Atty Benedicto R Bacani

Fr William F Masterson SJ Award
For contributions to social development

I stand before you today filled with gratitude, honor and humility as I accept the Fr. William F. Masterson, SJ Award. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Xavier Ateneo community, the board of trustees, and Fr. President Mars Tan, SJ, for this incredible recognition. It is a profound honor to have my life and work associated with the legacy of Fr. Masterson, an exemplary Jesuit and a dedicated champion of social development and justice.I stand before you today filled with gratitude, honor and humility as I accept the Fr. William F. Masterson, SJ Award. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Xavier Ateneo community, the board of trustees, and Fr. President Mars Tan, SJ, for this incredible recognition. It is a profound honor to have my life and work associated with the legacy of Fr. Masterson, an exemplary Jesuit and a dedicated champion of social development and justice.

I am truly humbled to be in the company of past awardees whose remarkable contribution far surpass my own, including distinguished Mindanao peace builders such as Prof. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, the first woman negotiator to sign a major peace agreement, the MILF Chief Negotiator Mohagher Iqbal, and Fr. Eliseo R. Mercado, OMI, my mentor who inspired me to establish the Institute for Autonomy and Governance (IAG) in 2001.

This award belongs not only to me but also to my dedicated colleagues and partners at IAG, who have wholeheartedly embraced my vision and advocacy.

I would like to recognize Ms. Jacqueline Chua-Fernandez, my deputy Executive Director, a pillar of IAG whose steady leadership and judicious management of IAG’s resources since its beginnings have been crucial to our growth and success.

I am grateful to my wife Rowena Rebosa-Bacani and my daughter Hannah Beatriz, who gave their unwavering support and understanding of my choices and endeavors. While they often worry for my safety in the field, they firmly believe that God watches over those who strive to do good for others.

I am especially thrilled to accept this award in the presence of the graduating class of 2025-dynamic young leaders ready to make your mark. By graduating from a Jesuit and Ateneo institution, you have pledged not only to be persons for others but also catalysts for positive change in your communities, country and the world.

A recent survey by the Yusuf Ishak Institute reveals that a large majority of Filipino youth are skeptical or dissatisfied with the country’s political institutions. Only 2 out of 10 young Filipinos have a positive of the current political system. More than 70% of Filipino youth feel that corruption in government is of greatest concern.

 ***Access the full speech here***