InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - Passion for work, desire for change, and love for country are some of the things that drive The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 2012, who include a football player, a hip hop artist, and a party-list representative.
The seven outstanding individuals will be honored next week by President Benigno Aquino IIIalong with the Philippine Jaycees, which annually organizes the event.
“You were chosen not only for what you’ve done, but more importantly, for how and why,” said TOYM Foundation president Bienvenido Tantoco III. “We recognize in you a hunger to contribute for the greater good very early in your life.”
Expressing pride in the awardees' achievements, Tantoco said their efforts had come “from a place of deep conviction."
“We recognize you because we want other young people to be inspired by what you’ve done,” Tantoco added.
The awardees were selected from 70 candidates, who should be at least 18 years old but no more than 40, based on the following criteria: service to the community or nation, professional excellence and integrity in their field, and leadership, including morality, innovativeness, and pioneering spirit.
The chairperson of the board of judges, Associate Justice Arturo Brion, announced the following TOYM awardees for this year:
1. Emmeline Aglipay – At 30, the Democratic Independent Workers Association (DIWA) partylist representative is one of the youngest members of the House of Representatives. She advocates the protection of labor rights, notably by co-authoring the Kasambahay Bill and putting up DIWA labor centers all over the country. Here, free labor legal assistance, livelihood seminars, skills training, and medical assistance are provided.
2. Warren Baticados – An associate professor at the University of the Philippines College of Veterinary Medicine, he has published 20 papers on veterinary parasitology, microbiology, and pathology in international scientific journals, and has written ten more. He has also done pioneering work on the molecular detection of organisms causing animal diseases.
3. Emelio “Chieffy” Caligdong – As a member of the Philippine Air Force, the athlete used to play for the Air Force football club before becoming the Philippine Azkals vice-captain. He is recognized for his “excellence and luster” as a left winger midfielder, as well as his efforts to teach the sport to kids in his Iloilo hometown.
4. Abelardo Apollo David – A winner of five presidential awards and three national awards, the visionary established the Independent Living Learning Centers, as well as the Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Adults and Children with Handicap Foundation Inc., to help persons with special needs gain independence and have quality lives.
5. Ivan Anthony Henares – A senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism, the Netizen behind popular blog Ivan About Town has championed heritage conservation using contemporary media. He conceptualized the San Fernando Frog Festival (Pyestang Tugak), and became the youngest chairperson of the Giant Lantern Festival Executive Committee. Both events are held in San Fernando, Pampanga.
6. Rodrigo “Jiggy” Manicad Jr. – A GMA News reporter, he is guided by the public’s right to know when doing stories that may be risky but must be heard. He has covered, among others, the military’s inability to evacuate wounded soldiers from the battlefield, the overseas Filipino workers doubling as drug mules, and the dire situation of the people in Fuga Island, Cagayan.
7. Allan “apl.de.ap” Pineda – A member of the U.S. hip hop group Black Eyed Peas, the Filipino-American rapper is a Smart ambassador who has recently collaborated with American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez for a video encouraging the youth to “jump in” and pursue their dreams. Aside from setting up his own music company, Jeepney Music Inc., he also started the Apl Foundation to give aid to children and communities.
The TOYM awards are co-sponsored by the Gerry Roxas Foundation and the TOYM Foundation, chaired by Manuel V. Pangilinan. InterAksyon.com is the online news portal of TV5, which Pangilinan also chairs.
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