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In a statement, Ambassador Delia Albert expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It is an honor for the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation to celebrate with the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees present here in Manila, Philippines, and the diplomatic community, who represent the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees from their home countries. This event beautifully reflects our shared commitment to fostering transformative leadership across Asia and stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Ramon Magsaysay Award as a source of pride and hope.”

The event “Celebrating Greatness of Spirit in Manila” is part of a series of knowledge exchange in Asia called “Greatness of Spirit Dialogues and Book Tour.” The event engaged the attendees—mostly diplomats, business leaders, and heads of philanthropic organizations – to join RMAF’s mission by supporting its 65th-anniversary fundraising campaign, which aims to modernize the Ramon Magsaysay Center into a dynamic hub for dialogue and collaboration, amplifying the stories of the Magsaysay Laureates. RMAF further underscores its commitment to fostering transformative leadership across Asia and the world by developing the Magsaysay Laureate Library and Museum which is envisioned to be experiential and multi-generational.

As part of the event, RMAF showcased a seven-volume book series that features the stories of 348 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees titled “Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage, and Service,” as one of the ways the audience can support the Foundation. Additionally, digital portraits originally published on the GOS book series were presented by RMAF President Susanna B. Afan together with former RMAF Chairmen Mr. Aurelio R. Montinola III and Mr. Senen C. Bacani, to the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees in attendance.

RMAF President Susanna B. Afan underscores the Foundation’s role in fostering collaboration among Magsaysay laureates, emphasizing, “This, ladies and gentlemen, is what we do. We spark fires. We help start new movements. We inspire, interconnect and ignite more action through the inspiring lives and transformative works of all 348 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees — This is the legacy we are protecting and preserving.”

The event also featured a video message from HE Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of the ASEAN Secretariat, who highlighted the significance of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, which ASEAN received in 1979. Dr. Hourn remarked, “The Ramon Magsaysay Award symbolizes the spirit of selfless service and leadership that is essential for the progress of our region. We are proud to be part of this legacy.”

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, gives a video message in “Celebration of Greatness of Spirit in Manila”

The presence and support of the diplomatic corps were vital to the event’s success, highlighting the Ramon Magsaysay Award’s significance as a beacon of hope and pride for their respective countries. Their involvement underscores the importance of collaboration and unity in advancing the Foundation’s mission.

A copy of the “Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage, and Service

In celebration of the Ramon Magsaysay Award’s 65th anniversary, donors supporting RMAF’s goals shall receive a set of the GOS Book Series. We are also exploring partnerships for distribution. Interested parties may email greatnessofspiritbooks@rmaward.asia. Your support will positively impact countless lives for your involvement in this meaningful journey.

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“The Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage, and Service” is a compelling collection of narratives that showcase the undaunted courage and selfless service of 326 individuals and 22 organizations in Asia who have received the Ramon Magsaysay Award since 1958. The seven-volume book series highlights the impact of altruistic actions and the profound difference they make in communities.

RMAF President Susan B. Afan and Gentry Press representative Atty. Genesis Sampaga accepted the Stevie Award on behalf of the Foundation. “The Greatness of Spirit (GOS) book series is the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation’s love letter to Asia. Our seven-volume series showcases our region’s rich history through the inspiring stories of all Ramon Magsaysay Awardees. After two years of meticulous research, production, and collaboration with Gentry Press, this series is more than just books—it’s a tribute to the indomitable spirit of Asia,” says Ms. Afan.

RMAF President Susan B. Afan and Gentry Press representative Atty. Genesis Sampaga accepting the Stevie Award for the Greatness of Spirit book series

The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, established in 2013, are open to all organizations and individuals in the 29 markets in the Asia-Pacific. The Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in NGO Publications acknowledges publications demonstrating creativity, innovation, and excellence in the non-profit sector.

For inquiries and to secure your GOS books set, please contact our dedicated marketing team at greatnessofspiritbooks@rmaward.asia. Your support will have a positive and lasting influence on countless lives. We express our gratitude for your involvement in this meaningful journey.

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Ramdas, a former Navy Chief Admiral, passed away on March 15, 2024 at the Military Hospital in Secunderabad, India at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, Lalita Ramdas, three daughters, their spouses, and three grandchildren.

Laxminarayan Ramdas leads the flag hoisting in Talwade Primary School on 26 January 2000

He was not only a staunch advocate for peace but also a leading proponent of gender equality in the military. Under his leadership as navy chief, the armed forces of India began inducting women as short-service commissioned officers, marking a significant step towards gender inclusivity. The navy, under his guidance, became the first service to embrace this transformative change.

