Bai Kasunayan

AN HONOR SHARED, A CALL TO SERVE: RECEIVING THE ‘GRAND WINNER—WOMAN LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD’ AT THE 17TH ASIA CEO AWARDS

By Bai Kasunayan

15.October.2026.

15.October.2026.

Receiving the Grand Winner—Woman Leader of the Year award at the 17th Asia CEO Awards on October 13, 2026, fills me with profound gratitude and humility. This honor belongs, in spirit, to the Filipino farmers, Indigenous Peoples, social entrepreneurs, coffee industry partners, and fellow peacebuilders who have walked alongside me. Their courage, wisdom, and commitment have shaped our shared journey. Through Coffee for Peace, Inc., we strive to make coffee a means of creating sustainable livelihoods, advancing inclusive development, strengthening relationships, and cultivating peace. To my colleagues at Coffee for Peace, Inc., PeaceBuilders Community, Inc., and Malipayon Peace Hub, thank you for your dedication and shared vision. To my children, Lele, LJ, and Byron, and my husband, Lakan, thank you for your enduring love and support. Above all, I thank the Great Creator. May this recognition inspire us to serve with greater humility, compassion, and courage.

I REPRESENTED CFP AT THE FIRST LUMIN-AWA INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2026

By Bai Kasunayan

29.May.2026.

29.May.2026.

It was both an honor and a privilege to serve as one of the plenary speakers during the First Lumin-awa International Multidisciplinary Research Conference (LIMRC) 2026, held on 25–27 May 2026 at the Teatro Kalinga of Kalinga State University in Bulanao, Tabuk City. The conference brought together researchers, educators, practitioners, government leaders, and development partners from across the Philippines and abroad under the theme, “Innovating Justice and Governance: Multidisciplinary Pathways to Equity, Inclusion, and Sustainable Development.” The event was jointly organized by Kalinga State University and the state universities of the Cordillera Administrative Region through a landmark academic partnership that seeks to strengthen research collaboration and social innovation.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION