7 cited as outstanding young men, women of 2020

MANILA, Philippines — The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, together with The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Foundation, the Gerry Roxas Foundation and Advantage Management Consulting Philippines Inc., have concluded the search for the outstanding young men and women of the Philippines for 2020.

The theme of this year’s search was “Pilipino: Tagumpay Natin ang Galing Mo” which rcognizes seven exemplary individuals who, according to TOYM Foundation, “Beyond concern, have brought service to others; beyond their talent, exuded excellence; beyond their position, shone leadership; and beyond their achievement, have grown greatness.”

“The Honorees are true models of exceptional young Filipinos worth emulating by the young generation and the nation in general,” the foundation added.

The TOYM 2020 honorees are David Almirol Jr., founder and CEO of Multisys Technologies Corp., for science technology and engineering; Edgar Elago, who holds the rank of Master Teacher 1 under the Department of Education, for community development/education; George Royeca, co-founder of ride-hailing firm Angkas, for business entrepreneurship in pioneering industries; Lesley Jeanne Cordero, senior disaster risk management specialist at the World Bank, for political and social sciences; Raymond Francis Sarmiento, director of the National Institutes of Health at the University of the Philippines in Manila, for medicine; Army Capt. Ron Villarosa Jr. for community development/military service; and Pasig Mayor Victor Ma. Regis Sotto for government service.

The search committee gathered nominations submitted by individuals and organizations from all over the country. The year-long search was supported by JCI Philippines national president, Mark Joseph David, and was chaired by JCI senator Florica Aira Talah Pimentel.

Nominations were screened by a panel composed of past TOYM honorees chaired by 2009 honoree for human resource development and Tourism Promotions Board COO Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones, together with Theodore Te, 2002 honoree for human rights legal aid; Luis Gatmaitan, 2003 honoree for literature; Rodrigo Manicad Jr., 2012 honoree for broadcast journalism; Doris Dumlao-Abadilla, 2014 honoree for journalism; Paolo Antonio Silva, 2014 honoree for medicine; Cherrie Atilano, 2018 honoree for agribusiness; Erika Fille Legara, 2018 honoree for education innovation; and Aisa Mijeno, 2019 honoree for science and green technology.

The board of judges was chaired by Justice Rosmari Carandang of the Supreme Court, and is composed of Federico Hizon, senior anchor, CNN Philippines; Randy Halasan, commissioner, presidential commission for the urban poor; Finance Undersecretary Milwida Guevara, CEO, Synergeia Foundation; Kenneth Cobonpue, president, Interior Crafts of the Islands Inc.; Francisco Lim, president, Management Association of the Philippines; and Carmencita Padilla, chancellor, University of the Philippines Manila.

This year’s search is co-presented by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Home Fibr and Smart Communications.