(This acceptance speech was given by esteemed business leader and former ambassador to the Holy See, Howard Dee, as he received the Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Award on August 20, 2024, the eve of the 41st anniversary of the assassination of Ninoy Aquino. Ambassador Dee passed away August 21, 2024, at 93, shortly after this delivery. We are sharing here with the readers a Filipino man’s contribution to the alleviation of poverty and how he used his status to help make a difference in Philippine society.)
Good evening, everyone!
I am happy to be here; I see many friendly and familiar faces. I am honored by your presence tonight.
My sincerest gratitude to the sponsors of tonight’s event: the Asian Institute of Management Ramon V. del Rosario Center for Corporate Responsibility; Junior Chamber International Manila with President Charles Gosingtian; and the PHINMA Group of Companies chaired by Ramon V. del Rosario Jr.; for the honor of receiving the Ramon V. del Rosario, Sr. Award for Nation Building; and of course, the Board of Judges headed by Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, with its roster of top business executives. Thank you all!
Modesty aside, I have received many awards named after our national heroes: The Jose Rizal Peace Award. The Marcelo del Pilar Award for Public Service, the Quezon Peace Award, and the Ramon Magsaysay Laureat Award. But I never had the opportunity to meet any of these heroes. But tonight is different: not only have I met Monching del Rosario; he was my idol and my hero. I was a young fledging businessman managing a start-up pharmaceutical company and he was the quintessential business executive I wanted to emulate: engaging, articulate, inspiring. When he passed away, I went to the LaSalle chapel to pay my respects to his widow. When she saw me so disconsolate, she advised me to just pray to Monching and he will continue to guide you from heaven. You could say I have an unfair advantage in being chosen to receive his Award tonight.
Receiving this award is meaningful to me. At 93 years old, I feel a profound sense of peace in my heart, knowing that I will soon have to give an account of my life. Tonight, I am reminded that the humbling gift of life God has given me has served Him and His people well, in my simple ways.
I say “simple” because the hard work that went to everything I have achieved in my personal and professional endeavors was the result of many people’s efforts. It was not a journey undertaken simply by me alone.
I thank especially my wife Betty, my children Angie, Richard and Viel, Michele and Marybeth, my grandchildren, represented by Sean and Teresa Anthony and Professor Francis Kiko Dee, and my co-workers at ASA Philippines Foundation for their sacrifices and hard work in making ASA what it is today. With us tonight is our Chairman of the Board Joey Cuisia, Trustees Richard Dee and Esther Santos, our new President Richard Smith and his wife, Sasa. Likewise, with the Assisi Development Foundation which will celebrate its 50th year of serving the poor in 2025. With us are our President Ben Abadiano, Trustees Professor Emmanuel de Dios, Ernesto Garilao, Viel Aquino Dee and Angie Dee, my staff, Vicky Borres and Joshua Mahinay and my, nurse Nestle Almario.
I especially share this recognition with our team of 12,000 employees that has propelled ASA to become the largest microfinance institution in the Philippines. I thank especially our field officers who build genuine relationships with communities and often risk their lives to ensure the safety of our clients’ hard-earned money, and our clients themselves, our Nanays, upon whose labor all of ASA’s successes since its inception in 2004 are built.
Through ASA alone, 2.2 million poor families have been reached, assisted, and empowered over the past 20 years
Microfinance is a powerful tool for alleviating poverty among Filipino families. Through ASA alone, 2.2 million poor families have been reached, assisted, and empowered over the past 20 years.
I admit, much still needs to be done. Today, many Filipino families continue to live in extreme poverty.
The Social Weather Stations show a grim picture in their latest survey this past month. Fifty Eight percent (58%) of Filipinos say that they are poor, Thirty percent (30%) say that they are not poor, and Twelve percent (12%) say that they are borderline poor. The Government has also released its latest figures on Poverty by the Philippine Statistical Authority painting a brighter picture showing that only thirty percent of Filipinos live below the poverty threshold, whereas the SWS surveys, 58 percent of Filipino families say they are poor.
This stark reality underscores that the war on poverty is far from over.
And so, as we celebrate tonight this milestone in our journey, tomorrow we will continue to challenge ourselves to serve and empower the many Filipinos who remain poor and are in need of our help.
My friends, as much as this recognition fills me with joy tonight, being in my twilight years, I see this as an opportunity as well for self-reflection. I ask myself, with all the blessings and gifts I have been given, “Have I done enough?” “What more can I do?” Alone, not much. But together, with all the awardees of the Ramon V. del Rosario Award for Nation Building, we can collaborate to adopt the United Nations’ goal of eradicating extreme poverty for all Filipinos, by 2030. Extreme poverty as defined by the UN, is a per capita income of $1,90 a day or P110 a day. To be out of extreme poverty, a family of five will require an income of P550 a day, P16,500 a month. These figures are attainable, especially in the labor sector. The problem would be in the agricultural sector, with farmers and fisherfolk and especially with the indigenous people, the poorest of the poor. I will just leave the decision to the Ramon del Rosario Center whether it wants to undertake such a joint project. By working together and complementing each other’s strengths and resources, we can achieve our shared vision of a better Philippines for all.
As I was writing this speech, I received a message from Richard Smith, our ASA President, on behalf of our ASA Board headed by Ambassador Joey Cuisia, informing me that the ASA Board of Trustees has approved a resolution increasing our budget for the Board Committee on Poverty Alleviation to one billion pesos a year starting 2025. This is our ASA Poverty Alleviation pledge. In closing, I wish to dedicate my Award to my balae, Ninoy Aquino who is celebrating his feast day tomorrow, August 21.
Thank you and good night.