Despite being a former navy chief and a war hero, Admiral Ramdas dedicated his life to advocating for peace, disarmament, and dialogue, particularly between India and Pakistan after his retirement. He co-founded the Pakistan-India Peoples’ Forum for Peace and Democracy, serving as the chairperson of the India chapter. Their tireless efforts and citizen-based consensus building were instrumental in fostering understanding across hostile borders.

In 2004, Ramdas, together with Ibn Abdur Rehman of Pakistan, received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for “their reaching across a hostile border to nurture a citizen-based consensus for peace between Pakistan and India.”

Laxminarayan Ramdas (left) and Ibn Abdur Rehman (center) receiving the medallion during the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies held August 31, 2004. Handing the Ramon Magsaysay Award to them is Juan B. Santos, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Chairman (right).

Though he may have departed from this world, his spirit lives on in the hearts of those who strive for a more peaceful and just world.

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A. T. Ariyaratne leading a peace meditation

Ariyaratne, founder of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, the world’s largest spiritually-based people’s development movement, passed away last April 16 at a private hospital in Colombo at the age of 92.

Born in Sri Lanka in 1929, Ariyaratne embarked on a lifelong quest for social justice and communal harmony. Recognizing the post-independence need to uplift marginalized communities and foster unity, he founded the Sarvodaya Movement in 1958, rooted in the principle of sarvodaya shramadana, “meaning to share one’s time, thought and energy for the welfare of all.”

2008 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Ananda Galappatti remembers him, “He was an iconic public figure whose work affected so many lives in Sri Lanka. Like many young people, my first experience of social service was as a student volunteering with the Sarvodaya Movement in 1992. I witnessed the culture of dedicated service that he inspired through his ideas and examples.”

“My own most potent memory of him is of his simple, personal kindness – which I was fortunate to benefit from, when I was a young man out of his depth and in need of reassurance,” Galappatti adds.

A. T. Ariyaratne with monks visiting the Sarvodaya office

Ariyaratne’s bottom-up approach to development empowered communities to identify and address their own needs, leading to flourishing villages across Sri Lanka. His legacy transcended borders, inspiring global adoption of selflessness and service.

He received the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Asia’s premier prize and highest honor, for “his founding and inspired guidance of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, combining voluntary service in meeting village needs with an awakening of man’s potential when he cultivates his best instincts.”

A. T. Ariyaratne receiving the medallion during the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Presentation Ceremonies held August 31, 1969. In photo are Honorable Roberto Concepcion, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (center) and Dean Dioscoro L . Umali, Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Chairman (right).

Though he may have left this world, his spirit lives on in the lives he touched, urging us to pursue a world where justice, equality, and solidarity prevail.

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Transforming Asia, Inspiring the World

The Greatness of Spirit (GOS) Book Tour and Dialogues kickstart in Karachi and Lahore, Pakistan, followed by Manila, Philippines in June, and New Delhi and Dharamshala, India in September.

Attendees are in for a treat as the tour promises engaging conversations and insightful reflections on enduring values like empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of the common good. Through the lens of the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees’ leadership journeys, attendees will have the opportunity to bridge generations and foster a shared vision for a brighter future.

Inspiring Life Narratives

“Greatness of Spirit: Stories of Love, Courage, & Service” is a meticulously crafted seven-volume series spanning over 2,500 pages. It features condensed biographies, anecdotes, and facts on 348 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, along with 1,500 photographs, over 300 illustrations, and motivational messages to the youth.

The Ramon Magsaysay Awardees featured in the book series hail from diverse fields such as entrepreneurship, nation-building, arts, journalism, music, banking, community building, poverty eradication, and rehabilitation. Their extraordinary vision, philosophy, and efforts have offered innovative solutions to Asia’s pressing challenges.

Unlike previous biographies, this series distills the experiences of all 348 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees into a single compilation, framing their remarkable journeys within the intricate tapestry of challenges and issues spanning the decades.

Each volume explores different aspects of the Magsaysay Awards’ history and its impact. Volumes 1 and 2 explore the Award’s early years, and the establishment of its Asian identity with recipients like the Dalai Lama and Mother Teresa. Covering a period marked by authoritarian rule and democratization, Volume 3 features champions of human rights and education and technology. Volume 4 delves into a transformative global era with Laureates contributing to humanity. In volume 5, a diverse group of Laureates are highlighted, addressing issues like poverty and inequality which persisted during the rapid globalization from 1990s to 2000s. Awardees featured in volume 6 works to address the challenges brought by climate change. Volume 7 shows how greatness of spirit unfolded in the years before, during, and after the pandemic.

