A scientist, a humanitarian, a fisherman, a microfinance expert and a group of documentary crusaders have one thing in common: they are all 2021 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees.
As diverse their backgrounds may be, there is a running thread that weaves them together, their love for their fellow human beings and the desires of their hearts to have a better world.
It may seem abstract to everyone because what one sees is the actions they do to further their causes, the speeches they deliver to make people understand and the interactions with individuals or groups of people they encounter as they make their stand.
It is not an easy path to traverse. From afar, the goal is a big picture that hides the details, much like a mountain that looks easy to climb. But once you are on the hike, there are obstacles, big and small, that you have to deal with in your ascend. And no stone should be left unturned.
Their tasks are daunting and the secret to accomplishment is doing their work every day, rain or shine. They just help people until unknowingly, a sea of people have received help from them or benefited from their good deeds.
In a virtual announcement last August 31, 2021, the Board of Trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) revealed that this year four individuals from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines, and one organization from Indonesia, will receive Asia’s premier prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
The 2021 Magsaysay Awardees are:
Roberto Ballon, Philippines. He is being recognized for “his inspiring determination in leading his fellow fisherfolk to revive a dying fishing industry by creating a sustainable marine environment for this generation and generations to come, and his shining example of how everyday acts of heroism can truly be extraordinary and transformative.”
Steven Muncy, Southeast Asia. He is being recognized for “his unshakable belief in the goodness of man that inspires in others the desire to serve; his life-long dedication to humanitarian work, refugee assistance, and peace building; and his unstinting pursuit of dignity, peace, and harmony for people in exceptionally difficult circumstances in Asia.”
Firdausi Qadri, Bangladesh. She is being recognized for “her passion and life-long devotion to the scientific profession; her vision of building the human and physical infrastructure that will benefit the coming generation of Bangladeshi scientists, women scientists in particular, and her untiring contributions to vaccine development, advanced biotechnological therapeutics and critical research that has been saving millions of precious lives.”
Muhammad Amjad Saqib, Pakistan. He is being recognized for “his intelligence and compassion that enabled him to create the largest microfinance institution in Pakistan; his inspiring belief that human goodness and solidarity will find ways to eradicate poverty; and his determination to stay with a mission that has already helped millions of Pakistani families.”
Watchdoc, Indonesia is being recognized for Emerging Leadership in an Organization “for its highly principled crusade for an independent media organization, its energetic use of investigative journalism, documentary filmmaking, and digital technology in its effort to transform Indonesia’s media landscape, and its commitment to a vision of the people themselves as makers of media and shapers of their own world.”
The Magsaysay Awardees of 2021 are captains of their own soul, they navigate the rough seas of challenges, overcome the gargantuan waves of fears, ride the vicious waters of doubt and row hard to the shore where they experience the tranquil seashore that energizes them time and again to capture and captivate millions of people with their unwavering kindness and true love of country and people.
Witness this year’s virtual presentation ceremony where the awardees will be conferred the much coveted Ramon Magsaysay Award on November 30, 2021, Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Each will receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, and a cash prize.