Fr. Shay Cullen, an Irish priest and founder of the Preda Foundation in 1974, has devoted his life to protecting vulnerable children in the Philippines. Assigned to Olongapo City in 1969, he witnessed the struggles of at-risk youth and worked to rescue and rehabilitate them. He established therapeutic homes where abused children could heal and pioneered innovative therapies to help them recover from trauma. Over the years, Father Shay’s work has led to the rescue of thousands of children and the conviction of numerous abusers, making a lasting impact on child protection in the country.

Beyond his advocacy for children, Father Shay has championed sustainable development through the Preda Fair Trade program. By supporting farmers with fair prices for their produce, he has helped reduce poverty and provided families with alternatives to exploitative practices. His tireless efforts have inspired stronger child protection laws, both locally and internationally, and earned him multiple human rights awards and Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Today, Father Shay continues to write, advocate, and serve as a beacon of hope for children in need.