The 1960 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership

RESPONSE of Rosario Encarnacion

We, Filipinos, have a saying that he who fails to look back where he came from cannot reach his destination. So, to reach this destination, we shall look back and give our endless thanks, first to our late Ramon Magsaysay who left us beautiful and undying ideals; second, to the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement and Mr. Angel Mandac, who patiently taught us careful bookkeeping; third, to our townmates who gave us complete faith and entrusted to us their savings; and above all, to God who enlightened our minds that we may perform our given task without blemish.

Because of these ideals we have received an honor which, even in our dreams, we did not think we would be worthy of. So permit me to relate an incident in my life.

In October of 1963 I became seriously ill and everybody thought I would not live. But nothing is impossible if so willed by God; that is why I am here before you, hale and hearty. When I recovered, I asked myself the following questions:

1. Why did I survive that serious illness?

2. What is God's plan for my life?

3. Do I have a duty I have not yet accomplished?

My long period of waiting found its answer tonight. It is none other than the Award which my husband and I have received. This Award has a small voice which whispers that we have a duty and a responsibility to our country and that we should live to serve our fellowmen.

May I convey to the four corners of our country at this moment that we shall serve not only in Barrio Bantug, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, but in the whole Philippines wherever the need may arise in keeping with the ideals of our late President Ramon Magsaysay. With the PRRM, our townmates and all who uphold the high principles of our beloved Ramon Magsaysay, we want to share the honor we received.