Sixty-five years ago, in 1957, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund Trustees, with the concurrence of the Philippine government, established the Ramon Magsaysay Award to honor the memory and example of integrity in public service of President Ramon Magsaysay. Often called the “Nobel Prize of Asia,” it is considered Asia’s most prestigious prize to recognize individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions. At the “Greatness of the Spirit” event on July 2, held at the Ramon Magsaysay Center, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) President Susan Afan, “reintroduced” the Ramon Magsaysay Award with recent anecdotes to demonstrate what the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation is all about — to spark fires and start new movements. She recounted that:
In February 2024, three Ramon Magsaysay awardees (Japan’s Dr. Tadashi Hattori, Taiwan’s Master Cheng Yens of Tzu Chi Foundation, and Philippines’ Dr. Eva Maamod collaborated to bring the gift of sight to underprivileged Filipinos. Their initial mission restored the vision of hundreds of Filipinos. She gave an update that Dr. Hattori returned for the 2nd mission and that the collaboration is ongoing “with no end in sight.”
In April 2024, awardee Tony TAY, founder of Singapore’s Willing Heart together with 20 other Singaporeans fed thousands of people daily at the Center, which he had done for the past 20 years. This initiative inspired two other kitchens, that of Fr. Arnold Abelardo in Nueva Ecija and Ambassador Joseph Yap’s “Fishes and Loaves” in Alabang.
Last week, the Foundation was invited by Yunus Center, founded by Muhammad Yunus of Bangladesh, an RM awardee 40 years ago and a Nobel prize winner 20 years later. Mr. Yunus is known as the Father of Microfinance, collectively affecting many lives. His work inspired other micro finance organizations including the Philippines CARD-MRI headed by Aris Alif. A partner at the Yunus event was a Visayan based micro lending institution to 500,000 people: Negros Women for Tomorrow whose Executive Director is Suzzette Gaston, daughter of 1973 RM awardee Benjamin Gaston. Susan commented that “Magsaysay awardee genes are strong and run in the families”.
Susan recently attended the sacerdotal 76th anniversary of Father Aloysius, awardee for his work with Korean widows, orphans and beggars, a result of the Korean War. He founded the Sisters of Mary’s Girls town and Brothers of Christ’s Boys Town in Silang Cavite, changing the lives for the better of more than 80,000 children from the poorest of the poor.
The keynote speaker at the event was Ambassador Delia Albert, an RM trustee, and a remarkable diplomat. She discussed the 348 awardees conferred to individuals and associations from 22 countries. Some countries are: Bangladesh 13, India 59, Indonesia 29, Japan 12, China 18, South Korea 22, Thailand 24, Vietnam 5, Singapore 3, Cambodia 3, Philippines 65. The Philippine list of exemplary leaders and transformative lives included Washington Sycip, Fr. James Bertram Reuter, Jovito Salonga, Red Cross icon Rosa Rosal, Cory Aquino, PEZA’s Lilia de Lima, Ombudswoman Conchita Carpio Morales, Gil Lopez Kabayao, Tony Oposa, etc. and associations like CARD, Gawad Kalinga, Operation Brotherhood, UP Los Banos, IRRI, Bayanihan among others.
In 2024, the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation has an all-woman lineup of officers: Multi -awarded broadcast journalist Cheche Lazaro is Chairwoman, Vice Chair Suzanne Siskel, President Susan, Gizela Montinola, Treasurer and Carmencita Toledo, Board Secretary. The Board includes: Ambassador Delia, Emily Abrera, Ernesto Garilao, Cielito Habito, James Kondo, Josephine Lok, Guillermo Luz, Ramon del Rosario, and Kotchakorn Voraakhom.
Incidentally, at our table, former RMAF Chairman Aurelio “Gigi” Montinola spoke highly of President Susan, her new ideas, and innovations in running the foundation. With RMAF President Susan and Ambassador Delia, prominent members of the Filipina CEO Circle (FCC), the FCC ladies came in full force: FCC president Karen Roa, FCC Founder Marife Zamora, KPMG‘s Sharan Dayoan, Maan Hontiveros, Karen de Venecia, Atty. Dick Du Baladad, PLDT Foundation’s Ester Santos, Zondy Garcia, Accenture’s Ambe Tierro, Noya Terrado, Marivic Anonuevo, Sunlife’s Riena Pama, Asticom‘s Mharicar Castillo-Reyes etc.
To motivate future generations, a seven-volume book series, the “Greatness of Spirit: stories of Love, Courage and Service”- about the Ramon Magsaysay awardees and their transformative work was launched at the event. The book aims to inspire by presenting the awardees passions, basic and creative solutions to Asia’s challenges, making the world a better place to live in. Congratulations to the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation and its leadership!
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Ms. Tarriela was former PNB Chairman and now serves as Board Advisor. A former Undersecretary of Finance, she is lead independent director of Nickel Asia Corp., director of LTG Inc. and FINEX. A gardener and an environmentalist, she founded Flor’s Garden in Antipolo, now an events destination. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FINEX).