The lone Filipino recipient of this year’s Ramon Magsaysay Awards is no other than educator, Randy Halasan, who served an indigenous tribe living in one of the remotest village in the City of Davao. He is the head teacher of Pegalongan Elementary School because of his emergent leadership.
The Ramon Magsaysay Awards is considered as the Asia’s version of the Nobel Prize, and Asia’s most respected recognition in the Asian region. The Magsaysay award is given to individuals or organization that manifests selfless service as what President Ramon Magsaysay was known for.
In an interview with Randy Halasan, after the announcement that he was recognized by the Ramon Magsaysay Foundation (RMAF) as one of its awardees, the Filipino educator just noted, “No one got rich out of teaching; it’s your legacy that matters,” he said.
According to RMAF, Randy Halasan will receive the award for his emergent leadership in “nurturing his Matigsalug (tribe) students and their community to transform their lives through quality education and sustainable livelihoods…” the RMAF stated.
Randy Halasan studied and obtained his postgraduate and undergraduate degrees in Educational Management and Elementary Education, from the University of Southeastern Philippines. He was assigned in Pegalonga during the year 2007, even turned down offers of reassignment since the, although it took him seven hours to reach the village during his teaching career.
The 32-year-old Randy Halasan also lobbied for the expansion of the Pegalongan school, as he believes that education is key to the survival of the Matigsalug tribe in a changing world.
The 2014 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee also inspired his fellow teachers and villagers to create a food-sufficient community by planting fruit trees and vegetables. Right now, the Pegalongan farmers have collectively owned rice and corn mill, a seed bank, a cattle dispersal project and a horse for transporting their produce.
The awarding ceremony of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards will be held this coming August 31, 2014 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
