The Honourable Barry Gusi
HISTORY OF THE GUSI PEACE PRIZE
The Gusi Peace Prize is a charitable foundation, an institution based in Manila, Philippines, registered at the Security and Exchange Commission, whose main objective is to give proper recognition through the conferment of awards of excellence and distinction to individuals or groups worldwide who have distinguished themselves as brilliant exemplars of society or who contributed toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity. The Gusi Peace Prize traces its roots through the efforts of Capt. Gemeniano Javier Gusi, a World War II guerilla who fought against Japanese oppression, turned politician, and became popular for his fight for human rights. He was being supported in his endeavor by his loving wife, Madame Teodora Sotejo Gusi, who performed various charity works, helping mothers and abused children and wives, the sick and the unemployed, the poor, deprived and humiliated individuals in society throughout the Philippines. A few years before Madame Teodora Sotejo Gusi expired, she knew that their son, The Honorable Barry Gusi, a renowned internationalist, would be the right one to take over what her husband had started, thereby creating the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation where Manila, Philippines is the home.
On March 17, 2008, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Presidential Proclamation No. 1476, declaring every fourth Wednesday of November as the “GUSI PEACE PRIZE INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY”. This awe-inspiring institution has become the pride of the Philippines as it hails from the far east and is now world renown as Asia’s foremost awards giving body and was established through the support of the friends of the Gusi family, who share the same mission and vision.
This foundation aims to give honor and awards to distinguished individuals or groups worldwide with commendable contributions to peace and human rights, in scientific discoveries, politics, academe, performing arts, literature, medicine or physiology, journalism, humanities, physics, chemistry, religion, business and philanthropy, economics, internationalism and others. The mission of the Gusi Peace Prize is to champion human rights and maintain governance, democracy, equality, international peace and goodwill. For years, the Gusi Peace Prize helps improve the economic and tourism industry in the country; as it also tirelessly works for people’s amelioration through medical missions, outreach programs, and counseling the deprived, abused, the humiliated and the sick, with considerable assistance from the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes, and other non-government organizations. Today, the Gusi Peace Prize envisions itself to approximate the honor and respect accorded to the Nobel Peace Prize of Norway, and the Pulitzer of the United States of America. The Gusi Peace Prize will continue to recognize, honor and give pride and dignity to every deserving achiever and peacemaker worldwide.
MISSION AND VISION
Vision: “A world of peace and prosperity due to the Gusi Peace Prize ideals (Godliness, Unification, Service, Internationalism) totally embraced by all nations”. Mission: “To honor the individuals and organizations who have given exemplary contributions to global peace and progress, through world brotherhood and by using their God-given talents for the benefit of mankind”.
WHAT GUSI STAND FOR
GUSI is a Filipino word, the Tagalog term for the ‘antique jar of treasures’ used by our forefathers long ago. As chairman of the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation “GPPF”, Ambassador Barry Gusi simply lives up to the meaning of his family name. He holds a legendary “pot of gold”, referring to rewards for outstanding contributions to world peace. A humanitarian himself, Gusi owns the so-called “jar of treasures” brimming with rewards for deserving Gusi Peace Prize awardees. According to Ambassador Gusi, among the treasures contained in the jar are the four ideals or values necessary for uplifting the quality of life of humanity, tantamount to achieving global harmony. These four ideals are what GUSI stands for: G as in Godliness, U as in unification, S as in Service, and I as in Internationalism. Year after year, in choosing awardees around the world, these four ideals are the same values that the GPPF is looking for in every individual or group nominated for the Gusi Peace Prize.
GODLINESS
“When people put God in the center of their lives, there will be peace, since God is Love, the unconditional love that brings real peace. Among us humans, peace should start from within, since we can give only what we have. Therefore, we start making peace within ourselves, then we inspire our families with our own example, then we spread the spirit of peace to our community, then to our nation, and ultimately to the whole world.”
UNIFICATION
“Through my stewardship of the Gusi Peace Prize, I have gathered people from all walks of life, from all over the world. I serve as the moving force that links all of mankind, despite their differences in color or race, faith or religion, cultural background, field of endeavor. If only all of us would work for the common good, there will be unity in diversity.” SERVICE: “Divinely inspired by the Bible’s Parable of the Talents, I believe that we are all accountable to our Creator as to how we use our God-given talents. Actually, we are here on earth to serve God’s purpose — to serve one another. In the process, we are already serving God according to his will. Jesus Christ himself had demonstrated this kind of service when He washed the feet of His apostles on the night before his crucifixion. If we want to lead, we should know how to serve; and true service should come from the heart expecting nothing in return.”