For immediate release
At a time when societies across Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly diverse and interconnected, individuals and organisations continue to demonstrate that harmony is not merely an aspiration, but something built through everyday leadership, dialogue, and community action.
It is in this spirit that the Harmony in Diversity Award was established, to recognise individuals whose lifelong commitment to fostering social cohesion and harmony serves as an inspiration for communities across Southeast Asia.
Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, O.M.I., Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Harmony in Diversity Award. Presented by Temasek Foundation in collaboration with the 5P Global Movement as the supporting secretariat, the Harmony in Diversity Award recognises individuals in Southeast Asia who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to strengthen harmony among people of different cultures.
As the first Cardinal from Mindanao, Orlando Quevedo is recognised as a unifying figure that consistently champions a “dialogue of life” — the everyday encounters between people of different communities — as a foundation for deepening understanding and fostering peace.
Cardinal Quevedo has advocated for fairness and the promotion of reconciliation and shared progress as essential to peace and sustainable development. In 1996, he helped establish the Bishops-Ulama Conference, bringing together Catholic bishops, Protestant pastors, and Muslim ulama to create an enduring platform for inter-religious cooperation. In public spaces, he advocated for enabling peace legislation, including the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), ensuring it clearly recognised and protected the fundamental rights and freedom of worship of all groups.
This Award was officially launched on 1 August 2025 as a regional initiative to promote understanding and awareness of harmony initiatives, amplify the impact of fostering harmony in the communities in Southeast Asia and build a network of Harmony champions. For its inaugural cycle, the award received more than 70 nominations from across the region, reflecting a profound commitment to bridging divides.
Messages of Support
“As the inaugural recipient, Cardinal Quevedo exemplifies the values this award seeks to recognise. His exceptional leadership in advancing peace and interfaith understanding in Mindanao reminds us that lasting harmony is built through the simple, everyday acts of dialogue, compassion and courage. I warmly congratulate Cardinal Quevedo and hope his example will inspire many others to strengthen harmony across our region.”
Patron, Harmony in Diversity Award · Chancellor, Singapore University of Social Sciences · Former President of Singapore
Mr Ng Boon Heong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Foundation, said:
“Cardinal Quevedo’s work is a powerful reminder that harmony is built patiently through sustained effort. His lifelong commitment towards peaceful coexistence and understanding between people of different cultures embody the values of the Harmony in Diversity Award. Creating and promoting peace is a big undertaking and through this Award, Temasek Foundation hopes to recognise such peacebuilders and share their remarkable stories across the region. This Award is a launching pad to champion for more collective effort to advance Harmony in Diversity across Southeast Asia.”
M. Arsjad Rasjid P.M., Founder of 5P Global Movement, said:
“The Harmony in Diversity Award was established to celebrate individuals whose work reminds us that lasting peace is built through trust, respect, and the courage to bridge differences. Cardinal Quevedo exemplifies these values through his lifelong commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding across communities. His work also reflects the enduring spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika—Unity in Diversity—which reminds us that our differences are not barriers to overcome, but strengths that enrich our shared humanity.”
“5P Global Movement believes that peace, prosperity, people, planet, and partnership are deeply interconnected. Social harmony requires collective action and shared responsibility from communities, industries and even countries. We hope this inaugural award not only recognises Cardinal Quevedo’s extraordinary contribution, but also inspires many more individuals, communities, and institutions across Southeast Asia to continue building bridges and strengthening social cohesion for generations to come.”
Judging Panel
The nominations were reviewed by a distinguished panel of regional leaders consisting of:
- HRH Tunku Tun Aminah, Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Berjaya Corporation Berhad
- M. Retno L.P. Marsudi, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia
- Mayor Joy Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City, Philippines
- Mr Panote Sirivadhanabhakdi, Group CEO, Frasers Property Limited
- Mr Ng Boon Heong, Executive Director and CEO, Temasek Foundation
Following a robust and thoughtful deliberation, the distinguished panel of judges selected Cardinal Orlando B. Quevedo for his lifelong commitment to peacebuilding, interfaith understanding and reconciliation, particularly through his sustained engagement in Mindanao over several decades. The judges noted his leadership in bridging communities across religious and social divides as well as his enduring contribution to advancing recognition and dignity for affected communities.
Statement from the Recipient
“I am deeply honoured by this recognition, which I accept with gratitude on behalf of the many communities, faith leaders, and peacebuilders who have dedicated themselves to the quiet and often unseen work of building peace.”
“Harmony is not the absence of differences. It is our willingness to embrace those differences with respect, compassion, and a genuine desire to understand one another. Our diversity should never be a reason for fear or division; rather, it is a gift that enriches our shared humanity. True harmony is built through everyday relationships—when we choose respect and compassion. Lasting peace grows from these daily encounters between people of different faiths, cultures, and communities. I hope we will continue to walk this journey together, building societies where every person is treated with dignity and where diversity is embraced as a source of strength rather than division.”
Award Ceremony
Cardinal Quevedo will be formally presented with the Harmony in Diversity Award at the inaugural Award Ceremony on 15 July 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. He will receive a trophy symbolising harmony in diversity, and the opportunity to share his work with regional peacebuilders, thought leaders, and representatives from across sectors.
About the Harmony in Diversity Award
The Harmony in Diversity Award is a regional recognition initiative presented by Temasek Foundation in collaboration with the 5P Global Movement as supporting secretariat.
The award recognises individuals who have demonstrated outstanding efforts to foster harmony between people of different cultures in Southeast Asia. By recognising outstanding changemakers, the initiative seeks to inspire greater awareness, elevate stories of hope and bridge-building, and encourage more collective action for harmony throughout the region.
The Harmony in Diversity Award matters because across Southeast Asia, individuals and organisations are demonstrating efforts to foster trust, understanding and harmony within their communities. The Harmony in Diversity Award seeks to recognise these contributions, spotlight meaningful examples of bridge-building, and inspire greater collaboration to strengthen harmony across the region.
About Temasek Foundation
Temasek Foundation supports a diverse range of programmes that uplift lives and communities in Singapore and Asia. Temasek Foundation’s programmes are made possible through philanthropic endowments gifted by Temasek, as well as gifts and other contributions from other donors. These programmes strive to deliver positive outcomes for individuals and communities now, and for generations to come. Collectively, Temasek Foundation’s programmes strengthen social resilience; foster international exchange and catalyse regional capabilities; advance science; and protect the planet. For more information, visit www.temasekfoundation.org.sg.
About 5P Global Movement
The 5P Global Movement is a non-profit organization which promotes harmony in diversity through incorporating the 5P (peace, prosperity, people, planet, partnership) values in all its programmes.
The 5P Global Movement was first introduced during the G20 Religious Forum in 2022 in Bali and was officially launched in Jakarta in September 2023. It has currently active chapters in Indonesia and Poland, and continues to expand globally. The 5P Global Movement is the supporting secretariat of the award.
Learn more about the award and how to participate.