The Joaquin "Chino" P. Roces Foundation was founded on December 10, 1988. It was established to promote freedom and active citizenship which were the two causes Don Chino fought during his lifetime. The foundation's "centerpiece undertaking" was the annual 'Ang Pilipino Awards'established in 1989. Its aim is to give recognition to outstanding achievements in public service, community work and journalism. The award's title was later on refocused and changed into the 'Chino Roces Freedom Award'. It was reprogrammed "to commemorate the legacy of the great Don Chino and to honor citizens who, like him, have risen valiantly to the challenge of freedom". The launching of the Freedom Award was in 2000 where two special awards - The Chino Roces Millennium Freedom Award and A Chino Roces Special Freedom Citation served as preludes.

Joaquin "Chino" Roces y Pardo

Born on June 29, 1913, Chino was the youngest of the nine children of Don Alejandro Roces and Antonia Pardo.

He was the publisher of the Manila Times during it's golden years. He was jailed during Martial Law for standing up against the suppression of Press Freedom.

The Chino Roces Freedom Award
27 August 2001

Chino Roces Millennium Freedom Award

(Read on the criteria and categories)