The narratives of the Magsaysay Awardees act as a bridge between generations, resonating with older individuals by recalling past challenges and achievements while inspiring younger generations to positively impact society. These timeless stories, emphasizing enduring values such as empathy, compassion, and the pursuit of the common good, foster a shared vision for a better future amidst a changing world.

How You Can Support

Join the Foundation in its mission to share impactful stories and causes championed by the Ramon Magsaysay Awardees across Asia. Together, let’s kindle hope and inspiration through these remarkable narratives.

In celebration of the Ramon Magsaysay Award’s 65th anniversary, donors supporting RMAF’s goals shall receive a set of the GOS Book Series. We are also exploring partnerships for distribution. Interested parties may email greatnessofspiritbooks@rmaward.asia. Your support will positively impact countless lives for your involvement in this meaningful journey.

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RMAF: With the many demands of your career and other socio-civic engagements, what made you accept the invitation to be part of the RMAF Board of Trustees?

Kondo: Recognizing and honoring the greatness of spirit remains an enduring and noble pursuit. In a world where adversity and suffering persist, it is essential to acknowledge the remarkable resilience, compassion, and strength that individuals demonstrate in the face of challenges. This acknowledgment not only celebrates the innate goodness within people but also serves as a source of inspiration and hope for others. It highlights the capacity for kindness and selflessness that transcends borders and reminds us of the transformative power of the human spirit to overcome obstacles and foster positive change in the world.

RMAF: What do you most look forward to in your role as a new member of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation’s Board of Trustees?

Kondo: I look forward to exploring and recognizing transformative leaders who are actively making a positive difference in the world is truly empowering. These laureates serve as beacons of inspiration, motivating us all to strive for greater impact and contribution in our own spheres of influence. Their stories of innovation, dedication, and impact not only inspire admiration but also ignite a sense of urgency within us to do more, to be more, and to contribute meaningfully to the betterment of society. In celebrating their achievements, we are reminded of the potential within each of us to effect change and leave a lasting legacy of progress and compassion.

RMAF: In what ways do you plan to collaborate with existing laureates and key stakeholders to ensure the sustained growth and relevance of the Ramon Magsaysay Award?

Kondo: We strive to boost the Award’s recognition across Asia by increasing its visibility, making it a symbol of excellence and innovation that resonates deeply in Asian cultures. Through strategic outreach, collaboration and engagement efforts, we seek to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the Award’s significance, and further accelerate positive change and innovation across Asia and beyond.

RMAF: The first Ramon Magsaysay Awards were given in 1958.  What is the role of the Ramon Magsaysay Award in the present regional and global contexts?

Kondo: In the past six decades, Asia has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into one of the most dynamic and rapidly developing regions on the global stage. The Ramon Magsaysay Award remains relevant regionally and globally as it recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations to their communities, — and Asia – inspiring others to follow suit. It serves as a catalyst for positive change by highlighting efforts to address social, economic, and environmental challenges in Asia. Globally, it promotes excellence, compassion, and transformative leadership, inspiring individuals and organizations worldwide to make meaningful impacts in their communities. Overall, the Award continues to play a crucial role in advancing positive change and progress.

RMAF: How can the Foundation address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field of humanitarian service and leadership?

Kondo: Young people represent the future, holding the key to shaping tomorrow’s world. Therefore, it’s crucial for the Foundation to inspire them by showcasing the outstanding examples set by the laureates. By highlighting the remarkable work and service of these individuals, the Foundation can instill a sense of purpose and motivation in young minds. This encouragement can empower them to actively engage in serving their communities and making a positive difference in society. By following in the footsteps of these role models, young individuals can realize their potential as agents of change, ensuring a brighter and more compassionate future for generations ahead.

RMAF: In our storied 65-year history, we have seen the Magsaysay Laureates address the region’s most pressing challenges.  What issues are you most keen on in our search for transformative leaders in Asia?

Kondo: Given the current situation of escalating geopolitical tensions and the potential for conflict in certain regions, it’s crucial to prioritize leaders committed to peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and dialogue. We need individuals with vision, integrity, and diplomatic skills to navigate complex geopolitical landscapes effectively. These leaders foster stability and cooperation, bridging political divides and forging partnerships. In uncertain times, their dedication to dialogue offers a path to peace and progress. In our search for transformative leaders in Asia, we must find those dedicated to advancing peace and stability in their communities and beyond.

