The Ramon Magsaysay Award ( Filipino: ''Gawad Ramon Magsaysay'') is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President

Ramon Magsaysay Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay Sr. (August 31, 1907 – March 17, 1957) was a Filipino statesman who served as the seventh President of the Philippines, from December 30, 1953, until his death in an 1957 Cebu Douglas C-47 crash, aircraft disast ...

's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society. The prize was established in April 1957 by the trustees of the

Rockefeller Brothers Fund The Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) is a philanthropic foundation created and run by members of the Rockefeller family. It was founded in New York City in 1940 as the primary philanthropic vehicle for the five third-generation Rockefeller brothe ...

based in New York City with the concurrence of the

Philippine government The government of the Philippines () has three interdependent branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The Philippines is governed as a unitary state under a presidential representative and democratic constitutional repub ...

. It is often called the "Nobel Prize of Asia".

History

In May 1957, seven prominent Filipinos were named to the founding board of trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, the non-profit corporation tasked with implementing the awards program. Later on, the board of trustees diversified and included prominent Asians from all over the Asian continent and outlying islands. The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation gives the prize to Asian individuals achieving excellence in their respective fields. The award is named after

, the seventh

president of the Philippines The president of the Philippines (, sometimes referred to as ) is the head of state, head of government and chief executive of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-ch ...

. This has generated criticism due to allegations of brutal suppression of dissent and subserviency to the

US government The Federal Government of the United States of America (U.S. federal government or U.S. government) is the national government of the United States. The U.S. federal government is composed of three distinct branches: legislative, execut ...

during Magsaysay's tenure as

defense secretary The United States secretary of defense (acronym: SecDef) is the head of the United States Department of Defense (DoD), the executive department of the U.S. Armed Forces, and is a high-ranking member of the federal cabinet. DoDD 5100.1: Enclosu ...

and president.

Award categories

The award recognizes and honors individuals and organizations in Asia regardless of race, creed, sex, or nationality, who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have helped others generously without anticipating public recognition. The awards used to be given in six categories, five of which were discontinued in 2009: * Government Service (1958–2008) * Public Service (1958–2008) * Community Leadership (1958–2008) * Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts (1958–2008) * Peace and International Understanding (1958–2008) * Emergent Leadership (since 2001)

Awardees

The winners of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards come from different parts of Asia, although there are some instances where the winners came from countries outside Asia who had served, worked or accomplished something in different Asian countries. As of 2021, recipients have come from twenty-two Asian countries. The following is a partial list of the awardees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award.Complete list of awardees by year
/ref> Awardees' individual nationality or country of origin and citizenship are indicated. Starting 2009, the Award is no longer being given in fixed categories except for Emergent Leadership.

Government Service (1958–2008)

To recognize outstanding service in the public interest in any branch of government, including the executive, judicial, legislative, or military.

Public Service (1958–2008)

To recognize outstanding service for the public good by a private citizen.

Community Leadership (1958–2008)

To recognize leadership of a community toward helping the disadvantaged have fuller opportunities and a better life.

Journalism, Literature, and the Creative Communication Arts (1958–2008)

To recognize effective writing, publishing, or photography or the use of radio, television, cinema, or the performing arts as a power for the public good.

Peace and International Understanding (1958–2008)

To recognize contributions to the advancement of friendship, tolerance, peace, and solidarity as the foundations for sustainable development within and across countries.

Emergent Leadership (2001–present)

To recognize an individual, forty years of age or younger, for outstanding work on issues of social change in his or her community, but whose leadership may not yet be broadly recognized outside of this community.

Uncategorized (2009–present)

References

External links

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation

Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation News
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