Boxing's No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter will be honored as a champion of peace.
Manny Pacquiao has been named a 2009 Gusi Peace Prize laureate, the only athlete in the elite group of 19 awardees from 16 different nations.
Established 22 years ago by Ambassador Barry Gusi and his wife, Dr. Evelyn Gusi, the Gusi Peace Prize is awarded annually to distinguished individuals or groups worldwide with exemplary contributions to peace and human rights representing fields of science, medicine, academe, politics, business, humanities, philanthropy, journalism, religion, international relations and others.
This year's sole honoree from the U.S. will be Congressman Bob Filner, who represents California's 51st congressional district.
The 2009 laureates will be formally recognized at an awards dinner in Manila on November 24.
"I am truly humbled by this incredible honor and I would like to thank the Gusi family and the foundation," said Pacquiao.
"To be included in such a group of accomplished humanitarians is beyond anything I ever dreamed of.
"They are inspirational. The one lesson my countrymen have taught the world during the recent typhoons is never to give up.
"Help each other and rebuild. Nothing is impossible when we work together whether it's curing the sick, feeding the hungry or nourishing the souls and minds with education."
(This article is originally posted at sportinglife.com)
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The Gusi Peace Prize is a Philippines based award recognising individuals working toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity. It has been referred to as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Peace Prize.
The award is given to 10 to 15 people each year, who must attend the awards night dinner to receive it.
The annual Gusi Peace Prize Awards is run by the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation, an organisation based in Manila that performs humanitarian work for poor communities in the Philippine. The foundation was created in 2003 by Barry Gusi to continue the philanthropic work of his parents.
In 2008, the Phillipines government designated the third November of each year 'Gusi Peace Prize International Friendship Day'.
(Source: Wikipedia)
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