Still counting, TOFIL marks its 26th year of recognizing great Filipino achievers

The highest form of honor a man or woman of noble or outstanding achievement comes from the conferment of public recognition be it simple or grandiose in fashion.
 
What makes the recognition doubly special and significant to one deserving of honor is the fact that the organizers of the annual award giving bodies are two prestigious organizations whose presence in the Philippines have been anchored on a solid reputation of public service.
 
Indeed, though the laudable and commendable efforts of the JCI Senate Philippines and the Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd.
                                                                                                
The Outstanding Filipino Award (TOFIL) has for the last twenty five years conferred a total of 118 awards to some brilliant and prominent Filipino men and women whose contribution to the country is now publicly known and acclaimed. We call them our heroes, in a way.
 
Solidly TOFIL has become an institution borne by many years of hard work. It was conceivedin 1988 to celebrate the time-honored tradition of excellence, dedication & fidelity exemplified by our senior heroes in the task of building a free, fair and peaceful society.

"The organizers cognizant of the importance of pursuing through the years the TOFIL Award unwaveringly believes on the value of Filipino excellence and social commitment not only as form of national recognition but as a channel to inspire a whole generation of Filipino achievers to strive, to serve and to shine in their respective field of endeavors, knowingly or unknowingly by the public.  Not merely for personal glory or gratification,  but for the greater good of society, or humanity at large, our TOFIL awardees or heroes, past or future, have achieved  or will leave an indelible mark in society even when they are long gone, either in full retirement or are recalled by the Creator. "

Before we acknowledge our past TOFIL heroes, let us recognize the force behind the TOFIL organizers.

A by-word in Philippine society,the Insular Life Assurance Co. Ltd., is the first and largest Filipino life insurance company.  By and large, it is an institution that symbolizes stability, dependability and pioneering, now spanning 103 years of sustained service to the Filipinos. Its subsidiaries also engaged in general insurance, health maintenance and investment services, undoubtedly Insular Life is today one of the country’s leading full financial service institution.
While its co-partner, the JCI Senate Philippines (JCISP) is an organization of a select group of Junior Chamber International (JCI) members, who on their own merits are recognized also for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the JCI movement, are thus, conferred lifetime membership as JCI Senators.

These men and women live their JCI creed which 'recognizes the Giver and Sustainer of Life in enabling mankind to have a purpose-driven life, that brotherhood goes beyond the sovereignty of nations; that free enterprise embodies as the best form of economic justice; that a genuine government is run by laws, not by men; that the human person is where the earth’s great treasure lies and most importantly, that service to humanity is the best work of life.'

About the Trophy

Befitting the prestigious TOFIL Awards, the TOFIL trophy was designed and executed by National Artist Napoleon Abueva. The 27-inch trophy of irregular polygonal form symbolizes the many sidedness of human endeavor, and its gradual narrowing top represents the pinnacle of achievement. The wide base reflects solidity of purpose.
 
On March 22, 2013, the organizers formally opened the Search for TOFIL Awardees for 2013 where JCI Senate National President JCI       Sen. Hermin E. Arceo and Insular Life Chairman of the Board &CEO Vicente R. Ayllon in simple ceremonies launched the 26th TOFIL Awards at the Insular Life Makati Multi-purpose Hall.

JCI Senator John G. Enerio, 2012 JCI Senate National Director, 2012 Chairman of the 1st Responsible Mining Summit in Davao City & current Board of Director of JCI Senate Davao was appointed as the 26th National Chairman of this year’s TOFIL Search together with the following JCI Senators:

JCI Sen. Aggie J. Angeles ( ex-officio );JCI Sen. Jonas A. Baile (Natl. Search Comm.); JCI Sen. Wilma C. Lim (Secretary);JCI Sen. Dodo Montemayor (Screening Chairman); JCI Sen. Josel Gaston (Alt. Vice Chair Programs); JCI Sen. Lavi B. Penaverde (Regional Search-Metro Manila); JCI Sen. Alex M. Sonza (North Luzon); JCI Sen.Josel Reyes (Central Luzon); JCI Sen. Greg A. Lipa (Southern Luzon); JCI Sen. GleendoB. Dasmarinas (Visayas); JCI Sen. JojoBosquit ( Mindanao) &Ms. Ana R. Soriano (Insular Publicity/Screening Chair) andJCI Mem. Arline C. De Jesus(JCI Senate Phils.).

The public is welcomed to nominate a Filipino man or woman, 41 years and above, who have excelled in their fields of endeavor and have significantly contributed to the upliftment of lives.  

Nomination forms for the 2013 TOFIL award are available at the JCI Senate Philippines secretariat in Quezon City or through JCI Senate Chapter offices nationwide, otherwise the nomination form can easily be downloaded from www.tofil.ph.

Deadline for submission of nominations is on August 31, 2013.

Last January 8, 2013, three new awardees of our 2012 TOFIL heroes,  joined the ranks of our prestigious Filipino men and women who have put credence and honor to what TOFIL aims to achieve as envisioned by the organizers. They are Associate Justice Adolf S. Azcunafor Justice/Law, Police Director Atty. Samuel D. Pagdilao, Jr. for Military/Police work and Jose F. Datuinfor the Arts.

To mention a few, now belonging to the league of our past TOFIL heroes are the likes of:

• banker Edgardo B. Espiritu
• public servant Dr. Cecila Munoz-Palma
• human rights advocate Justice Jose B.L. Reyes
• Spiritual leader Jaime Cardinal Sin
• freedom advocator Sen. Lorenzo Tanada
• humanitarian worker Rosa Rosal
• arts and culture promoter Dr. Lucresia R. Kasilag
• journalist Mr. Teodoro M. Locsin
• Sr., theater artist Zenaida M. Amador
• rural development advocator Manuel P. Manahan
• agricultural researcher Dr. Dioscoro L. Umali
• marine biology scientist Edgardo D. Gomez
• historian Dr. Renato Constantino
• culture and folklorist Fr. Francisco R. Demetrio S.J.
• surgeon Dr. Jorge M. Garcia
• science and technology worker Bonifacio R. Isidro
• agriculturist Nicanor Perlas III
• playwright Dionisio S. Salazar
• educator Dr. Benjamin G. Tayabas
• musician Dr. Alfredo S. Buenaventura
• professor and journalist Dr. Crispin C. Maslog
• educators Dr. Helena Zoila T. Benitez and Fr. Raul J. Bonoan S.J.
• pediatrician Dr. Fe V. del Mundo
• entrepreneur Menardo R. Jimenez
• public accountant Carlos R. Alindada
• international physicist Dr. Amado C. Muriel
• billiard champion Efren M. Reyes
• businessman Enrique J. Zobel
• constructor Engr. David M. Consunji
• construction pioneer  Engr. Felipe F. Cruz
• community servant Sr. Eva Fidel C. Maamo SPC
• and architect/ex-National Artist Francisco Manosa, among others.