Lourdes " Lulu " Reyes Besa was a philanthropist and social advocate born in Jaro , Iloilo . She was raised in Manila , Philippines by her parents Judge Ponciano Reyes and Luz Jugo Reyes . As president of the Chaplains ’ Aid Association ( 1942-45 ) , Lulu headed the Crusades for Charity and brought medicines to American and Filipino POWs in Japanese-run internment camps in the Philippines . For her service , she was awarded the Medal of Freedom twice — on August 11 , 1947 and September 24 , 1947 . Major General George F. Moore , commander of the Harbor Defenses of Manila and Subic Bays during the Japanese invasion in 1941 , praised her as “ one of the outstanding heroines of World War II . " In 1946 , Lourdes co-founded the YLAC ( Young Ladies ’ Association of Charity ) with Aurora Quezon . She later became president of the organization , which built faith-based elementary schools that provided education throughout the Philippines . In 1953 , Lulu Reyes Besa received the Ateneo University ’s Ozanam Award for her social action achievements . That same year , Lulu raised money for the construction of the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help , in Baclaran , Pasay City
Medal of Freedom
Medal of Freedom (1945)
Lourdes Reyes Besa