Yeb Saño named WikiPinoy 2013

MANILA, Philippines - Climate Change Commissioner Naderev “Yeb” Saño was chosen by online encyclopedia WikiPilipinas.org as its “WikiPinoy of 2013” awardee.

WikiPilipinas project leader Gilmeri Gem Mallorca said Saño topped the online voting held in December. He received more than 1,170 out of the 2,140 votes cast by readers and contributors of the site.

Saño – an environmentalist, philosopher and peace activist – was thrust into the limelight when he delivered an emotional speech at the climate change conference in Poland following the onslaught of Super Typhoon Yolanda in November.

He is the country’s chief negotiator in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and serves as chair of the convention’s Long Term Finance Work Program.

During the conference, he broke down in tears and declared that he would fast until the talks produced results. He urged governments meeting in Poland to take emergency action to resolve the deadlocked climate talks.

WikiPinoy is a title awarded annually to a “person or group of people who has empowered the public by providing open information and in-depth insights into the more significant issues affecting the country today.”

Other nominees include journalist Atom Araullo, weather analyst Karen Cardenas, whistle-blower Benhur Luy, change.org campaigns director Inday Espina-Varona, relief group People’s Caravan, and the #ScrapPork Network.

Previous awardees include Filipino-Canadian YouTube sensation Mikey Bustos (2008), Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism executive director Malou Mangahas (2009), Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning undersecretary Manuel Quezon III (2010), the Filipino bloggers (2011), and the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo (2012).