“May every sunrise hold more promise, every moonlight hold more peace.” — Anon

Some people open each day with hope and optimism. Certain remarkable individuals take it even a step further, as they generously spread hope to those around them.

Just like Benjamin Abadiano. A winner of the 2004 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Emergent Leadership, he found his passion in serving Indigenous People (IP). Benjamin lived with the Mangyans of Mindoro for nine years. He helped educate them, encouraged them to appreciate and affirm their native culture, thereby instilling in them a sense of self-dignity.

Primary in his mind was infusing the value of education in order to improve life and safeguard heritage. Benjamin established several learning centers in a number of IP communities in the country. One such school is the Pamulaan Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Education in Mindanao, which helps the youth of IP communities face the world with confidence in themselves, and pride in their preserved traditions. These young students are learning that they can be anything they want to be, achieve anything they want to achieve. More importantly, they see in their mentors the unselfish drive to reach out and touch other people’s lives.

Benjamin’s quest is to make a difference in the world around him, and that eventually changed his life too. “By serving people, your life has become richer because you go beyond yourself. When we serve, it concretizes our faith. To make your life meaningful you also have to reach out to others.”

Great Taste coffee salutes Benjamin Abadiano. His selfless dedication to serve indigenous communities in the Philippines is an inspiration to all of us.

Let each new day open a new horizon … a chance to make a difference in our lives, as well as in the lives of others.