I am grateful to my son’s professor Marianne G. Quebral for inviting my son and her other students to the 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Award Presentation Ceremonies on August 31 which was held at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines.
My son came home very happy and inspired by the great deeds of the six awardees namely Chen Shu-Jiu from Taiwan, Romulo Davide from the Philippines, Kulandei Francis from India, Syeda Rizwana Hasan from Bangladesh, Yang Saing Koma from Cambodia and Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto from Indonesia.
He said President Aquino gave the congratulatory remarks and he wanted to shake his hands except there were about 15 people around him. He also wanted to get the autographs of all the awardees but the line was so long.
My son’s young mind was immersed with the many great things a person could do to make a big difference in the life of others.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) “in recognition of the greatness of spirit shown in service to the peoples of Asia”. It also exemplified the life of Ramon Magsaysay, the 3rd President of the Republic of the Philippines.
I want people to read his Credo. Instead of hanging the faces of politicians inside government (national and local) offices, I suggest that this Credo be plastered on the wall instead. It would be good to include this in the readings of school children so that early on, their minds would travel to the right path.
CREDO
I believe that government starts at the bottom and moves upward, for government exists for the welfare and masses of the nation.
I believe that he who less in life should have more in law.
I believe that the little man is fundamentally entitled to a little bit more food in his stomach, a little more cloth on his back and a little more roof over his head.
I believe that this nation is endowed with a vibrant and stout heart, and possesses untapped capabilities and incredible resiliency.
I believe that a high and unwavering sense of morality should pervade all spheres of government activity.
I believe that the pulse of government should be strong and steady, and the men at the helm imbued with missionary zeal.
I believe in the majesty of constitutional and legal processes, in the inviolability of human rights.
I believe that the free world is collectively strong, and that there is neither need nor reason to compromise the dignity of man.
I believe that communism is iniquity, as is the violence it does to the principles of Christianity.
I believe that the President should set the example of a big heart, an honest mind, sound instincts, the virtue of healthy impatience and an abiding love for the common man.
—- RAMON MAGSAYSAY
