A FORMER head of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and a leading institution in Philippine theater are among this year’s recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the foundation named after the postwar-era Philippine leader disclosed on Thursday, July 27.

Established in 1957, the year of Philippine President Ramon D.F. Magsaysay’s death in a plane crash in Cebu, the award named after him is widely regarded as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. According to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF), the annual award is given to “individuals or organizations in Asia who manifest the same selfless service and transformative influence that ruled the life of the late and beloved Filipino leader.”

Lawyer and public servant Lilia B. De Lima is honored this year for “her unstinting, sustained leadership in building a credible and efficient PEZA….”

RMAF said of Ms. De Lima’s 20-year stint as PEZA director-general: “Under Lilia de Lima’s leadership, PEZA enabled the rise of the Philippines as one of the region’s top investment destinations. Among the radical policies that made this possible were a shift from government-financed to private sector-led ecozone development; streamlined 24/7 PEZA operations to reliably service global locators; investor-friendly regulations, purposeful interagency partnerships, and strengthened relations with local governments in the ecozones.

The other honoree from the Philippines is the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), the renowned theater group which now marks its 50th year.

Established in 1967 by theater artist and public servant Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, PETA is honored for its bold, committed productions amid the repression of the Marcos dictatorship as well as its current work aimed at tackling today’s social issues.

RMAF cited the group’s “contributions in shaping the theater arts as a force for social change, its impassioned, unwavering work in empowering communities in the Philippines, and the shining example it has set as one of the leading organizations of its kind in Asia.”

The other awardees this year are Japanese scholar Yoshiaki Ishizawa, who is cited among other things for his efforts in behalf of Cambodia’s heritage; Abdon Nababan, a leading advocate for the indigenous peoples of his native Indonesia; Gethsie Shanmugam of Sri Lanka, cited for her humanitarian efforts in behalf of children and the displaced in war; and Tony Tay of Singapore, recognized for wide-ranging charity work.

“The Magsaysay awardees of 2017 are all transforming their societies through their manifest commitment to the larger good. Each one has addressed real and complex issues, taking bold and innovative action that has engaged others to do likewise,” said RMAF President Carmencita T. Abella.

The six 2017 Magsaysay Awardees will be formally conferred the award on Aug. 31 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

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