Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

Oposa spent his teenage years in his grandfather’s seaside farm, relishing in the splendor of Bantayan Island in Cebu. It was here where he grew the passion to preserve the environment. Thus it is no surprise that the environment will turn out to be the center of Antonio’s professional life. Oposa earned a master’s degree in environmental law from Harvard Law School and declared from then on that his clients "will be the land, the air and the waters." Bantayan Island remains to play a major role in Oposa’s career as it is here where he set up his base and organized the Law of Nature Foundation, a network of volunteer citizens engaged in monitoring coral reef sites, building marine sanctuaries and helping local governments in drafting environmental legislation. Oposa also coordinated with law enforcement bodies to bring to justice environmental crime syndicates behind dynamite fishing and is also active in training people in environmental awareness and sustainable living.

Antonio was recently recognized by the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation for his unwavering commitment for the preservation of the environment. He, along with five others, are this year’s recipients of the Magsaysay Award program, Asia’s equivalent of the Noble Peace Prize, which had its awarding ceremonies at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) last August 31 in Manila. Other recipients were Krisana Kraisintu of Thailand, Deep Joshi of India, Yu Xiaogang of China, Ma Jun of China, and Ka Hsaw Wa of Myanmar, also known as Burma. All of them, who join 271 other laureates from previous years, have been motivated by their love for the environment, their love for humanity and their passion for truth, justice and peace.The Ramon Magsaysay Award was created in 1957, the same year the Philippines lost a dear President to a plane crash. Magsaysay was well-loved for his simplicity and humility and his dedication to the causes of the masses.