RMAF President Carmencita T. Abella announces the eight (8) 2008 Ramon Magsaysay Awardees which include the Center for Agriculture and Rural Development Mutually Reinforcing Institution (CARD MRI) from San Pablo City, Laguna for Public Service. CARD MRI, being represented by its founding chairman, Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip , are being honored for their successful adaption of microfinance in the Philippines, providing self-sustaining and comprehensive services for half a million poor women and their families. Other awardees are Governor Grace Padaca of Isabela, Philippines, for Government Service; Therdchai Jivacate of Thailand for Public Service; Prakash Amte and Mandakini Amte from India for Community Leadership; Ananda Galappatti from Sri Lanka for Emergent Leadership; Akio Ishii from Japan for Journalism, Literature, and Creative Communication Arts; and Ahmad Syafii Maarif from Indonesia for Peace and International Understanding . As