Mindanao’s Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, OMI, was conferred the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, by San Beda University in Manila during the graduation rites on Thursday, 30 July 2026, where he also served as the commencement speaker. This honor followed his recognition with the Harmony in Diversity Award in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 15, where he was chosen from over 70 nominations across Southeast Asia for his lifelong dedication to peacebuilding, interfaith understanding, and reconciliation, particularly in Mindanao. San Beda University honored Quevedo for his exemplary service as bishop-prelate from 1980 to 1982, first bishop of Kidapawan from 1982 to 1986, Metropolitan Archbishop of Nueva Segovia from 1986 to 1998, and as the first Filipino Metropolitan Archbishop of Cotabato from 1998 to 2018, guiding a region plagued by armed conflict, poverty, and cultural tensions with simplicity and approachability. The university also acknowledged his contributions to Catholic education and formation, including his role as the first Filipino president of Notre Dame University in Cotabato City, which earned him recognition as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in 1973. Quevedo’s leadership as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, Secretary-General of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences, and co-founder of the Bishops-Ulama Conference was also highlighted. Widely revered as “Mindanao’s Man of Peace,” he has championed interreligious dialogue and continues to serve on the Council of Leaders of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. San Beda praised Quevedo as the first Cardinal from Mindanao, embracing his role as a responsibility to serve the poor and marginalized, and for embodying Benedictine ideals and Bedan values of Faith, Knowledge, and Virtue. (MindaNews)
