The Gusi Peace Prize is a private award given by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, based in Manila, Philippines.[1] The Gusi Peace Prize is given to recognize individuals and organizations who contribute to global peace and progress through a wide variety of fields.[2]

Gusi Peace Prize 2019
Awarded forTo honor contributions to global peace and progress
LocationManila, Philippines
Presented byGusi Peace Prize Foundation
First awarded2002

The awards ceremonies are held yearly at Philippine International Convention Center (Manila, Philippines)[3] on the fourth Wednesday of November.[4]

Mandate edit

The Gusi Peace Prize is referred to in Presidential Proclamation No. 1476[5] signed by President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 17 March 2008,[6] declaring every fourth Wednesday of November as "Gusi Peace Prize International Friendship Day".[7]

Legacy edit

This Gusi Peace Prize was founded by its now chairman, Mr. Barry Gusi[8] in 2002. The reason behind establishment of this peace award was to continue the ancestral legacy, as well as, to pay special tribute to Captain Gemeniano Javier Gusi (World War II Guerilla Warrior)[9] who subsequently became a politician and a human rights activist in the Philippines.[10] His work was subsequently supported and continued by his spouse, Madame Teodora Sotejo Gusi who established and moderated many charitable projects to help the persons in need (including abused children and wives, sick and unemployed persons, humiliated individuals etc.) throughout the Philippines.[11]

Background edit

The Gusi Peace Prize Foundation is a charitable (non-profit)[12] and secular organization.[13] It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Philippines). The foundation recognizes the achievements of various individuals[14] in a wide range of fields[15] (including human rights, peace, communal harmony, health, education, culture, politics and humanity).[16]

Nomination process edit

Gusi Peace Prize Foundation receives more than 1000 proposals every year; however, the 13-member committee (with international jury members from Asia, Europe, Australia and United States)[17] selects only 15 winners. As per the complex and rigorous criteria,[18] all proposed nominations should be endorsed by their relevant organizations/ local ministries who can subsequently certify the worth and achievements of nominees.[19] The final list of winners also require approval of the Senate of the Philippines.[20]

Award ceremony edit

The ceremony consists of a series of pre-award sessions and post-award events[21] which include an official gathering of all laureates in military wreath laying parade at Rizal Park (Ermita),[22] followed by a visit to Manila City Hall for handing-over the Golden Key of Manila by Mayor of Manila, a courtesy call to the President of the Philippines at the Malacañang Palace,[23] folk music and cultural dance performances,[24] press conference at National Press Club (Manila), and farewell programme at Tagaytay city etc.[25] The final award ceremony is held at Philippine International Convention Center (Manila, Philippines)[26] on the fourth Wednesday of November[27] which is being attended by an average crowd of 5,000 guests comprising representatives of the diplomatic corporations, local and foreign politicians, business leaders, celebrities, philanthropists, scientists and other prominent figures from the Philippines and the rest of Asia, as well as the other continents.[28]

Laureates edit

Year Individual or Organization Notes
2023 Hussein Said Bahri, Dr. Ing Ilgam Akbar Habibie, Dao Chi Manh, Jamyang Dolma, Madam Al Ali Nada, Irina Bondar, Atty. Jordan Gjorchev, Dr. Lars Larsen, Deogracias Victor Savellano, Dr. Carlos Paya, Princess Himani Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, Paris Katsivelos, Georges Suha, Dr. Craig Elevitch, Frank Shooster, Xiomara Delgado Reynoso, Vit Jedlicka, Samuel Charles
2022 Hon Nicole Pluss, Dr. Gustavo Oliveira, Dr. Dipo Moni, Dr. Andrew Wong, Cecile De Caunes, Sunil Mehra, Lorenzo David Overi, Shiojiri Kazuko, Arturas Zuokas, Dr. Haji Zulkifly Baharon, Saw Ngwe Lin, Per-Arlid Konradsen, Chen Chien-Jen, Michael Cinco, Gen. Mohammed Alijuhani, Dr. Luis Gallardo
2020 Edmund Bartlett
2019 Farhan Wilayat Butt, Justice Ignacio Mahiques, Patrick De Beyter, Dr. Bernhard Sabel, Dr. Trevor Gibbs, Dr. Mark Berelowitz, Jeffrey Levett, Mario Bucaro, Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Edward Khoo, Dr. John Cook, Dr. Caroline Enriquez, Isko Moreno, Margarita Parshukova, Kgalema Motlanthe, Teerakiat Jaroensettasin, Burak Kiintay, Dr. Gary Dunbar
2015 Hun Many, Dr. Gunther Bonn, Dr Mary Pinder, Shykh Seraj, Stanislav Shushkevich, Dr. Huang Jiefu, Petr Blizkovsky, Zurab Vadachkoria, Dr. Hans Lehrach, Dr. Syunji Sano, Dr. Zuriyadda Sakipova, Askar Akayev, Dr. Rob Verpoorte, Nora Aunor, Antonio Eanes, Ali Mohammed Said Efaifa, Dr. Alexander Chumakov, Dr. Ivan Mazur, Dr. Susan Briggs
2014 Dr. Hans Koechler, Dr. Atiur Rahman, Dr. Manson Fok, Virima Mudogo, Dominique Hoppe, Gerhard Bringmann, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, Parviz Pargari, Dr. Luigi Pellegrini, Dr. Yoshinori Asakawa, Vytautas Landsbergis, Bhojraj Pokharel, Cynthia Villar, Dr. Kazimierz Glowniak, Saad Nahar Al-Baddah Almutairi
2013 Malex Jandali, Arnold Ruutel, Rajkeswur Purryag, Dr. Raoul Weiler, Catherine Atoki, Emil Constantinescu, Prince Bandar Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud, Yolanda Reyes, Dr. Glen Martin, Dr. Igor Kondrashin, Dr. Abdelmadjib Amrani, Sadiq al-Mahdi, Abul Hasan Mohammad Nouman, Dr. Aboubakar Senghore, Jerome Blinde, Dr. Orhan Guvenen, Ferhat Mehenni
2012 Ricaardoe Di Done, Deepika Priyadarshani, Dr. James Dy, Dr. Felipe Guhl, Naseer Shamma, Princess Al-Sabah, Kent Wong, Benjamin Josses Odoki, Y. K. J. Yeung Sik Yuen, Dr. David Christner, Bertrand de Speville, Dr. Ana Flisser, Dr. Timi Ecimovic, Data' Dr. Halo-N, Liisa Kiianlinna, Negoslav Ostojic, Dr. Valery Debrov, Dr. Fidel Julian Gutierrez Vivanco, Ricardo Li Rosi
2010 Arnold Foote Jr

