Labayen Prize awarded to Cardinal Quevedo: a “man of peace” for a “Church of the poor”
The Metro Infanta Foundation has awarded the 2026 prize to the Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato. The first cardinal from Mindanao, he is known for promoting dialogue between Christians, Muslims and the Lumad. A leader who embodies the vision of a humble Church, attentive to human rights and close to marginalised communities, following in the footsteps of Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen, who was born exactly a hundred years ago.
Manila (AsiaNews) - The Metro Infanta Foundation – which promotes unity and solidarity through education in the Philippines – has chosen Cardinal Orlando Beltran Quevedo, 87, Archbishop Emeritus of Cotabato, as the winner of the 2026 Award in memory of Bishop Julio Xavier Labayen (1926-2016).
The announcement, shared on 3 May, comes on the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Bishop Julio X. Labayen, and just a few days before the tenth anniversary of his death. Bishop Labayen was born in 1926 into a family of landowners in Talisay, in the province of Negros Occidental, and died on 27 April 2016.
The award honours leaders whose lives reflect Bishop Labayen’s prophetic vision of the Church of the poor: a humble, service-oriented, participatory, courageous Church deeply committed to justice, peace and human dignity, rooted in the Gospel.
Cardinal Quevedo made history in 2014 by becoming the first cardinal from Mindanao, in the southern Philippines. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly to foster coexistence among the three main ethnic groups on the island: Christians, Muslims and the Lumad. From his early days as Bishop of Kidapawan, through to the co-founding of the Bishops-Ulama Conference in 1996, he was committed to building relationships based on dialogue, mutual respect and solidarity, helping to strengthen ties between Mindanao’s diverse religious communities.
Quevedo’s life and ministry have long reflected the same vision as Labayen’s. As a pastor of Mindanao and a respected voice for peace, he has helped the Church to stand alongside communities wounded by conflict, poverty, displacement and division. He has demonstrated that peace is not merely the absence of violence: it is built through dialogue, justice, reconciliation, respect for human dignity and the patient accompaniment of communities of different faiths. For decades, Quevedo, also known as the “man of peace”, has promoted harmony, working for the poor of Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippine archipelago.
“In paying tribute to Cardinal Quevedo, we also pay tribute to the legacy that Bishop Labayen continues to leave us,” stated the Metro Infanta Foundation in a message. “Both these shepherds remind us that the Church must not remain distant from the sufferings of the people. The Church must walk with them, listen to them, defend their dignity and help build communities of hope.” Furthermore: “On this centenary of Bishop Labayen’s birth, may this award renew our commitment to responsible stewardship and peace.”
The Bishop Julio X. Labayen Memorial Award was established in 2021 by the Metro Infanta Foundation to honour leaders who embody the legacy of Bishop Labayen, the first Filipino Carmelite bishop. It recognises service to the poor, prophetic courage and social responsibility, celebrating a “Church of the poor”.
Bishop Labayen witnessed the hardships of workers on sugar plantations during his youth. Later, as a priest and bishop, he was inspired by the social teaching of the Church, particularly the preferential love for the poor. He lived the spirit of evangelical poverty, as a bishop of the poor and a good shepherd, in true solidarity with his flock.
The prelate’s lifelong commitment as an architect of the “Church of the poor” took the form of particular attention and special love for poor communities, for the victims of injustice and for those whose dignity and rights are trampled upon. He fought for human rights, supporting grassroots organisations, particularly those of peasants and indigenous peoples.
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