About the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) is an international wholly independent non-profit organization based in Manila, Philippines. RMAF manages the Ramon Magsaysay Award, pursuing the objective of “honoring greatness of spirit in selfless service to the people of Asia.”
Honoring greatness of spirit in selfless service to the people of Asia
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation was created in 1957, the year the Philippines lost in a plane crash a President who was well-loved for his simplicity and humility, his passion for justice, particularly for the poor, and his advancement of human dignity. Among the many friends and admirers of the late President around the world were the Rockefeller brothers. With the concurrence of the Philippine government, the trustees of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) established the Ramon Magsaysay Award to honor President Magsaysay’s memory and perpetuate his example of integrity in public service and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society.
Supported with a generous endowment from the RBF, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation was organized in Manila in May 1957, with seven prominent Filipinos as founding members of the foundation’s board of trustees. The Foundation has since implemented the Ramon Magsaysay Award program, pursuing the objective of honoring greatness of spirit in selfless service to the people of Asia. The first Ramon Magsaysay Awards were given on August 31, 1958 to five outstanding individuals working in India, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, and SriLanka, and a Philippine-based organization.
Our Vision and Mission
Our Vision
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) recognizes persons and organizations in Asia that exemplify transformative leadership and greatness of spirit.
But beyond the Award, RMAF seeks to amplify and further enhance the Magsaysay Laureates’ work and legacy so their ideas and solutions to Asia’s pressing problems extend beyond their borders; inspiring emergent leaders to do more of what is good and what is right, to make Asia a better and kinder place for all.
Our Mission
To promote and celebrate greatness of spirit
We search for ordinary men, women and organizations that do extraordinary work in Asia.
We support the work of the Ramon Magsaysay Laureates, connecting them to global resources, including next generation leaders.
We seek to inspire. We forge dialogue. We ignite action.
Milestones of The Foundation
Ramon Magsaysay Award
Board of Trustees
2024 Board of Trustees
Edgar O. Chua
Chairperson
Suzanne E. Siskel
Vice Chairperson
Susanna B. Afan
President
Gizela M. Gonzalez-Montinola
Treasurer
Emily A. Abrera
Trustee
Delia D. Albert
Trustee
Maria Cynthia Rose B. Bautista
Trustee
Edmundo Adolfo D. Fernandez
Trustee
James Kondo
Trustee
Josephine Lok
Trustee
Guillermo M. Luz
Trustee
Conchita Carpio Morales
Trustee
Kotchakorn Voraakhom
Trustee
Cecilia L. Lazaro
Chairperson
Suzanne E. Siskel
Vice Chairperson
Susanna B. Afan
President
Gizela M. Gonzalez-Montinola
Treasurer
Emily A. Abrera
Trustee
Delia D. Albert
Trustee
Ernesto D. Garilao
Trustee
Cielito F. Habito
Trustee
James Kondo
Trustee
Josephine Lok
Trustee
Guillermo M. Luz
Trustee
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr.
Trustee
Kotchakorn Voraakhom
Trustee
Aurelio R. Montinola III
Chairman (2023)
Dato Paduka Timothy Ong Teck Mong
Vice Chairperson
Randolf S. David
Trustee (2023)
Cecilia L. Lazaro
Trustee
Suzanne E. Siskel
Trustee
Toshinao Urabe
Trustee
Susanna B. Afan
Trustee
Emily A. Abrera
Trustee
Ernesto D. Garilao
Trustee
Cielito F. Habito
Trustee
Jose L. Cuisia Jr.
Trustee
Ramon R. del Rosario Jr.
Trustee
Cecilia L. Lazaro
Chairperson (2024)
Aurelio R. Montinola III
Chairperson (2020-2023)
Randolf S. David
Chairperson (2003-2004)
Deogracias N. Vistan
Chairperson (1993-1994)
Vitaliano N. Nañagas II
Chairperson (2001)
Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II
Chairperson (2002, 2008-2009)
Juan B. Santos
Chairperson (2004-2005, 2013-2014)
Maria Cynthia Rose B. Bautista
Chairperson (2011-2012)
Senen C. Bacani
Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ
Chairperson (2015)
Jose L. Cuisia Jr.
Chairperson (2019-2020)
Message from the President
“Since 1958, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation has celebrated Greatness of Spirit and Transformational Leadership among dreamers like Vinoba Bhave, Fusaye Ichikawa, and Ka Dodoy Ballon. To date, over 300 dreamers have received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize and highest honor.
In celebration of our 65th year in 2023, we at the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation have set ambitious dreams: To amplify the life-affirming messages and inspiring values of the Magsaysay laureates, to further promote their successful solutions across borders, and to make them true examples of the best of humanity which young people can emulate.
In doing so, we hope to see more people having better access to basic needs; more marginalized communities asserting their human rights; more citizens challenging disinformation; and more young people stepping up to be the leaders they were meant to be.”
Susanna B. Afan
President
