|
THE 2007
Gusi Peace Prize Awards, Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel
Peace Prize, were given to 15 eminent personalities from
all over the world, including three Filipinos, in
ceremonies held at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City on
November 21.
The
recipients were feted by Philippine Vice President Noli
de Castro, who just flew in from the 13th Asean summit
in Singapore, as well as Manuel L. Morato and Barry S.
Gusi, president and chairman, respectively, of the
Manila-based Gusi Peace Prize Foundation.
The
awards were inspired by the chairman’s father, the late
Captain Gemeniano Gusi, a World War II veteran-
turned-politician, who became popular for his fight for
human rights.
The Gusi
Peace Prize Awards was established seven years ago by
Barry S. Gusi, a renowned internationalist in his own
right, to champion human rights and recognize
individuals from all over the world who have
distinguished themselves in their respective fields in
addition to their outstanding commitment to
humanitarianism, peace and democracy.
The
awardees are chosen based on their contribution to
goodwill, solidarity and respect for human rights. They
are also renowned people from various fields such as
medicine or physiology, journalism, humanities,
scientific discoveries, politics, academe, performing
arts, literature, physics, religion, education,
internationalism, chemistry, economics, business,
philanthropy and more.
This
year’s Filipino laureates are former senator Heherson T.
Alvarez for public service and environment; lawyer
Persida V. Rueda-Acosta for social justice; and the
chief of the Presidential Antigraft Commission (PAGC),
Constancia de Guzman, for antigraft and corruption.
The
foundation honored Alvarez for his visionary leadership
and commitment to protecting the environment as well as
his persistent, courageous struggle to restore
Philippine democracy, modernizing its economy and
advancing social justice.
Acosta,
appointed chief public attorney of the Department of
Justice in 2001, was cited for helping to bring about a
just and humane society. Acosta received the woman of
distinction award from Soroptimist International as well
as the Highest Presidential Award for outstanding public
service in 2004 and for heading free legal aid, access
to the courts, justice and human rights.
De
Guzman, who served in the Department of Trade and
Industry, Department of Social Welfare and Development,
and Department of National Defense, and is now PAGC
chairman, had registered remarkable accomplishments
while at the forefront of reform measures to improve the
quality of governance and give the best public service.
The
international laureates are Sen. Ney Robinson Suassuna
of Brazil for political governance; Thomas Cheng Wai Yu
of Hong Kong for sports; Dr. Shigeru Suganami, M.D.,
Ph.D. of Japan for medicine; Dr. Phet Phongternith of
Thailand for education; American Peter M. Schantz, V.M.D.,
Ph.D. for veterinary medicine; Michalos Constantine of
Greece for poverty alleviation and job creation; George
Bistis of the USA for broadcast journalism; Vice
President Elias Camsik Chin of Palau for humanitarian
law; Dr. Farland H. Stanley of the USA for archeology;
Mr. Yu Pang Lin of China for philanthropy; Dr. Tae Sup
Lee of Korea for public governance and humanitarianism;
and Lt. Gov. Elmo Johnson of the Federated States of
Micronesia for poverty alleviation and indigenous
rights.
During
his speech, Vice President de Castro commended the Gusi
Peace Prize Foundation for its conscious effort to
recognize individuals from all nations who have excelled
in the same endeavor. He acknowledged the organization
for its service through medical missions, outreach
programs and counseling to the underprivileged,
particularly to the deprived, the abused, the humiliated
and the sick.
“Our
government is for peace and unity. We will not stop
working until those guns and violence are shut down. We
continue to have peace talks and we will put an end to
the bloody strife in
Mindanao. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the government have
been working hand in hand and we have been alleviating
poverty in the country. We will not stop until all
Filipinos are in peace with the whole world. To the
laureates tonight, may there be more people like you,”
de Castro said. |