RMAF: The Ramon Magsaysay Award has always been a celebration of “greatness of spirit” in Asia.  How do you define this “greatness of spirit” that the Award embodies?

Kondo: At its core, the “greatness of spirit” celebrated by the Award manifests in acts of kindness and empathy towards others, particularly those who endure suffering or hardship. It encompasses a willingness to extend a helping hand, provide support, and advocate for the rights and well-being of others, even in the face of adversity. This ethos of compassion and service lies at the heart of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, honoring individuals who exemplify the highest ideals of humanitarianism and selfless dedication to improving the lives of others in their communities and beyond.

As James Kondo steps into his role with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, he brings with him a clear vision and steadfast determination. His official assumption of responsibilities signals a new chapter characterized by impactful leadership and innovation. Embracing both the Foundation’s rich legacy and the challenges of the future, with a commitment to honoring tradition and embracing fresh perspectives, Kondo’s leadership promises to invigorate the Foundation’s mission, enriching lives and communities across Asia and beyond.

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Writing about the Taliban’s August 2021 takeover of Afghanistan, twenty years after their removal from power feels surreal and heartbreaking. The Taliban currently ruling Afghanistan is the same extremist entity that revoked the basic human rights of Afghan women, girls, and minorities during their previous reign in the 1990s, reinstating gender apartheid. I never imagined witnessing history repeating itself in my country twice within my life.

I have witnessed numerous rulers in Afghanistan, each with differing abilities and commitment to good governance, development, and promotion and protection of human rights. Despite Afghanistan’s persistent poverty and its predominantly Muslim population living within a patriarchal system, we have never experienced gender apartheid and extreme religious interpretation imposed by the Taliban from 1996-2001 and again today.

How did Afghanistan change from a country where I attended co-educational schools, walked freely, and was not required to wear a headscarf or burka, even in the conservative province of Helmand where I grew up, to becoming the only country in the world where girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade?

Firsthand Experience: Witnessing Afghanistan’s Fortunes Reverse

As Minister of Women’s Affairs for the first six months of the Afghanistan post-Taliban Interim Administration and Chairperson of Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission for 17 years, I witnessed firsthand the factors that led to the recent reversal of Afghanistan’s fortunes.

The diversion of attention with the US invasion of Iraq, US deals with the Taliban, and NATO forces’ withdrawal all contributed to Afghanistan’s collapse, as did systemic internal failures and a fragmented approach to nation-building Afghanistan was a collective failure of its people, government, the international community, and UN agencies. This fall serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of state –building in a deep-seated political, social, and historical challenges and the consequences when women’s rights and human rights are sacrificed for political expediency.

Laying blame is a complicated business. The 45-year war that has afflicted Afghanistan traces its origins to the USSR’s invasion in support of its puppet regime, which seized power through a coup d’état in 1978. Afghans began resisting the oppressive regime and the Soviet invasion to safeguard their freedoms and rights, without any help from outside.

In the 1980s the US, UK, and Arab countries entered a proxy war to counter the USSR and communism, using Islam as weapon of war and backing the most conservative factions. They funded madrassas where Afghan boys were indoctrinated with an aggressive and distorted interpretation of Islam, isolating them from their mothers. The Taliban emerged from these madrassas.

Seizing power in 1996 amid the civil war following the USSR’s 1989 withdrawal and collapse, and the international community’s abandonment of Afghanistan, the Taliban vowed to disarm mujahedeen factions and establish peace and the rule of law. Instead, they turned the country into a prison for women, prohibiting education, employment outside home, and movement without a male relative. Women were forced to wear burqas, and music and television were forbidden. The sports stadium became an execution ground without due process. Afghanistan became world’s leading opium producer and a haven for terrorists’ training camps.

When 9/11 happened, global attention returned to Afghanistan. In response to the attack, the US militarily intervened to remove the Taliban from power, followed by the Bonn conference establishing a new roadmap for a democratic Afghanistan.

For me, this new chapter in Afghanistan’s history began while in Canada receiving the John Humphrey Award on December 5, 2001. An early morning call from my son relayed the news from BBC and CNN: I was now a member of President Hamid Karzai’s cabinet, serving as Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs. My dream was to see a democratic country’s blueprint that embraced all its citizens, and I was part of it.

