‘Heroes of Hope’

Every year, the life-altering contributions of Asian individuals and organizations are recognized by the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

In the 60 years of the Award’s creation, 330 Ramon Magsaysay laureates have worked on “a wide range of economic, social and political issues within changing historical contexts of their vastly different Asian societies.”

This year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees are Ambassador Howard Dee (Philippines), for championing the human face of peace, justice and economic growth; Youk Chhang (Cambodia), for preserving historical memory for healing and justice; Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz (Timor Leste), for building a caring society, brick by brick; Bharat Vatwani (India), for restoring health and dignity to troubled lives; Vo Thi Hoang Yen (Vietnam), for claiming opportunities for the differently abled; and Sonam Wangchuk (India), for harnessing nature, culture and education for community progress.

Ambassador Howard Dee.

After the presentation ceremonies at the CCP, with Vice President Leni Robredo as guest of honor, this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, past awardees, guests and friends of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation proceeded to the Ramon Magsaysay Hall on Roxas Boulevard for the gala dinner.

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation chairman Senen Bacani and president Carmencita Abella welcomed everyone to the gala dinner.

The Ramon Magsaysay Hall was beautifully decorated by Rachy Cuna, the only floral architect of the Philippines and a longtime friend of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation.   

Congratulations to the “Heroes of Hope!”

A star-studded movie night

(From left) Theodore Tan, Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla and Dr. Steve Mark Gan.

Dentist to the stars” Dr. Steve Mark Gan recently hosted a special block screening of the hit movie The Hows of Us. The  movie was top billed by Kathryn Bernardo, one of the newest faces of the Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center (GAOC).

The event, which had valued clients, partners, and friends in attendance, was proof of Dr. Steve Mark Gan’s generous support to his celebrity brand ambassadors. This was also his way of thanking them for their unwavering loyalty and trust.

Kathryn and co-star Daniel Padilla graced the block screening, which brought excitement and thrill to the evening.  Also present were other cast members Ria Atayde and Kit Thompson.

GAOC is a premier chain of dental clinics in Southeast Asia, and currently has 10 state-of-the-art branches that offer an extensive range of first-class services, featuring the latest in technology and treatments, from oral surgery and periodontics, orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, prosthodontics and general dentistry to cosmetic and laser dentistry. *

 (Check out www.gaocdental.com.)

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(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)