The Center of Excellence for Public Elementary Education is offering National Artist Vicente Manansala?s 1978 ?Mother and Child? as its 2009 anniversary plate to mark 10 years of providing quality education to under-resourced children. Centex, an Ayala civic project, has so far supported 1,419 pupils in Centex Tondo and Centex Batangas. It provides uniforms, school materials and meals, believing that a healthy child performs better.

Carol Atacador, Centex director, said the Manansala masterpiece was chosen because ?the mother?s embrace says it all: love and protection for the child, and a dream for her best possible future. Centex puts this message into practice, believing that education empowers and liberates the underprivileged child, and is a proven social equalizer and key to success.?

The original painting was shared with Centex by Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Lopa. A paper print will also be produced. For orders and inquiries, Centex can be contacted at 752-1171 to 73 or sevilla.sb@ayalafoundation.org.