The Royal Maharlika, a non-profit organization based in USA with branches in the Philippines and Europe recently held an extension of its 2nd Royal Maharlika Awards last January 14, 2023 at Apo View Hotel in Davao city during the enthronement of HRH Mariam Leonora Torres, the Queen of Maharlika International and Princess of Calabarzon.
“Our aim is to unite all the Kingdoms and Tribes of the world towards peace and developments, to advocate the rights of the indigenous groups and the cultural minorities and be the voice of freedom and sustainable green environment to the United Nations. Thus, we honor those who individuals or groups who possess greatness and excellence in the fields of philanthropy, science, arts, business and diplomacy through the Royal Maharlika Awards,” says the founder and chairman of the Royal Maharlika and We Care for Humanity.
One of the major award titles of the said award- the ROYAL MAN OF ASIA, was bestowed to the reigning 25th Sultan of Magindanao Mandanue Darussalam also hailed as the Supreme Sultan of Mindanao, His Majesty Sultan Salem Abdulaziz Guiwan Mastura Kudarat V, the 5th descendant of Sultan Muhammad Dipatuan Kudarat who ruled Magindanaw from 1619 to 1671 and was declared by the late president Ferdinand E. Marcos as a national hero and the most powerful ruler of Mindanao during his time.
Sultan Salem, being a direct descendant of the Kudarat clan inherited the biggest role of his life as the head of the Sultanate of Magindanaw (Mindanao) Mandanaue Darussalam with independent sovereignty covering almost the whole Mindanao state and some parts of Luzon and Visayas regions. He is the son of the late Sultan Abdulaziz Guiwan Mastura Kudarat IV, a powerful leader in Mindanao, former Governor and twice Mayor of Lebak and Palimbang.
Salem is a highly respected Sultan, loved by so many for his dedication and advocacy in peace, preservation of culture and economic development. He graduated with degrees in Bachelor of Arts in Far Eastern University and Bachelor of Law in Notre Dame University, Mindanao and actively promoting the mission and vision of the Sultanate as well as the Sultan Kudarat Descendants Organization of the Philippines (SKDOP), Inc., a non-profit organization established to execute the humanitarian goals of the Sultanate. “Our aim is to restore peace and order, eradicate poverty and promote the culture of Mindanao”, proudly said by Sultan Salem in his acceptance speech.
The Royal Maharlika also extended its philanthropic awards, to SKDOP as ROYAL ORGANIZATION OF ASIA received by HRH Datu Zukarnaine Mastura (brother of Sultan Salem), to the Royal Ladies as ROYAL WOMEN EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR received by HRH Princess Febraida Mastura Matalam, the Royal Princess of Magindanaw, HRH Princess Harjida Mastura Karon (Bailaga sa Magindanaw) and HRH Princess Jasma mastura Karon (Rajabai sa Magindanaw), and lastly the Sultan Kudarat Youth Descendants Organization (SKYDOP), Inc. as ROYAL YOUTH ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR received by Camarod Mastura (son of Sultan Salem). The awards were confirmed and signed by the 3rd President of Croatia, H.E. Ivo Josipovich and the former President of Ecuador, H.E. Rosalia Arteaga.
Sultan Salem Mastura Kudarat V, is expected to propagate the realm of the Sultanate not only locally but internationally with the help of his brother, HRH Datu Muamar Mastura Kudarat, the Crown Prince of the Sultanate of Magindanaw and Tarsila Bearer of Magindanaw, His Majesty’s Cabinet members, the Royal Ladies of Magindanaw and the Queen of Maharlika International and Princess of Calabarzon, Maria Leonora Amor Torres.