Spirit of excellence

CEBU, Philippines - For empowering Filipino farmers, Cebuano agricultural  scientist Romulo Davide joined the rarefied circle of Ramon Magsaysay Award laureates.

The impressive presentation ceremony of what is considered as the Nobel Prize of Asia was recently held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila.

Davide is now one of the 296 Magsaysay awardees, all pioneers from the fields of community and public service, journalism, literature, and creative communication arts, peace and international understanding, and emergent leadership. Since 1957, the award-giving body has been recognizing extraordinary leaders who exemplify the "greatness of spirit in the service of the peoples of Asia."

The 78-year-old Davide grew up in the barrio of Colawin in Argao. Drawing from his experience in the small farming community, he developed breakthrough research on how to control nematode pests, roundworms that spread plant viruses in crops, devastating local food production in the process.

Considered as the Father of Plant Nematology, he discovered a nematode-trapping fungus, which "led to the development of BIOCON, the first Philippine biological control product that can be used against nematode pests."

Davide also launched, in his hometown, the corn-based Farmer-Scientists Training Program (FSTP), an initiative that teaches local farmers how to multiply yields through the power of scientific experimentation.

Later, the program, which increased crops 12-fold, was expanded to 35 towns in the island of Cebu and six other provinces. In 2008, FSTP was adopted by the national government, with Davide as its program leader, and implemented in 20 provinces across the country.

Also recognized this year were Taiwanese Chen Shu-Jiu for her compassionate altruism, Indian Kulandei Francis for his holistic community programs for women, Bangladeshi Syeda Rizwana Hasan for her campaign for good environment, Cambodian Yang Saing Komka for his scientific contributions in farming, and Indonesian Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto for his advocacy for community-based natural resource management.

President NoyNoy Aquino was on hand to present the honorees with their medals and certificates and give the ceremony's congratulatory remarks.

This was followed by a tribute to the late and much beloved Jesse Robredo, also a past Ramon Magsaysay awardee.

The awards were established after the death of Ramon Magsaysay, the third President of the Republic of the Philippines, who is considered as "one of the greatest leaders of his time.

" In 1957, he perished in an air crash in Mt. Manunggal in Cebu. The citation hopes to continue his spirit of selfless devotion by highlighting outstanding leadership today. (FREEMAN)