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10 Filipinos named The Outstanding Young Men of 2021
Ten exemplary Filipinos have just been named the newest recipients of the prestigious The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards.
During the announcement ceremony in Makati City on Friday, the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCI) announced the awardees who "made significant contributions to their field or community," especially amidst the pandemic.
This year's roster of TOYM honorees are as follows:
- Ariestelo A. Asilo (Social Entrepreneurship)
- Iloisa Romaraog-Diga (Agricultural Entrepreneurship)
- Eleazar Abraham ‘Abe’ L. Orobia (Education and Culture)
- Anna R. Oposa (Environment, Marine Conservation)
- Jayeel S. Cornelio, PhD (Education and Sociology)
- Maria Yzabell Angel V. Palma (Science and Technology)
- Jaime Alfonso M. Aherrera (Medicine, Cardiology)
- Lou Sabrina S. Ongkiko (Education and the Academe)
- Jaemark S. Tordecilla (Digital Journalism)
- Melvin J. Sanicas (Medicine)
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Among the honorees is GMA News and Public Affairs Head of Digital and GMA News Online Editor-in-Chief Jaemark Tordecilla.
With the theme being "Everyday Leaders Enabling Extraordinary Impact," the awardees' continued service amidst the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted.
"The task of rebuilding our society is humongous," said TOYM Inc. Chairman Bienvenido Tantoco III. "The four women and six men who are gifted and whose hearts are in the right place will hopefully continue to be successful in their fields and then influence and inspire others."
"We need them to be the true and real influencers," he added.
According to Michael Ho, the National Chairman of the TOYM Search 2021, there were nearly a hundred candidates that went through several screening processes headed by former TOYM awardees.
The final 20 portfolios were reviewed by the Board of Judges chaired by retired Chief of Justice Renato Puno of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.
The other judges are Education Sec. Leonor Briones, Inquirer Group CEO Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, University of the Philippines President Atty. Danilo Concepcion, CBCP Secretary-General Msgr. Bernard Pantin, and 1st District of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
"Ang TOYM awardee natin should be credible and contributed significantly doon sa community natin. And hindi lang siya limited sa field of expertise nila," Ho said about the selection process.
"It's a recognition award for them... 'yung ginagawa nila sa community, hindi 'yan balewala. And also some sort of reminder na rin sa kanila na let's be an inspiratiin to the young ones na meron tayong magagawa para sa kapwa nating Pilipino," he added.
The 10 honorees will be officially awarded in a ceremony next Friday.
TOYM annually recognizes Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 40 who have made significant contributions to their field and community. The program has been in existence for 62 years. —JCB, GMA News