Central Philippine  University  gave a Special Recognition Award to Atty. Modesto Rico on December 4, 1998, 5:00 PM at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park. 

Atty. Rico had spent 26 of the best years of his life at CPU. He was a teacher of Physics in high school  until Dr. Howard appointed him Dean of Men and secretary of the Faculty Council. These positions brought him into the heart of the operations and the problems of the university. His graduate studies in educational administration and his  qualifications as a practicing attorney made him an exceedingly valuable member of the administrative staff. 

 
The honoree with his wife receives the plaque of appreciation from Dr. Acanto (L) and Engr. Dionio (R). 

When the first Filipino president of CPU (Dr. Rex Drilon)  looked around for men to help him in the management of the university, his natural choices were Eleuterio Plagata for the wisdom and experience of the old and Atty. Rico for the energy and enthusiasm of the young. As a key man in Pres. Drilon’s administration, Rico represented Drilon in many on-campus and off-campus meetings, especially after Mr. Plagata had retired in 1967. The late president referred to him as my “alter ego” when introducing him to friends and visitors. 
Atty. Rico proved to be an intelligent and efficient schedule coordinator, dean of men, and special technical adviser to the president under Drilon’s administration. 

In 1971, Rico served as vice president for Academic Affairs under Dr. Pulido’s administration. Later, he became the General Secretary of the Association of Christian Schools and Colleges. In 1974 to 1978, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees. 
Among the significant contributions of Atty. Rico in CPU’s history were: facilitating 
 
 

the implementation of the Retirement Plan for the Faculty and Staff in 1967; assisting the university during the period of adjustment after the great loss of Pres. Drilon as member of the Executive Board of an interim administration while the search for a new president was conducted. 

Atty. Rico also played significant role during the critical period of the College of Law in the middle of the 60s when a decision had to be made whether to close the college or not due to decreasing enrolment. He was one of those appointed to study the situation. With the committee's recommendation, appropriate action was made by appointing Atty. Enojas as interim dean. The enrolment increased later by almost 35%. 

His contribution to the student life of the university is also worth mentioning. He was referred to as “Mr. Work Student” because, as a former work student himself, Atty. Rico became coordinator of the Work Study Program. He worked out a test for screening applicants and developed the Work Students’ Organization which nurtured a high spirit of group morale and a special kind of personal pride characterized by these work students. 

Being a former CPU Republic president, he was one of those responsible for the conceptualization of a student government that allows great care in planning the organizational structure and is a stimulating venue for learning the ways of a government in democracy through popular elections. 

 
"Mr. work student" and wife flanked by CPU Work Students and Work Student-Alumni.