The 65th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies: A Night of Excellence and Inspiration

The Metropolitan Theater in Manila, Philippines, was illuminated with brilliance and adorned with the spirit of achievement on November 11, 2023, as the 65th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies unfolded in grandeur. The four recipients of Asia’s premier prize and highest honor, namely Korvi Rakshand from Bangladesh, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer from the Philippines, Eugenio Lemos from Timor-Leste and Ravi Kannan R. from India, formally received their Award in-person.

The formal Presentation Ceremonies, graced by the presence of over 30 past Ramon Magsaysay Awardees from all across Asia, marked a historic milestone. Transformative leaders from across the region gathered to celebrate and honor the exceptional contributions of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Chairperson Aurelio R. Montinola III lauded all the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees including the four recipients of the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awards.“I imagine that our planet, usually a pale blue dot against the immensity of the universe, is radiating a different sort of light tonight…because it’s not as discernible to the eye as much as it is by the heart. It is the light generated by human kindness, by love for others, by the desire to give and serve. By sheer greatness of spirit. The more it is shared, the brighter it glows. Today, we live in a stressful and troubled geopolitical world. May the pale blue dot of our 348 Magsaysay Laureates shine through Asia and illuminate the world with Greatness of Spirit role modeling on our 65th Anniversary.”

The four 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, representing diverse fields and causes, received their well-deserved accolades in the form of the iconic Ramon Magsaysay medallion and certificate. Each Awardee's journey and achievements were recounted with admiration, emphasizing the impact they have made in their respective domains. In their respective responses, the 2023 Ramon Magsaysay Awards reflected on their extraordinary journeys and the principles that guide their actions.

Thirty-eight-year-old Korvi Rakshand from Bangladesh, who received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, reminded everyone that, “Children are the future of a nation and youth is the power. Through Volunteer for Bangladesh, we were able to bring 50,000 like-minded youth to come together and volunteer for the causes they believe in. Now imagine the same in every country in Asia.”

In her response, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, a Filipino peace negotiator who championed inclusivity and women's participation in peace-building, said, “The Ramon Magsaysay Award and its Transformative Leadership program, with its motto on the greatness of spirit, however, is not a platform of gloom.  On the contrary, it is a platform to spread the message of hope…. Hope. A beautiful four-letter word pregnant with life’s meaning. Hope that we find in the stories of efforts that have paved ways out of large-scale, longstanding political violence.”

Timor-Leste’s Eugenio Lemos rallied everyone to support sustainable agriculture through food sovereignty. “The impact we can create together will not only restore local environments and offer sustainable local livelihoods but will multiply and spread far and wide – increasing the wellbeing of our communities, entire countries, and our planet, now and into the future.”

Indian surgical oncologist Ravi Kannan R. emphasized that, “The road to human happiness and fulfillment truly lies in holding every life on this planet sacred and worthy of our love in an all-inclusive spirit. Together, all of us can change the way we take care of sickness and suffering, promote universal health, and control of cancer and other diseases.”

The evening was graced by 2002 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee the Venerable Pomnyun Sunim of Korea who served as the keynote speaker. Ven. Pomnyun Sunim shared, “We are facing an ever-increasing and chilling wind of war today. Violence and intimidation based on ‘might is right’ is everywhere. Conflicts based on race, ethnicity, territory, and religion are laying waste to the homes and communities of peoples around the world.”

“Peace will come if we act. We have to be the prime mover for peace. Former President Ramon Magsaysay once said, ‘Guns alone are not the answer. We must provide hope for young people for better housing, clothing, and food; and if we do, the radicals will wither away.’ The four recipients are the true heroes of today who have provided the hope for better food, health, education, and peace to the young people that the former President mentioned,” he added.

The ceremony was a testament to the enduring legacy of President Ramon Magsaysay, whose vision of service, integrity, and leadership continues to inspire generations. As the curtains closed on the 65th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies, the air was filled with a sense of pride, inspiration, and renewed commitment to the pursuit of excellence for the betterment of society. The legacy of the Awardees will undoubtedly serve as a guiding light for future generations, inspiring them to interconnect and take action for a better, more brighter future.

Watch the 65th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies here: https://www.youtube.com/live/K2irXsljKsE?si=LcB9NRdngzEs010t.- Katrina Mari Dianela