Filipino priest Flaviano Antonio L. Villanueva, known for his tireless work defending human rights and victims of the war on drugs, has been awarded the 2025 Ramon Magsaysay Prize, considered Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize. Father Villanueva, a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD), has been a vocal critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which led to the deaths of up to 30,000 people, according to human rights groups.
Father Villanueva’s journey to becoming a priest was marked by a profound conversion. He admitted to being a drug user from age 14 until 1995, but after finding solace in his faith, he became a lay missionary and eventually entered the seminary. In 2006, he was ordained as a priest and went on to found the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Center in Manila, which provides food, clothing, shelter, and spiritual guidance to the homeless ².
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation recognized Father Villanueva’s “lifelong mission to uphold the dignity of the poor and the oppressed, daily proving with unwavering faith that by serving the least of their brethren, all are restored.” This award is a testament to his dedication to serving the marginalized and advocating for human rights. Father Villanueva will receive the award on November 7, 2025, at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila, alongside other awardees, including the Indian NGO Educate Girls and Maldivian environmentalist Shaahina Ali.
Father Villanueva’s work has had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of people in metropolitan Manila. His advocacy for human rights and dignity has inspired many, and his recognition as a Ramon Magsaysay Awardee highlights the importance of selfless service and transformative leadership in Asia. As Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, president of the Philippine Bishops’ Conference, noted, “His witness embodies the spirit of the Church’s social doctrine and the evangelical call to defend the sacredness of life”.