Luwalhati Antonino

In this Philippine name for married women, the birth middle name or maternal family name is Lopez, the birth surname or paternal family name is Ricasa, and the marital name is Antonino.

Luwalhati R. Antonino
Antonino, circa 2020
Chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority
In office September 12, 2010 – September 9, 2016
President	Benigno Aquino III Rodrigo Duterte
Preceded by	Jesus Dureza
Succeeded by	Datu Abul Khayr Alonto
Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from South Cotabato's 1st district
In office June 30, 1992 – June 30, 2001
Preceded by	Adelbert Antonino
Succeeded by	Darlene Antonino Custodio
Personal details
Born	Luwalhati Lopez Ricasa[1] (1943-10-22)22 October 1943 Upi, Cotabato, Philippines (under Japanese occupation)
Died	30 October 2023(2023-10-30) (aged 80)
Political party	Independent (2001–2023)
Other political affiliations	LAMMP (1998–2001) Lakas-NUCD (1992–1998)
Spouse	Adelbert W. Antonino
Relations	Magnolia Antonino (mother-in-law)
Children	Darlene Antonino Custodio Eliza Bettina R. Antonino
Alma mater	University of Santo Tomas New York University

Luwalhati Lopez Ricasa-Antonino (October 22, 1943 – October 30, 2023) was a Filipina politician who served as chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) from 2010 to 2016 in President Benigno Aquino III's administration. She previously served as a member of the House of Representatives for South Cotabato's 1st district from 1992 to 2001. In the latter office, she was preceded by her husband Adelbert Antonino, and succeeded by her daughter Darlene Antonino Custodio. Her husband and daughter have each also served as mayors of General Santos.

Political career

Antonino served as the representative of the 1st district of South Cotabato for three consecutive terms (9th to 11th Congress) from 1992 to 2001. Within these years, she also served as the president of the Mindanao Lawmakers Association (MLA), a 50-member bloc of representatives from Mindanao.

While in Congress, Antonino held the chairmanship for the Foreign Affairs Committee, and the vice-chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee.

In September 2010, Antonino was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III as chairperson of the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), making her the first woman to hold that post.[2]

Personal life

Antonino was born in Upi (now in Maguindanao del Norte) and raised in Kiamba (now in Sarangani)—back then, both towns were in the undivided Cotabato province. Antonino was married to former representative and former mayor of General Santos Adelbert Antonino.[3] Her daughters are former representative and former mayor of General Santos Darlene Antonino Custodio and restaurateur Eliza Bettina R. Antonino.

Antonino earned her bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering at the University of Santo Tomas and her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) in Economics at New York University. After obtaining her master's, she was hired as an economic and statistical analyst at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in New York City.[4]

Antonino died on 30 October 2023, at the age of 80.[5]

References

1. "Luwalhati Lopez Ricasa Antonino (Ricasa) (1943 - 2023) - Genealogy". geni.com. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
2. Arguillas, Carolyn (3 September 2010). "Dureza out, Luwalhati Antonino in as new MinDA chair". MindaNews. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
3. Ben, Sumug-oy (26 October 2010). "Meet Lu Antonino, new MinDa Chairperson". GenSan News Online. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
4. "MinDA Chairperson". Mindanao Development Authority. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
5. "Luwalhati "Lu" Antonino: GenSan political matriarch, former MinDA chair passes away". www.mindanews.com. 2023-10-30. Retrieved 2023-10-30.