WHEREAS, the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation is a duly registered charitable organization which confers the GUSI PEACE PRIZE as awards of excellence and distinction to individuals or groups worldwide who have distinguished themselves as extraordinary exemplars of society in different fields of endeavors in Scientific Discovery, Medicine and Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Literature, Journalism, Academe, Politics, Performing Arts, Philantropy, Economics, Visual Arts, Engineering Technology, Agricultural Industry, Religion, and Internationalism; or those who have outstanding contributions toward the attainment of peace and respect for human life and dignity;

WHEREAS, the Gusi Peace Prize Foundation has Manila for its homebase and its International Friendship Day, as an annual international event in the country, brings people together irregardless of race, religion, culture, beliefs, and tradition fostering friendship, peace and unity among them;

WHEREAS, this international event has contributed to the promotion of peace and goodwill, cultural exchange, economic and tourism industry in the country, as well as, in the international community;

WHEREAS, it is but fitting and proper that this international event be declared as a special day;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby declare the fourth Wednesday of November of every year as "Gusi Peace Prize International Friendship Day".

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

Done in the City of Manila, this 17th day of March, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Eight.


By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary