The 2005 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service

RESPONSE of V. Shanta

The honorable Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, trustees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, distinguished guests, fellow awardees, brothers and sisters of the Philippines.

It was late evening on July 5th when my phone rang and a colleague handed me the hand phone, "call from the Philippines", he said. I had been to Manila earlier, the last time in 2001, as the outgoing President of the Asia-Pacific Federation of Organizations for Cancer Control. I took the call, wondering as to who in the Philippine Cancer Society it could be! Imagine my total bewilderment when the caller identified herself as "Madam Carmencita Abella, President of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation" and congratulated me on being chosen for this world-famous award for 2005. I could only keep on repeating, "I am honored, I am privileged!" She told me that the information was confidential, but I could not help sharing it immediately with Dr. Krishnamurthi, my old-time colleague. His immediate reaction was "Wonderful! It will greatly strengthen our cause; it will help us raise more funds".

His reaction was typical of the Cancer Institute's ethos from its very inception, fifty-one years ago. We have never regarded ourselves as individuals, only as members of a mission of service, transcending geography, race and religion. Honors, successes and failures concern us only to the extent that they are likely to affect our mission.

The Cancer Institute, in our perception, is not confined to the four walls of a building or a few acres of land. It reaches out to wherever a cancer patient or family needs our help.

Our greatest reward is to bring a smile on the face of suffering, cure where possible, relief always.

To us, the award is far more than a personal distinction. Its spiritual value and moral strength exceed all else.

God bless you all.

Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Tranquility & peace unto all beings.