Social Scientists in The Philippines

The Order of National Social Scientists is the highest national recognition that a

Filipino can get for their lifetime that is given by the Republic of the Philippines to people
with an achievement in the Social Sciences. There are eight people who had been awarded
with such honor recently, two of which are given in the year 2000.

The first person that we will focus is Raul V. Fabella who is an economist who hails
from UP Diliman. He is known for his outstanding accomplishments and remarkable
contributions as a scientist, researcher, mentor, leader, collaborator, and administrator in the
field of economics at the University of the Philippines Diliman and throughout the country.
He has put his talents to work for the achievement of development and good governance in
the Philippines. In May 2011, the NAST general assembly of Academicians and National
Scientists endorsed Dr. Fabella to the President for the bestowal of the award. And on the
27th of July 2011, Benigno S. Aquino, III conferred on him the title of National Scientist.

And the second, Mercedes B. Concepcion is a Filipino social scientist who studies
demography and also hails from the University of the Philippines. She is dubbed as "the
Mother of Asian Demography" because of her contributions to population studies. In 1986,
Concepcion chaired the Committee to Review the Philippine Statistical System.
Approximately twenty years later, she was again appointed to the Committee to Review the
Philippine Statistical System which recommended legislation for setting up the Philippine
Statistics Authority which passed into law on the 31st of October 2013. Concepcion was
involved with different social science organizations. She was one of the founding members
of the Philippine Social Science Council. She is also an active member of the Philippine
Sociological Society, Philippine Statistical Association, and Philippine Population
Association. And in 2010, was bestowed the honor of "National Scientist of the Philippines”
in Proclamation No.1980 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

These two have made quite a significant impact on the Social Background of the
Philippines. And the Philippines will be in good hands as long as people strive to be the likes
of Sir Fabella and Madam Concepcion, who aims to improve our great nation. And we look
forward for the future where brilliant people will come up in our generation.