PGMA Confers Gusi Peace Prize 2006 on Greek Plastic Surgeon - 2006.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred last night the 2006 Gusi Peace Prize on 15 distinguished men and women worldwide who have contributed toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity. The President, assisted by Gusi Peace Prize (GPP) president Manuel Morato and GPP chairman Barry Gusi, presented the plaques of recognition during the awarding rites held at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City.

Four of the awardees are Filipinos -- former President Fidel V. Ramos for Statesmanship; Rev. Fr. Corsie Legaspi (Divine Healing and Services for the Sick and Needy); Carlo Caparas (Cinematic Excellence); and Filipino-American Dr. Felipe Tolentino (Medicine-Opthalmology). Other awardees were Guam Gov. Carl Gutierrez (Public Service); Greek surgeon Dr. Ioannis Lyras (Plastic Surgery); Indian lawyer Justice Ram Jethmalani (Social Justice and Humanitarian Law); South Korean monk Master Bup Kwan (Humanitarianism); Indonesian Ambassador Tarmizi Taher (Religious Affairs and Humanitarianism); Malaysian entrepreneur Hadji Ismail Bin Mohamad (Philanthropy); Hong Kong Dr. Leung Ping Chung (Medicine and Academe); Russian pianist Katya Grineva (Performing Arts); New Zealand bungee jumper Alan John Hackett (Sports); Chinese artist Madam Wang Zushi (Cultural Heritage); and Quan Yin Method Supreme Master Ching Hai of the United Kingdom of Great Britain-Vietnam (Philanthropy and Humanitarianism).

Based in the Philippines, the Gusi Peace Prize is a charitable foundation which recognizes groups or individuals who have worked with excellence and distinction in the service of humanity. It was founded by the late Capt. Gemeniano Javier Gusi, a World War II guerrilla leader-turned- politician who became popular for his fight for human rights. The GPP also conducts medical missions and outreach programs with the support of the Philippine Medical Association, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and other government and non-government organizations.