Faith in Action, Love in Legacy: Honoring Judy Araneta-Roxas
Judy Araneta-Roxas leaves behind a legacy defined not by headlines, but by hearts changed and communities uplifted. She was a woman whose faith was never passive; it was a faith in action that shaped her every role: alumna, leader, philanthropist, matriarch, and woman of conviction.
A graduate of Assumption Convent’s High School Class of 1951, Tita Judy was not just a proud alumna—she lived her alma mater’s values. As President of the Assumption Alumnae Association (AAA) from 2002 to 2005, she championed a powerful call to her fellow alumnae to “Reconnect with Assumption, physically and spiritually.” During her term, the Velada celebrations of Old Girls Day—fondly regarded as the homecoming of all things Assumption—were elevated into a milestone
celebrated every five years. She and her Board also played a crucial role in rebuilding Mother Rose Hall, all while emphasizing honesty, integrity, and empowering others to “help people help themselves.” Her leadership was not merely administrative; it was transformational.
As we honor her today, we remember that her life was a beautiful lesson: to be rooted in faith, steadfast in service, and bold in integrity. May we all carry forward that same spirit of helping others help themselves, and may we too reconnect—physically and spiritually—with what truly matters.
Voices of Remembrance
Her story is not told by her deeds alone, but by the lives she touched. In the words of those, who worked alongside her and were mentored by her, we glimpse the heart of Judy Araneta-Roxas:
Marie Concepcion Young (HS 1977, College 1981)
Current Member of the AAA Board of Trustees
AAA BOT Member from 2002 to 2005, AAA BOT EXCOM in 2003 & 2004
“Tita Judy Roxas was truly a phenomenal woman — a woman of action who lived her life with purpose and generosity. Whenever she entered a room, she carried a presence that inspired respect; but even more than that, she led by example. St. Marie Eugénie once said, ‘Our life must be a gift we give, a gift we give to God and to others.’ That was Tita Judy. She gave so much of herself — her time, her talents, her wisdom — always for the benefit of others and for the Assumption community she loved. When I first joined the board, fresh from the high of being a silver jubilarian and still adjusting to balancing work, family, and board duties, she encouraged me to join the Excom — perhaps seeing something in me I hadn’t yet seen in myself. She worked hand in hand with Sr. Luz, always at the forefront: leading, moving, doing. She also put systems in place to ensure that the work of the AAA would continue and grow stronger for the boards that followed. I will always remember Tita Judy as a woman of faith in action, whose life was her gift to all of us. Her legacy lies not only in what she accomplished but in the way she gave herself wholeheartedly, always with love and conviction.”
Betchay Santos Monserrat (HS 1975)
AAA BOT EXCOM, 1st Vice President in 2002 & Vice President from 2003 to 2005
“I loved working with Tita Judy! We travelled to Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Roxas City and Davao to organize the Assumption girls everywhere. There was a feast waiting for us everywhere we went. She worked tirelessly to raise the funds needed for the major renovation of the Mother Rose Hall. She didn’t stop until she was sure we had all the needed funding. Tita Judy’s first “to do” in the AAA was putting together a Manual that explained in detail the role of every committee of the association. I remember getting calls from her every morning just to follow up that everything was being put together fast and “as discussed”. Tita Judy always had a smile on her face, was always ready to hug or shake hands with whoever she was introduced to. SHE WAS A LEADER THAT MADE THINGS HAPPEN AND GOT THINGS DONE!”
Ming E. Roxas (HS 1971)
AAA BOT EXCOM, 2nd Vice President from 2002 to 2005
“Tita Judy was a dynamic president, so full of ideas and enthusiasm. She energized us all into action but never hogged the limelight, always sharing it with her team. She loved Assumption deeply and inspired me to love it even more. Tita Judy was always very considerate and appreciative of your work. A few times she would discuss ideas for a speech or message she had to write and always listened to what I had to say. She was a dynamic President, so full of ideas and enthusiasm. She energized us all into action. She never hogged the limelight but always shared it with her team. She loved Assumption and inspired me to love Assumption more.”
Milette Tañada Ocampo (HS 1956)
Former AAA President
“She was a true Assumption girl with the right spirit — humble and simple, embodying Assumption values despite her position in society, and a fine example of service as AAA president.”
Ana Javelosa Gloria (HS 1990)
Former AAA Legal Counsel
“Tita Judy had the gift of making everyone she spoke to feel seen and heard. Even as a young board member (I was only 29 or 30 years old), I felt her warmth and genuine regard. She was deeply respected and much loved.”
