IGNITING ACTION

Following its 65th anniversary, we trace back the origins and ethos of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation through the lens of its president, Susanna Afan, and outgoing chairperson, Aurelio Luis Montinola III 

- Mac Fabella

Established in 1957, the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) was inaugurated in the same year of its namesake's passing. Well-admired for his humility, transformative leadership and passion for justice, Ramon del Fierro Magsaysay will always be remembered as more than the seventh president of the Philippines-he was a champion of the people in innumerable measures, his legacy and administration hallowed to this day.

Among the late president's many friends and close witnesses around the globe were the Rockefeller brothers of New York. Through their generous support, the RMAF was organised in Manila with seven Filipinos on its first board of trustees, pursuing the mission of honouring Magsaysay's memory and perpetuating his example across the region.

This has now guided the institution for over six decades. Since the inaugural Ramon Magsaysay Awards were given on August 31, 1958, it has become Asia's premier prize and highest honour, transcending time, borders and spheres of influence. The Award has been conferred upon 348 outstanding individuals and organisations spanning 22 countries and myriad sectors of human development. The common thread that binds them is what the RMAF calls "greatness of spirit", a unique and profound set of values driving their selfless dedication to advancing societies, the continent and the world.

"I would like to believe that the enduring milestones or achievements of an award-giving body like the RMAF are the laureates themselves who are focused, determined and relentless in their crusade and advocacies to serve the peoples of Asia," remarks Susanna Afan, the foundation's current president, in a conversation with Tatler. She expounds further on the institution's longstanding goal: "Our first job is to find and inspire people who, amidst all the bleakness in this world, are beacons of light and hope for all of us."