EDITORIAL - Beacons of hope

Educators who work with the poorest and marginalized sectors. Guardians of the environment and cultural heritage. A journalist. They work tirelessly, in difficult circumstances and mostly away from the limelight, doing what they can to make life better for others.

For their selfless dedication, five individuals and a foundation will receive the Ramon Magsaysay Awards today, the 57th death anniversary of President Ramon Magsaysay Jr.

The awardees are Randy Halasan of the Philippines, who is providing quality education to the Matigsalug tribe in Davao while at the same time preserving their cultural uniqueness. Chinese journalist Hu Shuli is being honored for espousing transparency and accountability in business and public governance, and for setting the example in professional and independent journalism in a country where press freedom faces many threats.

Saur Marlina Manurung has also confronted threats to her personal safety in her efforts to uplift the quality of life of forest people in Indonesia. Her work takes into consideration the unique development challenges of indigenous communities in her country.

The challenges are worse in conflict-torn Afghanistan, where Omara Khan Masoudi has fought to protect his country’s cultural heritage. Another awardee from China, Wang Canfa, is being honored for, among other things, his pro bono public interest litigation of environmental cases where lives and human rights, especially of the poor, are threatened.

The Citizens Foundation of Pakistan will also receive recognition for operating schools founded and operated by individuals with a high level of professionalism. The schools offer quality education to Pakistanis of all faiths, sex and income status.

Carmencita Abella, president of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation, hailed the awardees “for building more hopeful lives among their people – one smart, responsible, and persistent step at a time.”

“While their solutions are distinctively their own, there is one thing this year’s Magsaysay laureates all share:  a greatness of spirit that infuses their leadership for change,” Abella said. “They are all unafraid to take on large causes; they all refuse to give up, despite meager resources, daunting adversity and strong opposition. They are all deeply anchored in hope. We have much to learn from them, and much to celebrate about their greatness of spirit.”

??