Inez Alvarez Polotan (HS 1973)
AAA BOT Member in 2005
“Tita Judy was very generous. During the canonization of St. Marie Eugénie, when we were selling souvenirs, she cared for us like a mother — making sure we had food and insisting we take breaks. She also challenged me to qualify AAA for PCNC accreditation so we could enjoy donors’ tax exemption benefits. It was during my term as treasurer that AAA finally received the BIR exemption, and she was overjoyed. She celebrated our milestones as if they were her own.”
Ana De Villa Singson (HS 1973)
Former AAA BOT Member in 2020-2024
“Tita Judy was the AAA President during my first term as an AAA board member decades ago. I remember our first meeting. She was gracious, measured and completely in control. She was REGAL. I never heard her raise her voice; she was never off cadence with her unruffled, calm speech, was seemingly never surprised. I thought then and still do that she was of a bygone era of grace and beautiful manners, of serenity, consistency and dependability. She was generous too, inviting the entire board to events in the Araneta Cubao enclave and even to personal family events. In 2010, I experienced her personal brand of generosity through PPCRV, an election advocacy that I am a part of. The country was transitioning to the automated election system for the first time and voters were mystified on how to cast their vote through the PCOS machine. Harkening to my marketing background, I thought of putting up PCOS machine hubs in malls and supermarkets where voters could cast sample ballots and learn how to vote. I wrote several malls requesting for space to put up PPCRV voters education booths. Tita Judy was one of our first responders (Shangrila Mall, SM, Fisher Mall and others followed suit). And her team went over and beyond. They provided us with dividers, tables, chairs, even borrowing big TV screens from one of their tenants so that we could show voters education videos. She made it so easy. I emailed her and her team followed through. It was that simple. I was a recipient of her graciousness too. As a new board member, I was assigned to a Committee on Faith Development (or something like that). I was made to present my plan for faith development and intrepidly did so, taking up much time…realizing only much later that my plan was completely skewed and a tad unrealistic. But Tita Judy listened intently; never interrupting, thanking me kindly and giving some “soft suggestions”. I felt very good after and it was only when I pursued some of the “soft suggestions” that I realized… Oh my goodness, I was way off strat! It is an art worth emulating; on how to be kind and understanding while guiding gently yet firmly, without rebuke. Hers was a leadership style that was gracious, quietly confident, tolerant yet uncompromising in determination, ambition, achievement. Being in her AAA board was being in a master class in gentility and grace. She was one of a kind. Vaya con Dios, Tita Judy. May God cradle you in the palms of His hands”.
Marlu Villanueva Balmaceda (HS 1978)
Former AAA President
“Tita Judy had a larger-than-life reputation among Old Girls. As a long-term President of the AAA, she was the epitome of generosity, fidelity to duty and loyalty to the Assumption. She helped revitalize the vision and mission of the AAA which we all try to uphold to this day – and that, I believe, will be her enduring legacy.”
Sister Gertrude Borres, r.a.
Former President of the Assumption College, San Lorenzo
“I am grateful to have had the opportunity and the long years to know and share with Judy in so many areas of Involvement and Service – for Assumption, for the country, and for her family. It has always been with passion and love, joy and hope, which Judy would commit to respond to ‘What needs to be done – for others’. She has the Assumption spirit imprinted in her DNA — ‘ Noblesse oblige!’ Judy lived this — so graciously and lovingly. I had hoped to visit her in person. But she assures me in heaven – ‘No Need, Sr G., I am still around to help.’ For now, with St. Marie Eugenie and the Assumption in heaven, we continue to live. ‘Love never says, I have done enough’. Salamat and Palangga gid, Judy!
A Collective Tribute
In every story shared, a portrait of Judy Araneta-Roxas emerges — not only as a president who accomplished much, but as a woman who inspired others to believe in themselves, to serve generously, and to love Assumption more deeply.
Her leadership was marked not by titles, but by presence; not by authority, but by encouragement. Her legacy lives on in the alumnae she mentored, in the friendships she nurtured, and in the countless lives she touched with her faith in action. Truly, she remains in the heart of every Assumption girl blessed to have known her.
My first (and only) in-person encounter with her was in 2004, while I was in Manila for our silver velada.
Somehow, I was invited to sit in at a meeting, coz I was dining for lunch with Baby GH. At lunch somewhere nearby at Pasay Road, she joined us too, and because Baby had praises for me, Tita Judy said I was an asset. Not only did I take that as a compliment, but as a PUSH to commit!
I did always think she was a role model, and everyone confirms.
May she happily rejoice in the company of angels and all other old girls, the eldest of who is SMEJ!
Thank you very much, Tita Judy.