The Board of Trustees of Xavier University conferred on Prof. Steven Patrick C. Fernandez, DFA, the Francisco Demetrio Award.

In his letter informing Fernandez of the award, Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ, XU President, wrote that the award is given those who have made "significant strides in enriching Philippine culture and the arts, especially in Mindanao."

The award is named after the venerable Dr. Francisco Demetrio, SJ, a pillar of scholarship in Philippine Studies, who authored tomes of works on folklore, Anthropology, and culture, in general.

As awardee, Fernandez addressed the graduates of Xavier U during pre-Commencement rites last March 25 with his speech "Art, Culture, and Corruption."