Gusi Peace Prize

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Gusi Peace Prize
Gusi Peace Prize Ceremony 2019 (1).jpg
2019 awarding ceremony
Awarded forTo honor contributions to global peace and progress
Location Pasay, Philippines
Presented byGusi Peace Prize Foundation
First award2002

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] It is conferred with the expectation that a recipient will continue working for peace. [3]

Contents

The awards ceremonies are held yearly at Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay in Metro Manila. [4] on the fourth Wednesday of November. [5]

Background

History

This Gusi Peace Prize was founded by its now chairman, Barry Gusi [6] in 2002. He established it to pay special tribute to Captain Geminiano Javier Gusi, a World War II guerrilla [7] who subsequently became a politician and a human rights activist in the Philippines. [8] His work was subsequently supported and continued by his wife, Teodora Sotejo Gusi, who established and moderated many charitable projects to help persons in need (including abused children and wives, sick and unemployed persons, humiliated individuals, etc.) throughout the Philippines. [9]

Foundation

The Gusi Peace Prize Foundation is a charitable, nonprofit, [10] secular organization [11] registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission . The foundation recognizes the achievements of various individuals [12] in a wide range of fields [13] (including human rights, peace, communal harmony, health, education, culture, politics and humanity). [14]

Nomination process

Gusi Peace Prize Foundation receives more than 1,000 proposals every year, from which the 13-member committee (with international jurors from Asia, Europe, Australia and United States) [15] selecting 15 winners. As per the award’s criteria, [16] all proposed nominations should be endorsed by their relevant organizations or local ministries who can subsequently certify their nominees’ worth and achievements. [17] The final list of winners also requires the approval of the Senate of the Philippines. [18]

Awards ceremony

The ceremony consists of several of pre-awarding sessions and post-awarding events for laureates, [19] including a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park, [20] a visit to Manila City Hall for a ceremonial handover of the Golden Key of Manila by Mayor of Manila, a courtesy call to the President of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace, [21] cultural music and dance performances, [22] a press conference at the National Press Club in Manila, and a farewell programme in Tagaytay, Cavite, among others. [23]

The final awards ceremony is held at Philippine International Convention Center [24] on the fourth Wednesday of November. [25] The average number of attendees of around 5,000, comprises representatives of the diplomatic corporations, local and foreign politicians, business leaders, celebrities, philanthropists, scientists and other prominent figures from the Philippines, Asia, and the rest of the world. [26]

Recognition by the Philippine government

The Gusi Peace Prize is referred to in Presidential Proclamation No. 1476 [27] signed by President of the Philippines Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on 17 March 2008, [28] declaring every fourth Wednesday of November as "Gusi Peace Prize International Friendship Day". [29]

Controversies

Personal appearance requirement

Politician and professional boxer Manny Pacquiao was shortlisted for the Prize in 2009, but was replaced with singer and actress Lea Salonga. [30] According to the criteria of the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, awardees must be present at the awards ceremony to personally receive the prize; instead of attending the event, Pacquiao designated his Canadian adviser, Michael Koncz, to receive the prize on his behalf. In following the “No Showing Up - No Award” policy, Gusi as chairman of the foundation not only revoked the nomination of Manny Pacquiao but also blacklisted him from all future awarding. [31]

Barry Gusi's ambassadorship

Barry Gusi was scrutinized in 2011 for allegedly posing as a Philippine ambassador to both the Federated States of Micronesia and the Northern Marianas Islands. Article 177 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, under “Usurpation of Authority or Official Functions”, penalizes individuals posing as government officials, officers, or representatives with imprisonment [32]

Gusi admitted to not being a diplomatic envoy under the Department of Foreign Affairs, clarifying he was an “honorary ambassador”. This was in response to the DFA issuing a statement that he was never a diplomat, after a company looking to sponsor the award conducted a verification process and subsequently dropped their bid. Gusi claimed he would not appear in DFA records as an “honorary ambassador” for the Northern Marianas by appointment of the territory’s governor and senate president, adding he held the post from 1996 to 1999. [33]

