A Muslim as Fulbright scholar

According to my friend Aaron Sinsuat, his brother Reza (lawyer Datu Reza Cang Sinsuat) is one of the principal grantees in this year’s Fulbright Classic scholarship. Datu, Aaron says, is one of the youngest, if not the youngest scholar for the Executive Masters in Public Administration in Maxwell School of Citizenry and Public Affairs of the Syracuse University in New York. Reza is the only Muslim recipient for this year’s Fulbright Scholarship in the Philippines. Aside from Reza, the other principal grantees from the Philippines are Aris Cajigal, Kendra Castillo, Leny Galvez, Rebecca Khan, Renato Pacaldo, Cori Perez, Ramon del Prado and Kathryn Roa.

Maxwell is the only major school of public and international affairs in the US that places professional training in the context of all the social sciences. Maxwell’s Masters in Public Administration Program, the oldest continuously operating University-based program in the US, is consistently ranked first by several national surveys including U.S. News and World Report. Maxwell M.P.A alumni are in demand at all levels of government as well as by public interest, non-profit and international organizations in the US and around the world.

The Fulbright Program is the US government’s flagship program in international educational exchange. It was created through the efforts of Arkansas Sen. J. William Fulbright who promulgated its passage in the US Senate in 1946. After World War II, Sen. Fulbright viewed the program as a much needed vehicle for promoting mutual understanding between the people of the US and the people of other countries around the world.

Fulbright is considered as one of the most prestigious award programs. It operates in 144 countries. More Fulbright alumni have won the prestigious Nobel Prize than those of any other academic program.

Aside from the scholarship grants, a Fulbright Prize for International Understanding is awarded to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions toward bringing peoples, cultures, or nations to greater understanding of others. The Prize carries a $50,000 award provided by The Coca-Cola Foundation. Among those who have been given the prize were: 2005 William Jefferson Clinton; 2004 Colin Powell; 2003 Fernando Henrique Cardoso; 2002 Sadako Ogata; 2001 Kofi Annan; 2000 Martti Ahtisaari; 1999 Mary Robinson; 1998 Patricio Aylwin Azócar; 1997 Václav Havel; 1996 Corazon Aquino; 1995 Franz Vranitzky; 1994 Jimmy Carter; 1993 Nelson Mandela. Mrs. Aquino is the first woman to be handed the Pulitzer Prize for International Understanding.

Monster Radio anniversary

As it celebrates its anniversary this month, Monster Radio RX 93.1 continues to demonstrate the qualities that have won it fame and acclaim: Intelligent, responsible, and audience-responsive programming, a spirit of creativity, and a commitment to excellence.

Monster Radio RX 93.1, five-time Golden Dove award winner for Best FM Radio Station, has prepared an exciting schedule of anniversary events this month. These are: The RX Concert Series — the most imitated, still unmatched live musical program on radio — will hold Face The Music concerts, allowing 30  guests in the studio to watch two monster artists perform back-to-back. Aired live on Mondays at 6 p.m., The RX Concert Series features Nina and Parokya Ni Edgar today, Aug. 6; Sandwich and Bamboo on  Aug. 13; Kyla and Hale, Aug. 20; and Barbie Almalbis and Rivermaya, Aug. 27.

Anniversary Monster Movie Premieres will bring the event movies: Surf’s Up! at Robinsons Galleria Cinema 2 on Aug. 11; Evan Almighty, Robinsons Galleria Cinema 5, Aug. 16; and The Invasion, Glorietta 4 Cinema 6, Aug. 28.

The traditional anniversary RX Stick-On will be held on Aug. 11, with Monster DJs on hand to personally put the RX stickers on cars and vehicles. Anniversary month culminates in the RX Listeners’ Anniversary Party to be held on Aug. 31 at the posh Alchemy Vapor Bar at Silvercity, Tiendesitas.

As it grows through the years, Monster Radio RX 93.1 proves that the Best FM Station is definitely “Manila’s Hottest,” one rare instance when quality and popularity converge in one station.