Robredo honored at 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awards

A moment of silence and a series of tributes were given at the 2012 Ramon Magsaysay Awards on Friday to the late Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo —himself an awardee of the prestigious honor.

 

The award is named after the only Philippine president who also happened to die in a tragic plane crash, in 1957.

 

The entire Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, Manila —packed with over 1,000 attendees, according to the organizers— fell silent after the opening ceremonies in homage to Robredo, who died on August 18 in a tragic plane crash.

 

This was followed by a brief video tribute projected onto the halls' large screens, which showed Robredo talking about integrity, family, active citizenship, and leadership.

 

Afterward, it was announced that each Ramon Magsaysay awardee would take home a copy of the children’s book “The Public’s Servant,” which is based on Robredo’s life and is part of a series focused on real-life heroism.

 

They also got copies of his eldest daughter Aika’s award-winning essay, “Inspiring Me to Make a Difference: Personal Lessons from a Magsaysay Awardee,” which she wrote when she was just 15 years old. The piece won the grand prize for the Ramon Magsaysay Student Essay Competition in 2003 in the High School category.

 

Robredo was conferred the Ramon Magsaysay award for Government Service in 2000, in recognition of his achievements as mayor of Naga City, his hometown in the Bicol region.

 

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) honored Robredo for “giving credence to the promise of democracy by demonstrating that effective city management is compatible with yielding power to the people.”

 

Robredo died when the Piper Seneca plane he was in, along with with three other people, crashed off Masbate on Saturday, August 18.

 

His remains were cremated in Naga City on Tuesday, August 28, a week after his remains were retrieved.

 

During his requiem mass, Robredo was posthumously conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Chief Commander by President Benigno Aquino III, the highest presidential award that can be given without Congress’ approval.

 

In his lifetime, Robredo was also a recipient of the Dangal ng Bayan award, the highest honor given to government officials or employees for outstanding public service.

 

President Aquino also lauded the awardees for their achievements and where he also gave another tribute to Robredo.

 

“Jesse, as do all recipients of these awards, stood as a bearer of Ramon Magsaysay’s legacy,” he said.

 

“The late President was known for his straightforward, uncomplicated, but effective leadership. He was honest. He never got caught up in the trappings of power, and yet, he was comfortable exercising that power to get things done,” he continued.

 

Aquino said Robredo’s legacy is akin to Magsaysay’s, in that both are remembered for their down-to-earth natures. He noted that Robredo participated in garbage collecting and shovelled mud in the streets wearing slippers, and always made time for his family.

 

“Whenever I hear these stories about President Ramon Magsaysay, I cannot help but remember Jesse. Like Magsaysay, Jesse was unassuming, unpretentious, and very effective. He kept himself grounded,” Aquino also said.

 

The 2012 Ramon Magsaysay awardees include Chen Shu Chu (Taiwan). Romulo Davide (Philippines), Kulandei Francis (India), Syeda Rizwana Hasan (Bangladesh), Yang Saing Koma (Cambodia), and Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto (Indonesia).

 

Davide is an agricultural scientist, known internationally for his studies on crop-destroying pests. His brother Hilario, a former Chief Justice of the republic, was also conferred the Magsaysay award in 2002 for Government Service.

 

According to an RMAF press release, The Ramon Magsaysay Award was established in 1957 “to honor the spirit of greatness and selfless leadership” of individuals and organizations.

 

The Ramon Magsaysay Award is recognized as Asia’s premier prize and the region’s highest honor.

 

Among the Filipino awardees of the award include Aquino’s mother former President Corazon (1998, Peace and International Understanding), filmmaker Lino Brocka (1985, Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts), the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation (2006, Community Leadership), actress Rosa Rosal (1999, Public Service) and Davide’s brother former Chief Justice Hilario (2002, Government Service). — TJD, GMA News