Over two decades post-Taliban, NATO forces enabled significant progress in human rights and freedom. Women gained access to education, work, and basic human rights. The 2004 constitution guaranteed women’s equal rights and political representation. Domestic violence was criminalized with the Elimination of Violence Against Women Law. Women’s participation expanded in sectors including education, media, healthcare, sports, academia, public service and law enforcement grew. Afghanistan held its first presidential elections to allow citizens, including women as voters and candidates, to participate in the political process.

Many quickly label the two decades the international community spent in Afghanistan as a failure. But consider this: during those years, life expectancy surged from 47 to 63 years, while maternal mortality plummeted by 50%. Children, both girls and boys, returned to schools, initiating nation-building. This isn’t failure.

However, a cohesive, long-term strategy from the international community and the Afghan government was lacking, with many programs and policies being quick fixes. Political will for building a fully democratic and peaceful society was absent, and Afghanistan’s diverse culture and history were often misunderstood Corruption and nepotism further undermined the government’s effectiveness and legitimacy.

Development efforts often failed to align with Afghan needs , prioritizing short-term goals over sustainability. Most projects catered to men, with contracts favoring companies from donor countries. Rather than empowering young Afghans and promoting community ownership, profits enriched a select few and local warlords. Involvement of regional players with conflicting interests only complicated matters.

Taliban Resurgence and Current Challenges

Afghanistan’s dependence on foreign economic and military aid left it susceptible to change in international policies The Trump Administration’s so-called “peace deal” with the Taliban on February 29, 2020, coupled with ineffective management by President Ghani’s administration, emboldened the Taliban and hastened the collapse. What’s more, the Taliban persisted within Afghanistan continuing to fight against the people, the newly formed centralized government, and specially modernity and democracy, symbolized by women’s involvement in society.

The rapid US and NATO forces withdrawal in 2021 created a security vacuum, signaling a loss of international commitment . Despite extensive investment, the security forces, which were plagued by poor leadership and low morale, were ill-prepared to counter the Taliban insurgency. President Ghani’s abandonment of the country on August 15, 2021, erased decades of progress, particularly in women’s rights and democratic institutions. . The Taliban’s takeover saw the Ministry of Women’s Affairs transformed into the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, enforcing edicts that targeted women, girls, and Hazara and Tajik ethnic minority groups. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and all other mechanisms for the protection of women’s rights were abolished.

The current Taliban regime prioritizes maintaining power at any cost, disregarding the suffering of the people. Despite widespread human rights abuses and the re-establishment of gender apartheid, the international community has only lightly condemned these actions. I am deeply concerned about the emerging trend of normalization of the regime, as countries like China, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, and India allow Taliban representatives in their embassies and consulates.

Challenges to Human Rights and Sustainable Peace

Some members of the international community and Taliban lobbyists have claimed that the regime has restored peace and security, reduced opium production, decreased corruption, and stabilized the economy, arguing that the Taliban are the reality of Afghanistan and accepted by the people. However, the international community must not be lulled into complacency.

The fear of Taliban violence does not equate to public acceptance. The scenes at Kabul airport during the evacuation, where people risked their lives to flee the Taliban, contradict any claims of widespread acceptance. Those asserting that the Taliban have brought security forget that the Taliban were the instigators of insecurity, perpetrating killings, torture, suicide attacks, bombings, and targeting schools and gatherings. Now in power, they have ceased directing violence at their own government but remain a threat to Afghan society.

Instead of fostering economic security, the Taliban has prohibited women from employment and forbidden NGOs from hiring women to distribute aid, effectively denying female-headed households access to food and other assistance. Those advocating for the Taliban to continue ruling should empathize with mothers who are compelled to consider selling their young daughters to feed their families, or imagine forbidding their daughters from attending school and being forced into marriage at the age of 12.

Targeted killing, humiliation, and suicide attacks against Hazaras persist unchecked, reminiscent of the atrocities committed under the first Taliban regime, marked by mass graves. When a woman fear leaving her home due to the threat of violence, harassment, abduction, or arrest, it cannot be deemed security. Is it peace when a daughter is confined indoors, vulnerable to abduction by the Taliban morality police even while studying in classrooms? While corruption existed in the previous government, passports are now sold on the black market for exorbitant prices. Allegations of widespread corruption in mining contracts and governmental services abound. The populace is weary of the entrenched nepotism within the Taliban government, as well as the extortion and bribery enforced through intimidation. Lack of transparency, inclusivity, and media censorship serve as tactics to evade scrutiny.

