught Spanish at both the University of Santo Tomas from 1973 to 1979 and the Spanish Cultural Center from 1975 to 1979. She also worked as director of the Spanish Cultural Center where she organized all the teaching areas and managed the Spanish teachers from 1979 to 1993. In 1993, the Instituto Cervantes of Manila was established, replacing the Spanish Cultural Center, and she was appointed academic head of the center. It was the first center of the Instituto Cervantes established in Asia. In 1995, she established the Makabata School Foundation in Pasig to help less fortunate Filipino children to study for free. For her efforts, the Instituto Cervantes gave a tribute to her in honor of her work in promoting the Spanish language in the Philippines and her dedication and commitment to help educate underprivileged children with her foundation.

Pita died at St. Luke's Medical Center in Quezon City, on January 19, 2025, at the age of 94.

Awards and recognition

• The Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award (2011)
• People’s Choice Award (2012)

References

1. "Povedans honor Maruxa Pita, a lady with a big heart". PhilStar.com. April 17, 2013.
2. "Maruxa Pita: Angel Maruxa". The Philippine Star. February 16, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-03-26.
3. ^ "Thank you, Señora Maruxa". Manila Bulletin. October 29, 2012.
4. ^ "Spanish teacher gives hope to less fortunate Filipino children". InterAksyon. September 17, 2012. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013.
5. "Poveda community mourns the passing of Maruxa Pita". GMA Integrated News. January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
6. "Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Awards". JCI Manila. September 6, 2012. Archived from the original on April 15, 2013.

External links

• Makabata School Foundation

• 1930 births
• 2025 deaths
• People from Madrid
• Spanish Roman Catholic missionaries
• Spanish expatriates in the Philippines
• Roman Catholic missionaries in the Philippines
• Missionary educators
• 20th-century Spanish educators
• 21st-century Spanish educators
• 20th-century Spanish women educators
• 21st-century Spanish women educators