Ambassador Howard Q. Dee, a distinguished Filipino businessman, philanthropist, and former diplomat, is the esteemed recipient of the 2024 RVR Award for Nation Building. His life’s work has been a testament to his unwavering dedication to serving the Filipino people and promoting social justice, peace, and the rights of indigenous communities.

 

Born in Manila, Philippines, Dee was raised in a family that instilled the values of service and compassion. Growing up in his father’s lumberyard in Tondo, he pursued business administration at the University of the East, where he also began a master’s degree. He joined Unilab before completing his thesis. The company was a then-startup company pioneering local pharmaceutical manufacturing in 1953.

 

Ambassador Dee’s career is marked by significant contributions in both public service and the private sector. 

 

In 1975, Dee founded the Assisi Development Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to implementing social development projects across the Philippines. Under his visionary leadership, the foundation has executed over 4,100 projects, positively impacting the lives of more than 10.5 million Filipinos. These initiatives span various areas, including education, healthcare, livelihood programs, and disaster relief efforts.

 

Following the EDSA Revolution, Dee emerged as the natural choice to initiate peace talks with various dissident groups in the country. At that time, the Philippines was grappling with multiple insurgencies, including military, Muslim, and communist rebellions, resulting in a pervasive lack of peace. Dee proposed a national peace conference that would involve all sectors of society, including Muslim separatists and communists, to address these conflicts. 

 

From 1986 to 1990, he served as the Philippine ambassador to the Holy See and Malta, working tirelessly to strengthen the country's diplomatic relations.

 

In 1992, under President Ramos, Dee joined the National Unification Commission, the precursor to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, led by Haydee Yorac. Dee and his team traveled to every region of the country to understand the root causes of the conflicts. 

 

Contrary to his initial belief that poverty and lack of opportunities were the primary drivers, they found that the people were fighting due to widespread injustice—economic, social, cultural, and judicial. This realization underscored that true and lasting peace is inextricably linked to justice, aligning with President Corazon Aquino's declaration of the Decade for Peace, which emphasized the pursuit of development with justice.

Awards and Recognitions

 

Throughout his illustrious career, Ambassador Dee has received numerous accolades recognizing his contributions to nation-building and social development. His commitment to his causes has made him a beacon of hope and an exemplar of effective and empathetic leadership.

 

Ambassador Howard Q. Dee’s legacy is one of profound impact and lasting change. His vision for a just and equitable society continues to inspire future generations of leaders and philanthropists. He remains a guiding force in the ongoing efforts to address social inequalities and foster a culture of peace and development in the Philippines.