Insights from Afghanistan: Building a Sustainable Path Forward

Everyone has quickly forgotten that it was Taliban who were pushing the people to cultivate opium and taxing both opium producers and smugglers to fund their fight against the government and destabilize the country. To appease the international community, they now denounce opium production as un-Islamic, leading to higher prices and a surge in trafficking of other illegal drugs like amphetamines, as reported by the UN. While I understand that there are other priorities and conflicts around the world and that each conflict requires it is own attentions, ignoring Afghanistan’s issues won’t solve other conflicts globally. Forgetting Afghanistan’s plight risks history repeating itself. The key lesson is clear: peace, security, and development hinge on respecting human rights, especially women’s participation. Sustainable peace requires ending impunity and ensuring accountability for international crimes, particularly sexual and gender-based violence.

The return of the Taliban is not the only historical repetition. Once again, Afghanistan is falling from the international agenda, akin to after the Soviet withdrawal and collapse in 1992. If we as Afghans and the international community learn nothing from our past, the cycle of violence and devastation will spread not only in Afghanistan, but also beyond our borders.

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Yesterday, the 97th birthday—if he had lived—of Ramon Magsaysay came and went—and the usual tributes were paid to his memory, and the annual Magsaysay Awards were fittingly dispensed with the usual fanfare. (The fighting lady I know best, and warmly applaud—Haydee Yorac—was truly deserving!)

Yet the young people of our country, if truth be told, don’t really know what The Guy, Monching Magsaysay, really did for our country. For me, and I’m forever prejudiced in his favor, he was the greatest President we ever had. Not because he was brilliant, or populist – but because he honestly believed in the greatness of the Filipino, and rallied our people around him to demonstrate to themselves that he was right.

Even today, that I am old, thinking of him brings me back to the morning of our lives, when he brought our nation to the threshold of self-confidence, dignity and hope – then was cruelly plucked from us, crashing in flame on a mountaintop in Cebu.

It was typical of him – and fatally so – that the Presidential plane which faltered and failed to climb over the peak of fateful Mount Manunggal was a humble, creaky, second-hand C-47, a surplus aircraft from World War II. It had been christened by him, if you’ll recall, The Mount Pinatubo, in honor of the area in his native Zambales in which he had fought the Japanese as a guerrilla.

The airplane’s name, indeed, had even led to a confusion of names when the wreck of the missing aircraaft finally was discovered by frantic searches. Had RM crashed on Mt. Pinatubo? Had “Mount Manunggal been the name of his Presidental airplane? It was finally, sorrowfully sorted out.

Even then, nobody guessed that Mount Pinatubo wasn’t just an ordinary mountain but a sleeping volcano, which had lain dormant for more than 600 years. It erupted on June 15, 1991, throwing millions of tons of ash and tephra 50,000 feet into the air, killing 550 people in the eruption and its aftermath, burying towns and devastating 100,000 hectares in boiling lahar.

When RM’s widow Luz Banzon Magsaysay died last August 17, at the age of 89 (she had been widowed at 42) we were all poignanty reminded of her graciousness and simplicity when she was First Lady and of the honesty and simplicity which Ramon Magsaysay himself had represented.

Precious and I, of course, rushed over to pay our respects at the wake in De La Salle (Mila Magsaysay-Valenzuela had been her classmate in Sta. Scholastica). And there, too, was Senator Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay – now an experienced and popular solon.

I remember many years ago after his papa’s death when he first made a run for Congress for his father’s former seat in the House as Representative for Zambales, Jun was so nervous because he had never made a public speech.

Mila and her late sister Tessie asked me to help coach Jun in public speaking – and, finally, overcoming his shyness, he managed to mumble his way to victory. He’s much more poised and self-confident now, but in those early, anxious months he – and all of us – were scared stiff he would climb up the entablado and be struck dumb, forgetting his lines entirely. Anyway, we reasoned, how could the son of Ramon Magsaysay go wrong?

RM himself had nagged me incessantly about getting him to be the Ninong at our wedding, but this was not to be. Months before the date, he crashed into the mountain. We got Raul Manglapus in his stead, but Raul forgot the date entirely and didn’t show up at Singalong church. There were other Ninongs, of course, including the late Sixto Brillantes, Sr., the Chairman of the Commission on Elections (father of FPJ’s lawyer, Sixto Jr.) and Foreign Affairs Undersectretary Chito Brillantes, our former Ambassador to Malaysia – both my cousins. Manila Mayor Arsenio H. Lacson also arrived at the church on time. But he dipped his finger in the holy water dish, made the sign of the cross, genuflected, and said: “There, I blessed you already!”

