Among the awardees is STAR chairman and publisher Max Soliven who was cited for upholding freedom of expression in the Philippines.
The other awardees include the queen of Palau, the president of Palau, the governor of Guam, a former Mr. Universe from the United States, two Philippine senators, a renowned Filipino woman scientist, a Florence Nightingale International awardee, a children’s rights advocate and educator, and a respected Filipino movie actor.
Now on its second year, the Gusi Peace Prize recognizes and honors distinguished individuals or groups worldwide with exemplary contribution to peace and human rights, in the field of science discovery, politics, academe, performing arts, literature, medicine, journalism, humanity, physics, religion and internationalism.
The Gusi Peace Prize mission is to champion human rights and maintain governance, democracy, equality and world peace.
The Gusi Peace Prize Organization was founded by Capt. Gemeniano Javier Gusi, a World War II guerilla, politician and fighter for human rights. His son Barry now spearheads the peace prize organization.
The awardees for this year’s Gusi Peace Prize are Queen Bilung, Gloria Gibbon Salii, Palau for international women’s rights advocacy; President Tommy E. Remengeasau of the Republic of Palau for ecosystem and biodiversity advocacy; Lt. Gov. Kaleo Moyland, Guam, for politicaladvocacy for Micronesia; Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Philippines, and Sen. Jesse Anderson Lujan, Guam, for political advacacy; Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, for international diplomacy through tourism; Ambassador Enrique Syquia, of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta for humanitarian advocacy; Teresita Ang-See of the Philippines for humanitarian advocacy; Maximo V. Soliven, publisher and chairman of the Philippine STAR and PEOPLE Asia Magazine for journalism and freedom of expression; Sen. Carmen Fernandez, Guam, for academe advocacy; Dr. Fe Del Mundo, Philippines, Philippine pediatric health advocacy; Dean Julita Sotejo, Philippines, Philippine nursing health advocacy; Dr. Mildred Go, Philippines, for education and children’s rights advocacy; Dr. Mauro Malang Santos, Philippines, for visual Arts Advocacy; Fernando Poe Jr., Philippines for Cinematic arts advocacy; and Julius Babao, ABS-CBN, Philippines, for special recognition for communication arts (radio and TV) advocacy.
The presentors of the awards were Benjamin Abalos Sr., chairman, Commission on Elections, Philippines; Cynthia De Castro, chairperson, International Public Relations Gusi Peace Prize Organization, Guam, United States of America; Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan; Comr. Linda Malenab-Hornilla, OIC, vice-chairman and executive officer, National Police Commission; and lawyer Mia-Menez Zafra, chairperson, Marriage Enhancement Team Services Foundation and Community Pillar — Technical Committee on Crime Prevention Council, Philippines.