5 Ramon Magsaysay awardees arrive today

MANILA, Philippines - Five of the six Ramon Magsaysay awardees from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India and Taiwan are expected to arrive today to take part in the awarding ceremonies on Aug. 31 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Since 1954, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has been giving recognition to outstanding individuals for their selfless service to uplift the lives of millions in Asia.

Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto of Indonesia will receive the award for his sustained advocacy of community-based natural resource management and for leading both a campaign to stop illegal forest exploitation, as well as fresh social enterprise initiatives that engage forest communities.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan of Bangladesh will be honored for her uncompromising courage and impassioned leadership in her campaign of judicial activism, which affirms the people’s right to good environment as nothing less than their right to dignity and life.

Yang Saing Koma of Cambodia is cited for his creative fusion of practical science and collective will that has inspired and enabled vast numbers of farmers to become more empowered and productive contributors to their country’s economic growth.

Kulander Francis of India will receive an award for his visionary zeal, his profound faith in community energies, and his sustained programs in pursuing the holistic economic empowerment of women and their families in the rural areas.

Chen Shu-Jiu of Taiwan receives a Special Presentation for her deep, consistent, quiet compassion that has transformed the lives of numerous Taiwanese she has unselfishly helped.

Romulo Davide of the Philippines will be honored for his steadfast passion in placing the power and discipline of science in the hands of Filipino famers, who have consequently multiplied their yields, created productive farming communities and rediscovered the dignity of their labor.