Raul was to tell me later: “What Ho!” (his favorite expression when he’d see me) in his clipped Ateneo-British accent. “By golly, sorry, Max! Was the wedding last week?” He was always so charming, we never held it against him.

After all, let’s not forget, Raul had composed the terrific song which helped bring Manglapus to triumph in his campaign to defeat the incumbent President Elpidio “Apo Pidiong” Quirino. Thanks to him, Mambo, Mambo Magsaysay aroused the people to dance RM to Malacañang, singing, “Our democracy will die, kung wala si Magsaysay!”

I can close my eyes and still hear the thunderous refrain, as a nation mambo’d in the streets. The Mambo of hope. “Mambo na, mambo na!”

As everybody already knows, the rebel Hukbong Magpapalaya ng Bayan (“People’s Liberation Army”), the forerunner of today’s NPA, seemed to be winning everywhere at that time of despair, even maneuvering on the very outskirts of Manila.

Everyone Sniggered and waxed cynical when President Quirino sacked the well-known veteran, Ruperto Kangleon, as Defense Secretary and named an unknown 43-year old Congressman from Zambales the DND on Sept. 1, 1950. It was pointed out that Magsaysay had been so timid and tongue-tied in Congress that he had never worked up enough courage to deliver a privilege speech. The Hulks showed their contempt for The Guy by ignoring his appointment, not even venturing to make a sneering comment about it.

They were not to ignore him for long. RM, a graduate of commerce from JOse Rizal College (but without “distinction”) soon demonstrated that he had more than common sense – he had horse sense. He asked himself the simple question: Why? Magsaysay and his aides hunkered down to studying the tactics of the HMB.

The first thing he undertook was to restore to the army and the Philippine Constabulary their morale and their will to fight. Magsaysay Proved himself a magnetic personality – a man of few words, he however had the personal charisma of reaching out to people, one on one. He never forgot a name or a face. He was a perpetual motion machine – visiting the troops in the field at the most ungodly hours, risking his life again and again, without a care of his own safety. (As reporters, there were times we ourselves hesitated to go with him, he was so reckless. But there was method in his madness. By showing he was fearless, he inspired – or shamed – his men into being fearless themselves.)

He tackled the question of abuses by the military by announcing that any citizen who had a grievance could go to the nearest post office and send a ten-centavo telegram of complaint to him – and he and his military lawyers would act on the complaint in a few days.

No matter how long the letter of complaint was, it would cost only ten centavos!

Speedy courts martial showed the aggrieved parties that Magsaysay was sincere in pledging them justice.

The HMBs promised the people land. RM said: “Come to us and we will give you land. An opportunity for a new life!” He told the rebels that if they surrendered, except those who had committed crimes of murder, arson, and rape, they would be welcomed back into society with open arms.

He proved true to his word. Those who surrendered, he treated well. He warned those who continueds to murder, kill and burn that he would crush them. His policy was called, “All-Out Friendship or All-Out Force.”

Magsaysay overwhelemed everyone with the tidal wave of his sincerity. And when he ran for President in 1953, the job was practically his for the asking.

He donned Barong Tagalog and went to jauntily to be inaugurated, with Apo Pidiong doffing his hat to him. He decreed that basi (Ilocano sugarcane wine), and salabat, be served in the Palace. He threw open to the people the Gates of Malacañang. He was a shownan supreme. But it was to show people that he was the people’s President. He was firm, however, not a “give-away” President. He on all to be their best and to do their best – and an inspired and admiring nation rose to his challenge.

When will we see his like again?

One day, I was riding in the Matorco, the double-decker bus—with the top deck open to the sun—which used to cruise up and down Roxas Boulevard.

I heard my name being called from below, “Max, Max!” I looked down, and there was Magsaysay, galloping beside the slow-moving bus on a white horse – all by himself. I was so alarmed that I shouted at him: “Mr. President – Monching – for Chrissakes – where are your Presidential guards?”

He grinned and shouted back: “They’re half a kilometer behind me – I outran them!” (Those were simpler times, when the Presidential Guard Battalion was less motorized and more informal – owing to RM’s own happy-go-lucky example.) I called on the bus driver to stop, and clambered down.

“Mr. President, an entire squadron of HMBS, or even as assassin, could ambush you the way you’re going around without protection!” RM laughed and merrily said: “You know me well. You’ve gone into the field with me so many times. When it’s your time, it’s your time. If it’s not, God will protect you.”