References

  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. ↑ "World Philosophy Day 2024 - by Jeffrey Levett". Meer.Com. 26 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "SC Justice Bersamin leads Gusi Peace Awards". CNN Philippines. 19 November 2018. Archived from the original on 4 February 2019.
  5. ↑ "CJ Bersamin is a Gusi Peace Prize awardee". Abogado. 28 November 2018.
  6. ↑ "2009 Gusi Peace Prize winners". Voice of America (VOA). 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 23 September 2020.
  7. ↑ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY". Library of Philippines Senate. 17 March 2018.
  8. ↑ "Gusi Peace Prize Ceremony". Indian Institute of Science. 30 November 2018.
  9. ↑ "PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa Awarded with Gusi Peace Prize". Wazzup Pilipinas News and Events. 10 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Renowned Canadian Philanthropist Yank Barry Awarded 2010 Gusi Peace Prize". CISION PR NEWSWIRE. 30 November 2010.
  11. ↑ "Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett wins Gusi Peace Prize". Jamaica’s Tourism (Government of Jamaica). 10 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa Awarded with Gusi Peace Prize". AMERICAN LEGACY FINE ARTS. 23 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE RECOGNIZES NORTHERN COMMANDER'S CONTRIBUTION TO JAFFNA". Sri Lanka Army. 25 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE 2014 AWARDEES". Senate of the Philippines. 19 November 2014.
  15. ↑ "Gusi Peace Prize awardee". Education Briefs EducationWorld. 15 January 2017.
  16. ↑ "Samanta Receives 2014 Gusi Peace Prize". Samanta Speaks. 26 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE". Revell Group International (RGI). 30 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "Gusi Peace Prize awardee". Education World. 14 December 2018.
  19. ↑ "Atiur leaves for Manila to receive Gusi Peace Prize". Prothom Alo (English). 23 November 2014.
  20. ↑ "GUSI PEACE PRIZE 2014". Hans Köchler. 23 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "Atiur leaves for Manila to receive Gusi Peace Prize". Our lady of Fatima University. 15 November 2019.
  22. ↑ "Hun Many Hailed on Return With Peace Prize". The Cambodia Daily LLC. 27 November 2015.
  23. ↑ "ВРУЧЕНИЕ ПРЕМИИ МИРА ГУЗИ Д.МЕД.Н., ГРАНД ДОКТОРУ ФИЛОСОФИИ, ПРОФЕССОРУ АСТАФЬЕВУ БОРИСУ АЛЕКСАНДРОВИЧУ". Ноосфера. 1 December 2014.
  24. ↑ "The Ceremony of Gusi Peace Prize". The News. 1 December 2018.
  25. ↑ "Gambia: Foreign Minister Wins GUSI Peace Prize". All Africa. 5 June 2014.
  26. ↑ "PM HARRIS, A GUSI PEACE PRIZE LAUREATE, IS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING STATESMANSHIP". St. Kitts & Nevis. 24 November 2016.
  27. ↑ "Proclamation No. 1476, s. 2008". Official Gazette. Republic of the Philippines. 17 March 2008. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  28. ↑ "Mancham awarded peace prize for statesmanship". Seychelles Nation. Seychelles Tourism Board (STB). 21 June 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
  29. ↑ "FNI's Executive Director Awarded Gusi International Peace Prize". Field Neurosciences Institute (FNI). 15 March 2020.
  30. ↑ "Manny Pacquiao stripped of Gusi Peace Prize, lambasted by Ambassador Gusi". Spot Philippines. 26 November 2009.
  31. ↑ "Manny Pacquiao No-Show Angers Ambassador Gusi". Boxing Scene. 26 November 2009.
  32. ↑ "Head of "Gusi Peace Prize" under fire for claiming to be PH envoy; DFA denies ever appointing him" . Retrieved 2 December 2024.
  33. ↑ Meruenas, Mark (26 September 2011). "Gusi Peace Prize founder says he is 'honorary ambassador' of Northern Marianas". GMA News Online. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
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