Four individuals and an organization, among them a Filipino fisherman, were formally given Tuesday, Nov. 30 their prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award–Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
Among the awardees is Roberto “Ka Dodoy” Ballon, a Filipino fisherman and community environmentalist from Zamboanga Sibugay.
In his acceptance speech, Ballon said, “Let me say it again, no matter how simple we are, we are capable of rising above our weaknesses, capable of choosing what is good, and ever capable of making a new start.”
“May this crusade continue until we can achieve our goal of becoming successful and progressive Filipinos in the entire nation and to the whole of Asia and the world,” the 53-year-old fisherman added.
Ballon is being recognized for “his inspiring determination in leading his fellow fisherfolk to revive a dying fishing industry by creating a sustainable marine environment for this generation and generations to come, and his shining example of how everyday acts of heroism can truly be extraordinary and transformative.”
Read more:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/11/30/pinoy-fisherman-among-asian-heroes-feted-with-ramon-magsaysay-award/