Prior to being appointed ambassador to the Holy See, Tuason attended Saint Scholastica's Catholic college where she obtained a bachelor's degree in nutritional sciences, where she had also received the Pax Award. Mercedes had 7 children with Jose Ramon Del Rosario Tuason, a prominent businessman. Together they had Jose, Ramon, Iñaki, Rossana, Karen, Paolo and Jingy. In 1970, Tuason was widowed when her husband Jose Tuason died in a plane crash.[5] This left her with the responsibility of raising 7 children.
During the Martial Law established by former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Tuason later settled in the United States of America. The death of her husband brought her closer with the Church and various other religious activities. Tuason is known for her religious devotion and piety which she advocates in the restoration of the Holy Rosary in common practice among Filipinos in her country. Tuason also began her own charitable foundation, called Tuason Community Center Foundation which she personally ran from 1992 to 1995. Tuason is among the top 100 list of men and women given prominent status and academic recognition in her alumni college.[6]
Necrological Service of Corazon Aquino
On August 4, 2009, Tuason gave a funeral eulogy to the deceased former Philippine President Corazon Aquino at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Manila, Philippines. In the eulogy, Tuason noted that she and Aquino had opposing political views regarding the martial law and EDSA revolution of 1986. Tuason noted that Aquino's death on a First Saturday of the month, a pious date in reference to the Our Lady of Fatima. In the same eulogy, Tuason also mentioned Aquino's kindness when she once offered Tuason the actual rosary by Sister Lucia Santos, the Marian visionary of Our Lady of Fatima apparitions, to whom Aquino had a particular religious devotion.[7]
Though Tuason was already well-acquainted with religious work since the 1980s, in 2007, Tuason became involved with the Cenacle Group, a prayer group guided by Bishop Federico Escaler. In 2007, Tuason was granted the Pax Award a title given to alumni Scholasticans for her charitable works and involvements.
On October 2, 2009, Tuason presented her diplomatic and academic credentials to Pope Benedict XVI in the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo palace as the new ambassador-extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Holy See.[8] Tuason also holds concurrent jurisdiction over the Sovereign Military Order of Malta as a Dame of Magistral Grace.[1] She met with the pontiff and discussed major issues concerning Catholicism in the Philippines, more specifically the ongoing typhoon storm at the time Ketsana / Ondoy.[9][10]
On May 23, 2012, Tuason was awarded by the Vatican with the Order of Pius IX, Class of Dame. The former Holy See's Chief of Protocol, ArchbishopFortunatus Nwachukwu, assisted by Monsignor Guillermo Javier Karcher, 1st Class Attaché of the Secretariat of State, presented the award to Ambassador Tuason. Nwachukwu noted that Pope Benedict XVI has decided to give the award to Tuason for her "significant contributions in the advancement of bilateral relations between the Holy See and the Philippines". The award is signed by Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
On August 21, 2012, in a recent interview at the Office of the Ambassador of the Philippines to the Vatican, Tuason noted her feelings of happiness and joy with the upcoming canonization of Blessed Pedro Calungsod. In addition, Tuason released an official press statement for a TriduumHoly Mass beginning on October 18–20, 2012 at the Basilica of Saint Augustine, followed by another at the Church of the Gesu, and culminating in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome for various pilgrims that are coming to Rome.[14] Tuason further noted that many Filipinos are expected to join the canonization rites, especially the Filipino bishops of the Catholic Church[15] Tuason also noted that there are three images or statues, all contending to be chosen for the official image of Blessed Pedro Calungsod for public veneration.
On January 7, 2013, Tuason participated in the Vatican Radio show discussing the diplomatic ties of the Holy See with various global countries. In the interview, Tuason lamented the lack of religious education among the youth.[16] In particular, Tuason noted that the world and current forms of addictive media are responsible for the introvert attitudes of Catholic youth with regards to physically engaging with others.[17]
Charitable Positions
Tuason served the following Catholic charities and secular organizations:
Red Cross Charities 1987-1993 - Director
Family Values Foundation of the Philippines - Treasurer
Administrative Council of Tuason Community Center Foundation 1992-1995
Bigay Puso (English: Give Love) Foundation - 1986
Administrative Council of the Center for Peace - 1989
Administrative Council of the Hero Foundation - 1990
Administrative Council of the Evelio Javier - 1991
Foundation of the Mission Angels - 1997
Administrative Council of Our Lady of Mercy Halfway House Inc. - 2000
Council of the Mission Society of the Philippines - 2002
€* Council of the Crusade for the Rosary €of Families - 2007 - Vice President
Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Holy See, 2009–Present
^Ambassadors to the Holy See with distinguished service after 2 years of post are candidates for the reception of this papal order. This is an example.
