The Llantada family headed by its matriarch, Angeles Tort Llantada, widow of Juan Antonio “Nene” Menchaca Llantada led a gift giving activity for the students of Menchaca Elementary School at Hacienda Refugio, Calatrava, Negros Occidental, recently.
The activity was held in memory of Nene Llantada by Carla Llantada Escober, Butch Escober, Lorenzo Llantada Escober, Enrique Llantada Escober and Andoni Llantada Valencia.
Carla Llantada Escober delivered a short message on the history of the school and the importance of education. She said the school was founded by Antonio M. Menchaca and further developed and expanded by Roberto T. Llantada, who was a firm believer of education.
They emphasized that children of workers of Hacienda Refugio and Hacienda Cubay should have access to quality education that is why in the 1960’s, Menchaca Hermanos through Roberto Llantada donated the 1 hectare property where the school now sits, she said.
Menchaca Hermanos, predecessor-in-interest of Menchaca Integrated Agricultural Corporation (MINA), offered free housing, 10kwh of electricity and a school site for their sugar workers and their children, Andoni Llantada Valencia said.
This is an embodiment of the vision of Antonio Madariaga Menchaca, original owner of the Menchaca Hermanos landholdings now MINA, and the first mayor elected in Calatrava, he added.
The beneficiaries of the activity were 100 students, Valencia said.*