(Eagle News) — Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao is set to receive today, Oct. 13, the prestigious 2015 Asia Game Changer of the Year 2015 in New York, USA.
He depared for the US Sunday night, October 11, to receive the honor, following Asia Society’s earlier announcement of the 2015 Asia Game Changers. He follows in the footsteps of Alibaba CEO Jack Ma, who took the honor in 2014.
“The Asia Game Changer Award recognizes those making a transformative and positive difference for the future of Asia and the world. This prestigious award recognizes extraordinary global game-changers with a widespread influence” said Asia Society Philippines Executive Director Suyin Liu Lee during the press conference held before Pacquiao’s departure for New York.
“Asia Society recognizes Manny Pacquiao as a major humanitarian force, directing his philanthropy toward numerous causes, including education and the fight against human trafficking. He is a remarkable inspiration and demonstrates the power of giving back to transform people’s lives,” Lee said.
Pacquiao said he was deeply honored to be recognized as “Asia Game Changer of the Year for 2015” by the Asia Society.
“I am but a man blessed by God who has answered his call to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Pacquiao said that aside from his various roles – as a boxer, politician, and celebrity – he also wanted to hold responsibilities to inspire his fellow Filipinos, assist in meeting their needs, and championing various causes and issues.
“I started out simply wanting to be a winner. Never in my wildest dream did I think I’d be considered a Game Changer,” he said.
Pacquiao and the other honorees will attend the Asia Game Changer Awards Dinner and Celebration at the United Nations on October 13, 2015. Pacquiao will also address the gathering. Among the Asia Society trustees presenting the awards will be Citi CEO, Global Consumer Banking Stephen Bird; renowned opera singer Renee Fleming; PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra K. Nooyi; veteran broadcaster Charlie Rose; former Australian Prime Minister and President of the Asia Society Policy Institute Kevin Rudd; and Asia Society Co-Chairs Ronnie C. Chan and Henrietta H. Fore. The evening will also feature a special live performance by global music movement Playing For Change, recipient of an 2014 Asia Game Changer award.
Honorees are selected through a global survey of more than 1,000 thought leaders. The 2015 awardees are:
Asia Game Changer of the Year: Manny Pacquiao (The Philippines)
Humanitarian, world-famous boxing champion, and member of the Philippines House of Representatives For using his sport, and his star power, as sources for good
Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura (Japan)
2014 Nobel Laureates in Physics and inventors of a new energy-efficient light source — the blue LED For lighting our world in a groundbreaking and sustainable way
Chanda Kochhar (India)
CEO of ICICI Bank and the first woman to head an Indian bank
For breaking the glass ceiling, transforming an industry, and empowering the masses
Lei Jun (China)
Founder & CEO of Xiaomi, China’s leading smartphone vendor For changing the game of communication in China and beyond
Li Cunxin (Australia/China)
Artistic Director of the Queensland Ballet, known as “Mao’s Last Dancer” For his art, his courage, and his cultural diplomacy
Aasif Mandvi (United States/India)
Comedian, activist and powerful spokesperson for Muslims and Asian Americans For using comedy to challenge perceptions, and work for good
Mariam al-Mansouri (United Arab Emirates)
Fighter pilot, UAE Air Force and role model for women throughout the Arab world For battling stereotypes, and terror, from the air
Kiran Bir Sethi (India)
Founder, Design for Change and The Riverside School, and champion of youth volunteerism For empowering children to change the world
In 2014, in addition to Jack Ma and Playing for Change, other Asia Game Changers were Japanese architect Shigeru Ban; Pratham co-founder and CEO Madhav Chavan; MyShelter Foundation and Liter of Light founder lilac Diaz; the charitable organization Fashion Girls for Humanity; former Indonesian Minister and disaster relief specialist Kuntoro Mangkusubroto; MOBY Group chairman Saad Mohseni; Acumen CEO Jacqueline Novogratz; Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy; groundbreaking neuroscientist Pawan Sinha; education activist Malala Yousafzai; and Chinese education reformer Zhang Minxuan.
More information about the 2015 awardees, including bios, and the October 13 event is available atAsiaSociety.org/GameChangers.
Asia Society said it is pleased to have Citi as the underwriting partner and Philippine Airlines as its Asia Game Changer Award Sponsor for the 2015 Asia Game Changer Awards and Dinner.