<div class="image-550">
<a href="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/carmen-planas.webp" rel="lightbox">
<img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.kahimyang.com/resources/carmen-planas-t.webp"  alt="Carmen Planas" />
</a>
<div>
(Carmen Planas, a painting by Fernando Amorsolo (1956))
</div>
</div>

<p>
Planas had her elementary education at the Colegio de Sta. Rosa, finished the primary 
course in three years, and graduating later as valedictorian of its intermediate department. For 
her secondary education, she enrolled at the Holy Ghost College (present day College of the Holy 
Spirit), where she graduated with honors in 1933. That same year, she entered the University of 
the Philippines to pursue her bachelor of laws degree, which she obtained in 1940.
</p>

<p>
At UP, where she was a scholar, she distinguished herself as well as a declaimer, debater 
and orator. In one oratorical contest, she won the gold medal, awarded by the floor leader and 
speaker of the National Assembly. In a similar contest, she was cited as honorable mention. 
</p>
<p>
She was still a junior law student when, in 1937, at the age of 23, she was fielded as the 
official candidate of Young Philippines, a minority party, in the election for members, of the 
Manila municipal board. She topped the elections, winning over seasoned politicians. She 
duplicated the feat when she was re-elected in 1940. 
</p>
<p> 
During her terms as councilor of Manila, Planas chaired the committees on law, health 
and social welfare, and education. She worked hard to help uplift the living conditions of the 
residents of the city, particularly the poor. Through her efforts, the city government established 
day nurseries as well as puericulture and health centers, along with parks and playgrounds, for 
the benefit of the under privileged children. Tenement houses were built for low-income 
families, who were also provided free dental and medical assistance periodically. Among the 
other measures she sponsored were those calling for the standardization of salary increases for 
teachers and policemen, the clearing of slum areas, the installation of public incinerators, and 
the designation of pedestrian lanes. 
 </p>
<p>
Being a lawyer, Planas represented the country at the International Bar Conference in 
Monte Carlo in 1954 and in Cologne in 1958; International Conference of Lawyers in Salzburg in 
1960, and at the International Conference of Women Lawyers in Helsinki, Finland. 
 </p>
<p>
She also represented the country at the Philippine National Exposition in Brussels, 
Belgium and was the first Filipino lady Red Cross governor to be chosen as delegate to the Red 
Cross International Convention of Governors. 
 </p>
<p>
During World War II, Planas provided assistance to the Vinzon guerrillas. For this she 
was investigated and taken to Fort Santiago four times by the Japanese. She also assisted 
British and American internees at the Assumption Convent and their children at the Holy Ghost 
College, as well as the Filipino and American ex-servicemen confined in various hospitals and 
convalescent homes. Planas held the rank of captain in the Anderson’s ROTC Hunters women 
auxiliary service.  
</p>
<p>
She died at the Grant Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, on August 25, 1964 at the age of 50.
</p>

<p>
A street in Tondo, Manila was named after her honor.
</p>

<h4>
Source:
</h4>
<ol class="article-sources">
<li>
Women of Distinction, Jovita de Guzman Varias, Bukang Liwayway, 1967  via National Historical Commission of the Philippines
</li>
</ol>



March 23, 1914: Carmen Planas was born in Tondo, Manila