What is a biography of Ligaya D Perez?

Ligaya D. Perez (born March 13, 1928) is a Filipina diplomat, politician, educator, civic worker and author. She served as the first Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Philippines from 1986 to 1987. She was the first Assistant Secretary for Social Welfare and Community Development from 1972 to 1978, and the first Dean of the U.P. College of Social Work and Community Development from 1978 to 1986. She was also the first female President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines.

Perez was born in Manila, the daughter of Vicente D. Perez and Francisca Vda. de Perez. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from the University of the Philippines Diliman, a Master of Arts degree in Social Welfare from the Philippine Women's University, and a Doctor of Social Welfare degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Perez has held various positions in the Philippine government and civil society, including as a member of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights from 1987 to 1991 and as a member of the Philippine Senate from 1992 to 1998. She was also a delegate to the 1971 and 1986 Constitutional Conventions.

Perez has written several books on social work and community development, including "The Filipino Family: A Text in Casework" (1968), "Social Welfare and Community Development in the Philippines" (1973), and "Social Work and Community Development in Asia" (1980).

In recognition of her contributions to social work and community development, Perez has received numerous awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service in 1984, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Award for Distinguished Service in Social Development in 1986, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Award for Culture and the Arts in 1998.