WHAT DOES GUSI STANDS FOR?

“GUSI” is a Filipino word, the Tagalog term for the ‘antique jar of treasures’ used by our forefathers long, long ago.

Ambassador Barry Gusi, as founder and chairman of the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation (GPPF), simply lives up to the meaning of his family name. He holds a legendary ‘pot of gold” , referring to rewards for outstanding contributions to world peace. A humanitarian himself, Gusi owns the so-called “jar of treasures” that is brimming with rewards for deserving Gusi Peace Prize awardees.

According to Amb. Gusi, also contained among the “treasures” in the jar are the four ideals or values necessary for uplifting the quality of life of humanity, tantamount to achieving global harmony.

These four ideals are what GUSI stands for: G as in Godliness. U as in Unification. S as in Service. I as in Internationalism.

Year after year, in choosing awardees around the world, these four ideals are the same values that the GPPF is looking for in every individual or group nominated for the Gusi Peace Prize.

Here, the GPPF Chairman expounds on each of the ideals that GUSI stands for:

GODLINESS:

“When people put God at the center of their lives, there’ll be peace, since God is love, the unconditional love that brings real peace. Among us humans, peace should start from within, since we can give only what we have. Therefore, we start making peace within ourselves, then we inspire our families with our own example, then we spread the spirit of peace to our community, then to our nation, and ultimately to the whole world.”

UNIFICATION:

“Through my stewardship of the Gusi peace Prize, I have gathered people from all walks of life, from all over the world. I serve as the moving force that link all of mankind, despite their differences in color or race, faith or religion, cultural background, and field of endeavor. If only all of us would work for the common good, there’ll be unity in diversity.”

SERVICE:

“Divinely-inspired by the Bible’s Parable of the talents, I believe that we are all accountable to our Creator as to how we use our God-given talents. Actually, we are here on Earth to serve God’s purpose in creating us all: that is, TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER. In the process, we are already serving God according to His will. Jesus Christ Himself had demonstrated this kind ofservice when he washed the feet of his apostles on the night before His crucifixion. If we want to lead, we should know how to serve; and true service should come from the heart, expecting nothing in return.”

INTERNATIONALISM:

“Through the Gusi Peace Prize, I am paving the way to bring the Philippines into the international scenario. But this time definitely with a positive image, far from what Filipinos have been known to be – as mere laborers, domestic helpers, prostitutes, terrorists, and lately, doctors working as nurses abroad. I want the Filipino to soar with dignity. He must be a cosmopolitan, capable of meeting the challenges of global change.

We should become international citizens of the Third Millennium, helping one another to achieve world peace. Although the Gusi Peace Prize is honoring peace-loving endeavors worldwide, I have chosen my homeland, the Philippines, to be the home of Gusi Peace Prize. I want to show the whole world that the Philippines is a peaceful tourist as well as business destination. Though referred to as a third world country, it is however rich in natural resources and unique cultural traditions, the most endearing of which is our Filipino hospitality.” (Because of this internationalism ideal long been personified by Amb. Gusi, he earned the title “Internationalist’ by the International press Society in Paris, France in the Year 2000. The French awarding body had recognized his advocacy for the equality of human rights, to uplift the lot of Filipinos and other Asians working abroad but who were abused, deprived and humiliated.)