His very disregard for safety was, in the end, his undoing. Only a broken arm saved me from going with him. Two weeks earlier, I had broken my right arm at the elbow playing basketball for the Manila Times team against the Philippine Herald. A doctor at the nearby Philippine General Hospital reset my arm – wrong. A week later, it had to be broken again and reset in the Singian Clinic, which was just down the road from Malacañang. Magsaysay had called up twice – he was that sort of friend – inviting me to go down to Cebu with him. I pleaded my broken arm, saying I was still in the hospital.

As the Presidential motorcade passed by the Singian Clinis on its way to the airport, Monching spotted me on the balcony, waving at him with my one good arm. He stopped his limousine for a minute, leaned out and urged mee to come down and join him; “Last chance!” he cheerfully called out, “Happy trip.” We were never to see him again.

God, perhaps, took away our most beloved President at the peak of his popularity and powers, to teach us that we must all together, not relying on one hero, work out our salvation. But we who knew and loved him miss Monching Magsaysay so! All these years down the road, I can never think of him without a tear, not merely in the eye, but in the heart.

For he was the best of us—and he taught us, whose lives he so briefly touched—that the Filipino could be among the best. I know he smiles down at us from above, among the stars.

Yesterday, our columnist and editor Joanne Rae Ramire, who knew Mrs. Luz Banzon Magsaysay and Mila well, wrote a wonderful column reminding us that RM—a President, mind you—had not died a rich man. She had interviewed Luz a few years ago. Joanne learned to her amazement that Magsaysay had left only P2,000 behind in a cabinet, one last paycheck (which Luz, sentimentally never cashed) and some land in Zambales.

They never ever owned a house in Manila! Friends, after Monching died in a burst of flame on that mountainside, had to pitch in to buy a home for his widow and children!

In this day, when they’re arguing over “pork barrel” and other multibillion-peso questions, and scams, one longs for that yesterday in which we had a man like Magsaysay, adored and followed in spirit by almost everyone (he had, of course, his vicious foes and detractors)—but steadfast in integrity and strength of purpose to the very end. He had faith in the Filipino, and the Filipino had faith in him.

The article was originally published by the Philippine Star. You may read a [reprint of the article](https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2007/08/23/14880/alas-monching-how-we-miss-you) shared by Preciosa S. Soliven, wife of MX. V. Soliven.

The post Alas, Monching: How we miss you! appeared first on Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Philippines.

In the three-day event, Dr. Hattori expressed his profound satisfaction in being part of such a meaningful project, “I am deeply honored to be a part of this meaningful collaboration with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation and Tzu Chi Foundation. As a foreign doctor, I was able to further understand the cataract situation here in the Philippines. This will surely be the beginning of many eye missions.”

The success of “See Love Clearly: A February Surgical Outreach” exemplifies RMTLI’s commitment to impactful partnerships. Collaborating with organizations like the Tzu Chi Foundation and leveraging the expertise of Ramon Magsaysay Awardees such as Dr. Hattori, RMTLI showcases its capacity to drive meaningful change through collective efforts.

“This synergy between Dr. Tadashi Hattori, the Tzu Chi Foundation, and the support of different organizations such as the Philippine College of Surgeons and the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission, is what the Ramon Magsaysay Award and the Ramon Magsaysay Transformative Leadership Institute are all about—Greatness of Spirit,” remarked RMAF President Susanna B. Afan. “Our Ramon Magsaysay Awardees, our esteemed Filipino ophthalmologists and our small army of volunteers from Tzu Chi Foundation illustrates that true success is not measured by accolades or personal achievements, but rather by the positive influence and impact you bring to others. It lies in witnessing the transformative change you instill in the lives of the people you connect with,” Afan adds.

The project was made possible through the commitment of the medical professionals and the volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation, the support from Dr. Vivencio Jose P. Villaflor III, President of the Philippine College of Surgeons, and Dr. Marcus Lester Suntay, representative of the Foundation of Our Lady of Peace Mission and co-founder of World Surgical Foundation Philippines.

Guided by principles of integrity, compassion, and selfless service, RMTLI projects such as “See Love Clearly: A February Surgical Outreach” drives meaningful change through collective efforts. It ensures that the spirit of transformative leadership thrives, leaving a lasting impact on communities globally.

The post Vision of Compassion: Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Tadashi Hattori and Tzu Chi Foundation’s Cataract Outreach Collaboration appeared first on Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation Philippines.