20 youth groups to compete in the 10th TAYO National Finals

The search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) Year 10 awardees nears completion as 20 finalists, 5 representing each of four regions (NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao), have been selected by the TAYO Awards Foundation at the recently concluded Area Finals to compete in the National Finals in Manila on November 12 to 16. Here, they will compete for the P50,000 project grant and the honor to be hailed one of the country’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations for 2012.   The 20 finalists will compete in Manila on November to be among the 10th TAYO winners who will each receive a Php50,000 cash grant and a trophy specifically sculpted by the highly regarded artist, Toym de Leon Imao.   Competing in the national finals are:   National Capital Region:   -       Kythe - Ateneo – Quezon City -       La Salle Debate Society –Manila -       Mu Sigma Phi Sorority – Manila -       One Million Lights Philippines – Makati City -       Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity - Manila   Luzon:   -       Angat Kabataan – Taytay, Rizal -       BSU-Development Communication Society – Trinidad, Benguet -       CBA-Kalipunan and Marketing Junior Executives – Baguio City -       RMTU-Electrical Engineering Society – Iba, Zambales -       University of Luzon Students in Free Enterprise – Dagupan, Pangasinan   Visayas:   -       Cebuano Youth Ambassadors – Cebu City -       Community Extension Service Society (CESS) – Iloilo City -       English Society – Ibajay, Aklan -       Hayag Youth Organizations – Ormoc City, Leyte -       Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers-Student Chapter – Bacolod City, Negros Occidental   Mindanao:   -       Dire Husi Initiatives, Inc. – Cagayan de Oro City -       I CAN Make a Difference, Inc. – Zamboanga City -       Monte Verde 4-H Club, Inc. – Zamboanga City -       Students in Free Enterprise-SKSU Access Campus – Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat -       Tingug-CDO – Cagayan de Oro City   Mindanao-based organizations set to compete in the final leg are Filipino Youth Research Group, Students in Free Enterprise – Sultan Kudarat State University – ACCESS Team, Monteverde 4-H Club, 505 DREAM, STREAMS – Pathways to Higher Education, Dire Husi Initiatives, Inc., Tingug-CDO, Association of Blue Eagle and Centennial Scholars, I Can Make A Difference, Inc., and MSU-IIT DOST Scholars Association.   For Visayas, the top 5 organizations are Cebuano Youth Ambassadors, Euphrasia Youth Organizations, Kappa Psi Sigma, Hayag Youth Organization, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineering – Student Chapter, English Society, Gaba-an Youth Lead, Community Extension Service Society, CAS Council, and University of San Carlos – Pathways   Luzon-based finalists include the University of Luzon JPIA, University of Luzon SIFE, Angat Kabataan, Ilagan Municipal Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, University of Baguio Supreme Student Council, Ramon Magsaysay Technological University – Electrical Eng’g Society, CBA – Kalipunan Marketing Junior Executives, Hotel and Restaurant Administration Students Organization, Development Communication Society – Benguet State University, and Campers, Researchers, Earth-Savers, Trekkers (CREST).   For NCR, those competing in the finals are One Million Lights Philippines, Phi Kappa Mu, Youth Hope Association of Baesa – for verification of certification c/o NYC, Team Juan Makasining, Mu Sigma Phi Sorority, UP Journalism Club, Kythe Ateneo, La Salle Debate Society, Inter-University Management Alliance (ADMU, DLSU, UP), and UP Economics Society.   To see profiles and photos of the organizations, please visit http://www.facebook.com/TAYOawards/photos_albums. The TAYO Awards   Now on its 10th year, the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards is the only awards body that recognizes the outstanding contributions of youth organizations in the Philippines. Since it was first launched by the TAYO Awards Foundation in 2002, over a thousand youth organizations have joined the search and are now part of the growing youth network, each having contributed to the development of their local communities, schools and work place their innovative and valuable projects.   A total of 252 youth organizations from across the country applied for the 10th TAYO Awards.  Submission of entries started in February and ended in August this year. A league of highly respected individuals will serve as judges during the finals, and will determine the winners based on the following criteria: the impact of the organization’s project entry on stakeholders; how well the organization have harnessed the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship; creativity and innovation; and the project’s sustainability and effective use of resources.   This year’s TAYO Awarding Ceremony will be held at Malacañang Palace and will be spearheaded by no less than President Benigno S. Aquino.  Each of the ten winners will receive a trophy specially crafted by Toym de Leon Imao, a renowned Filipino sculptor, and a Php50,000 cash grant from Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, co-presenter of TAYO Awards.   TAYO and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines   TAYO’s partnership with Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines (CCFPI) began in 2005 through the “Coke Barkada Award,” a special recognition given to the TAYO Finalist that best demonstrated the Coke Barkada spirit of collective volunteerism, or “working together for the community and living the value of positive action for positive change.”  The “Coke Barkada Award” is given annually.  The winner receives a trophy and a Php30,000 cash grant.   In 2006, CCFPI scaled up its partnership with TAYO as the sole co-presenter of TAYO Awards.   “This year presented another opportunity for us to again work with the TAYO Awards Foundation, Inc. to actively and creatively support the projects of youth organizations all over the Philippines,” said Cecile Alcantara, CCFPI President and Trustee.  “By helping select these organizations, we hope that we promote excellence and healthy competition between them to further inspire and improve the way they serve their communities.”   To help determine this year’s “Coke Barkada Awardee,” Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines have once again engaged the public through online voting. Supporters of the TAYO finalists and the TAYO Awards can vote for the organization who they think deserves the award by going here. . However, the online voting only comprises 30% of the total score. Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines shall determine the remaining 70% wherein 30% is allotted to the uniqueness of the project, and 40% for the presence of Coke Barkada spirit—doing positive change in the community while having fun.   The TAYO Awards is co-presented by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and is sponsored by the Philippine Center for Young Leaders in Governance, Starbucks, PAGCOR, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Agriculture, TeaM Energy, Jollibee, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, SM Supermalls and SM Cares Foundation.   For more information on the TAYO Awards, please visit http://www.tayoawards.net/ or http://www.coca-colafoundation.ph/TAYO-Awards.aspx. Press release from Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines