Noy hails Magsaysay awardees for ‘back-breaking efforts’

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino lauded the 2015 Ramon Magsaysay awardees during yesterday’s ceremonies, saying that real transformation requires backbreaking effort and this is what they gave, willingly.

The extraordinary achievements of the five individuals from India, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines were presented during the ceremonies.

“In many ways, you are like the heroes that many of my countrymen remember on this day: those who struggled and endured hardship for a greater cause,” Aquino said, noting the awarding rites at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City coincided with the country’s observance of National Heroes Day.

He said it was an extraordinary occasion because exactly 57 years ago, on Aug. 31, 1958, the first Ramon Magsaysay Awards were given to five individuals. 

“None of our awardees embarked on these journeys out of a desire for fame and fortune; none of you chose to take on these responsibilities because you thought that they were simple or easy. It is only right that we are paying tribute to all of you on this occasion. You are the modern-day heroes that not only Filipinos, but all men and women all over the world, need,“ Aquino said.

The commemoration of National Heroes Day names no single person, according to Aquino, and nowhere does it say that blood must be shed for one to be considered a hero. 

“What matters most is the attention and care we give to the ignored and the oppressed; the courage to stand for what is right; and the constant, quiet determination to do our part in uplifting our fellowmen,“ he said.

Aquino said these were the same principles that informed the leadership of former president Ramon Magsaysay, a true statesman and a renowned steward of the people’s trust, held in esteem not only in the country, but also in the rest of the world. 

“Should we examine the Magsaysay Credo, we will find no allusion to news-making deeds. Instead, we see the promise of service, especially to the common man, and a moral code and style of governance founded on the very same,” the President said.

This year’s Ramon Magsaysay awardees include Anshu Gupta from India, who founded the organization called Goonj and helped a vast number of Indians to take stock of their own lives through the various initiatives under its Cloth for Work program.

Kommaly Chanthavong from Laos turned her love for silk weaving into the Phontong Handicraft Cooperative, covering 35 villages and other initiatives that provided livelihood for her countrymen.

From the Philippines, Ligaya Fernando-Amilbangsa refused to forget her roots and turned her appreciation of the arts into an advocacy, with the most important one being the study, practice and teaching of the dance style, pangalay, from the southernmost part of the country.

From Myanmar, Kyaw Thu, an esteemed actor, chose to make his mark beyond the silver screen, and worked with the marginalized by founding a society to help the poor bury their dead in accordance with the proper Buddhist burial rites. 

Sanjiv Chaturvedi, who is also from India, dedicated his life to fighting corruption in government.