Chris Tiu, 8 others receive 2013 TOYM award

(Updated 4:26pm) Chris Tiu, a GMA Network host, a PBA player for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and a former member of the Philippine national basketball team, on Thursday led the nine recipients of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award for 2013, at a ceremony in Malacañang.

Tiu became the youngest recipient of the award, having been born in 1985. Prior to him, Chieffy Caligdong and Emmeline Aglipay, both of whom were born in 1982, had also been cited.

In his speech, delivered after receiving the award from President Benigno Aquino III, Tiu said he feels "truly humbled and blessed," adding that a lot more people deserve the award.

"In behalf of this year's awardees, I want to express our utmost appreciation for citing us among the great individuals in the 54-year history of the TOYM foundation. We feel unworthy to be standing amidst such distinguished and admirable individuals when there are many other young Filipinos out there who have so selflessly dedicated their lives for the betterment of our dear country," he said.

But according to the TOYM Foundation, Tiu is not being honored because of his achievements in basketball or show business, but because of his contribution to "Youth Leadership Development."

It said Tiu "channeled his celebrity status to help form values of today's Filipino youth" and that "he breaks the mold and defies the stereotypes" in each aspect of his career.

"How many PBA players graduated Management Engineering and Chinese studies from the Ateneo? How many TV stars place educational content ahead of mass-market exposure? And how many people view their achievements not as ends in themselves, but as means of being a more effective messenger to the youth?" it said.

"One of the stated objectives of the TOYM awards is to inspire the youth, and Chris has certainly achieved that," it added.

In his speech, Aquino also said Tiu has "consistently displayed leadership, modesty, and discipline" in whatever he was doing.

"In this way, he has already found success not just as a media personality or athlete—but also as a role model and inspiration for the Filipino youth today, and in the years to come," he said.

Aside from Tiu, the other 2013 TOYM awardees selected from 59 nominees are:

Emerson Bautista Atanacio (Social Enterpreneurship)
June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla (Community Service)
Nicole Paula Cayco Curato (Sociology)
Custer Calingasan Deocaris (Science Communications)
Miguel Rene Alcantara Dominguez (Government and Public Service)
Alonzo Alolud Gabriel (Food Science and Technology)
Karl Michael Gutierrez Reyes (Medicine)
Paolo Antonio Sandico Silva (Medicine)

Curato is also an occasional contributor to GMA News Online.

With this distinction, Aquino said it has been established that they are role models not only for the communities they have immediate contact with but also for "a nation of millions."

"Our countrymen see in your example the fruits of hard work, excellence, and compassion. You are the hope that inspires them to pursue their own dreams, and hopefully, in so doing, to touch the lives of others," he said. - AMD, GMA News