FIRST RSA FELLOW. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday (Feb. 1, 2023) commends Filipino scientist Glenn Banaguas for being the first science diplomat from the Philippines to become a fellow of the London-based Royal Society of Arts. Marcos said Banaguas' induction proves that Filipinos can excel in their chosen field. (Photo from PBBM's official Facebook page)
MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday congratulated multi-awarded Filipino scientist Glenn Banaguas for being the first science diplomat from the Philippines to become a fellow of London-based Royal Society of Arts (RSA).
Marcos, on his official Facebook page, relayed his congratulatory message to Banaguas.
"Isang pagpupugay sa ating kababayan na si Glenn Banaguas sa pagkakaluklok sa kanya sa prestihiyosong Royal Society of Arts sa United Kingdom (We honor our fellow Filipino, Glenn Banaguas, for being inducted into the prestigious Royal Society of Arts in the United Kingdom)," he said.
Marcos said Banaguas' induction proves that Filipinos can excel in their chosen field.
"Tunay ngang ang galing at talino ng mga Pilipino ay maipagmamalaki saan man sa mundo. Maraming salamat sa kahusayang iyong patuloy na ipinamamalas (Indeed, Filipinos are worthy of commendation wherever they are because of their skills and knowledge. Thanks to Banaguas for his excellence)," he said.
Founded in 1754 by English social reformist and inventor William Shipley, the RSA was granted a Royal Charter in 1847 and the right to use the term Royal in its name by King Edward VII in 1908.
The RSA, also known as the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, has been at the forefront of significant social impact for over 260 years, with a mission to enrich society through ideas and action.
RSA Fellowship is a unique global network of changemakers enabling people, places and the planet to flourish.
Notable RSA fellows include Charles Dickens, George Washington Carver, David Attenborough, Nelson Mandela, Tim Berners-Lee, Karl Marx, Marie Curie, Stephen Hawking and Benjamin Franklin.
Banaguas, a distinguished scientist and science diplomat, is among Asia's leading experts in environment, climate change and disaster risk.
He is the founder and president of the Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute which brings "science and policy" to the poorest communities and marginalized sectors in the Philippines.
He also founded the Climate Smart and Disaster Resilient Philippines, which provides research, training and capacity-building to all stakeholders in the country to combat climate change and disaster risks.
Banaguas also chairs the of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Science Diplomats and the United States (US)-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology.
He also serves as climate diplomat of the European Union-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security. (PNA)
