Four awardees of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award from Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines for 2022 were revealed Wednesday, Aug. 31.
The Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) named as laureates Sotheara Chhim of Cambodia, a mental health advocate; Tadashi Hattori of Japan, a sight-saving humanitarian; Bernadette Madrid of the Philippines, a children's rights crusader; and Gary Bencheghib of Indonesia, an anti-plastic pollution warrior.
“We are elated to share that our proud Asian tradition of celebrating Greatness of Spirit through the Ramon Magsaysay Award continues. This year’s roster of Magsaysay Awardees have all challenged the invisible societal lines that cause separation and have drawn innovative and inspiring ones that build connections,” said Aurelio Montinola III, chairperson of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.
Montinola spoke briefly on what made the four new laureates special and deserving of the honor.
“Sotheara Chhim of Cambodia reverses the compounding effect of generational trauma through his perseverance and empathy; Japan’s Tadashi Hattori demonstrates that dedication and kindness can elevate the definition of individual social responsibility; Filipino pediatrician Bernadette J. Madrid, despite the many obstacles on her horizon, joyfully creates safe spaces for children; and Gary Bencheghib from Indonesia inspires us all to reimagine the environmental impact we can make when we combine passion and a sense of adventurem" he said.
Meanwhile, Susan Afan, RMAF president, said: “The extraordinary work of the 2022 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees is testament to the borderless and limitless possibilities of Greatness of Spirit. This year’s Magsaysay Laureates allow us Asians to be prouder of our identity and heritage."
This year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees will each receive a certificate and a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award will be formally bestowed upon this year’s Magsaysay Awardees during formal presentation ceremonies to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2022, at the Ramon Magsaysay Center in Manila, Philippines.
Established in 1958, the Ramon Magsaysay Award is Asia’s premier prize and highest honor.
It celebrates the memory and leadership example of the seventh Philippine president after whom the award is named, and is given every year to individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service and transformative influence that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino president.