Nick Deocampo and Guillermo Gómez Rivera, both native of Iloilo, bagged the 2023 Premio Casa Asia at a ceremony held at the Barcelona City Council on 21 April 2023.

Nick Deocampo, academician and multi-awarded filmmaker and historian, was recognized for his contribution to the knowledge of Philippine cinema and the recovery of classic Philippine cinema, as well as for his commitment to films as a tool for change and social progress. 

Guillermo Gómez Rivera, writer, historian and director of the Philippine Language Academy, was credited for his promotion of the Spanish language and Hispanic cultures in the Philippines.

Other awardees include Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad in the Diversity and Sustainable Development category for her journalistic activity denouncing abuses of power in Iran, and for serving as a speaker in exile for Iranian women against the compulsory use of “hijab”; Chinese businesswoman Margaret Chen in the Economy and Business category for her contribution to the rapprochement between China and Spain in the field of business innovation, particularly in telecommunications and startups; and Asia-Europe Foundation in the Education and Science category for helping promote mutual understanding and collaboration between civil societies in Asia and Europe.

The awarding ceremony was attended by officials from the Spanish Foreign Ministry, the Government of Catalonia, the City Councils of Madrid and Barcelona, media people, and members of the Diplomatic Corps in Madrid and Barcelona. 

Casa Asia is a public diplomacy institution founded in 2001 by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, the Government of Catalonia, and the City Councils of Madrid and Barcelona with the aim of furthering relations between Spain and the Asia-Pacific region. In 2004, Casa Asia set up the Casa Asia Award to give recognition to the work of individuals and organizations, both public and private, in their respective fields of activity and in helping promote relations between Spain and countries in the Asia-Pacific region. END