Controversy edit

Politician and professional boxer Manny Pacquiao was shortlisted for the Prize in 2009; but was replaced with singer and actress Lea Salonga.[29] According to the criteria designed by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, the awardees have to be present in the award ceremony to personally receive the prize; however, instead of joining the event, Pacquiao nominated his Canadian adviser, Michael Koncz to receive the prize on his behalf. By following the "No Showing Up - No Award" policy, the chairman of the foundation not only revoked the nomination of Manny Pacquiao but also blacklisted him from all future award shows.[30]

References edit

  1. ^ "International Gusi Peace Awards have been announced". Nisantasi University. 30 December 2021.
  2. ^ "President Michel nominated for prestigious 2016 Gusi Peace Prize award". Seychelles Nation. 25 November 2015.
  3. ^ "SC Justice Bersamin leads Gusi Peace Awards". CNN Philippines. 19 November 2018. Archived from the original on February 4, 2019.
  4. ^ "CJ Bersamin is a Gusi Peace Prize awardee". Abogado. 28 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Proclamation No. 1476, s. 2008". Official Gazette. Republic of the Philippines. 17 March 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  6. ^ "Mancham awarded peace prize for statesmanship". Seychelles Nation. Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). 21 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  7. ^ "FNI's Executive Director Awarded Gusi International Peace Prize". Field Neurosciences Institute (FNI). 15 March 2020.
  8. ^ "2009 Gusi Peace Prize winners". Voice of America (VOA). 5 January 2010.
  9. ^ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY". Library of Philippines Senate. 17 March 2018.
  10. ^ "Gusi Peace Prize Ceremony". Indian Institute of Science. 30 November 2018.
  11. ^ "PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa Awarded with Gusi Peace Prize". Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events. 10 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Renowned Canadian Philanthropist Yank Barry Awarded 2010 Gusi Peace Prize". CISION PR NEWSWIRE. 30 November 2010.
  13. ^ "Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett wins Gusi Peace Prize". Jamaica’s Tourism (Government of Jamaica). 10 August 2022.
  14. ^ "PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa Awarded with Gusi Peace Prize". AMERICAN LEGACY FINE ARTS. 23 May 2012.
  15. ^ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE RECOGNIZES NORTHERN COMMANDER'S CONTRIBUTION TO JAFFNA". Sri Lanka Army. 25 November 2021.
  16. ^ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE 2014 AWARDEES". Senate of the Philippines. 19 November 2014.
  17. ^ "Gusi Peace Prize awardee". Education Briefs EducationWorld. 15 January 2017.
  18. ^ "Samanta Receives 2014 Gusi Peace Prize". Samanta Speaks. 26 November 2014.
  19. ^ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE". Revell Group International (RGI). 30 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Gusi Peace Prize awardee". Education World. 14 December 2018.
  21. ^ "Atiur leaves for Manila to receive Gusi Peace Prize". Prothom Alo (English). 23 November 2014.
  22. ^ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE 2014". Hans Köchler. 23 December 2014.
  23. ^ "Atiur leaves for Manila to receive Gusi Peace Prize". Our lady of Fatima University. 15 November 2019.
  24. ^ "Hun Many Hailed on Return With Peace Prize". The Cambodia Daily LLC. 27 November 2015.
  25. ^ "ВРУЧЕНИЕ ПРЕМИИ МИРА ГУЗИ Д.МЕД.Н., ГРАНД ДОКТОРУ ФИЛОСОФИИ, ПРОФЕССОРУ АСТАФЬЕВУ БОРИСУ АЛЕКСАНДРОВИЧУ". Ноосфера. 1 December 2014.
  26. ^ "The Ceremony of Gusi Peace Prize". The News. 1 December 2018.
  27. ^ "Gambia: Foreign Minister Wins GUSI Peace Prize". All Africa. 5 June 2014.
  28. ^ "PM HARRIS, A GUSI PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE, IS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING STATESMANSHIP". St. Kitts & Nevis. 24 November 2016.
  29. ^ "Manny Pacquiao stripped of Gusi Peace Prize, lambasted by Ambassador Gusi". Spot Philippines. 26 November 2009.
  30. ^ "Manny Pacquiao No-Show Angers Ambassador Gusi". Boxing Scene. 26 November 2009.

External links edit