Society
Of The Divine Word

The announcement was made on 31 August during a global online event inaugurating the 67th Ramon Magsaysay Awards Festival Season.

A Mission of Compassion and Dignity

Affectionately known as “Father Flavie,” Fr. Villanueva received this honor in recognition of his unwavering mission to restore dignity to the poor, homeless, and oppressed in Metro Manila. 

In 2015, he founded the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center, named after the SVD’s founder, creating a sanctuary that offers not only food, shelter, clothing, and hygiene services—but also holistic support, spiritual accompaniment, and a sense of belonging for those marginalized by society.

During the Philippines’ brutal “war on drugs,” which claimed thousands of lives, Fr. Villanueva stood as a steadfast advocate for victims and their families. Unfazed by threats and even dismissed sedition charges in 2023, he organized dignified exhumations, cremations, and memorial services. 

He also built the Dambana ng Paghilom (Shrine of Healing), the nation’s first memorial columbarium, offering a place of remembrance, healing, and solidarity to widows and orphans of the drug war.

The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation praised him for “upholding the dignity of the poor and the oppressed, daily proving with unwavering faith that by serving the least of their brethren, all are restored.” 

In his acceptance, Fr. Villanueva dedicated the award to the homeless, the widows, and the orphans of the drug war—calling them “Witnesses of the Light” and urging society to stand with those rising from the ashes of injustice.

Asia’s Premier Honor and SVD Witness

Held annually on 31 August—President Ramon Magsaysay’s birthday—the Ramon Magsaysay Award honors individuals and organizations across Asia who demonstrate true greatness of spirit through selfless service. 

Each award carries a medallion, certificate, and cash prize, with the formal presentation set for 7 November 2025 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Manila.

Also part of the 2025 cohort are Educate Girls Globally from India—an NGO empowering millions of girls with access to education—and Shaahina Ali from the Maldives, recognized for spearheading environmental conservation and marine protection efforts.

This recognition comes at a meaningful moment for the SVD, which proudly marks its 150th Jubilee Year. Fr. Villanueva’s award stands as a luminous testament to the SVD’s missionary identity: to walk faithfully with the poor, to challenge injustice, and to bear Christ’s healing presence to the broken and the excluded.