Held at the Insular Life Corporate Centre Auditorium in Alabang last Dec. 6, The Oustanding Filipino (Tofil) award was conferred on H.E. Ambassador Lauro L. Baja Jr., for bilateral and multi-lateral diplomacy; Dr. Adolfo B. Bellosillo, MD for medicine; and Benjamin S. Farrales for fashion, arts and culture.
Philippine Jaycee Senate president Jorge Banal and Insular Life chairman and CEO Vicente R. Ayllon led their respective companies, together with family, friends and colleagues of the winners, in paying tribute to the three awardees. Past Tofil winners also graced the affair such as Dr. Gelia Castillo, who led the 2005 Tofil Board of judges, Rosa Rosal, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani F. Fernando and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who was also the guest of speaker.
Mayor Belmonte, 2002 Tofil awardee for government service, spoke of the importance of putting faith in the Filipino in his keynote addres. "Our positive actions," he said, "will be our best affirmation of faith in the Filipino. They do more to preserve us and move us forward than any other political statement or initiative."
For his part, Ayllon spoke of the importance of pursuing one’s passion. "As we can see, allowing yourself to pursue what you love results in deep joy and fulfillment. Our Tofil awardees have clearly shown this. It is also the best gift we can possibly give the Lord God for the unique talents he blessed us."
Indeed, the three Tofil awardees are veritable icons of achievements. Ambassador Baja rose from the ranks of the Department of Foreign Affairs, and has several key diplomatic posts until finally being appointed as permanent representative of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations. He also has the distinction of being the only Filipino to have been president of the influential UN Security Council twice.
Dr. Bellosillo trained to be a cardiologist but has unerringly found his way back to his first love, teaching. He stamped his mark in echocardiology, cardiac rehabilitation, continuing medical education for physicians, and lay education. However, it is with Preventive Cardiology that he is most identified with. He founded the Foundation for the Lay Education (FLEHD) which conducts workshops nationwide on the prevention of heart diseases.
Farrales, or Mang Ben as he is fondly called, is a pillar of the local fashion industry and is hailed as the Dean of Philippine Fashion. He integrated the use of indigenous materials and designs in mainstream fashion, concentrating particulary in the fertile culture of Southern Mindanao. He is also an avowed devotee of the Holy Child and a staunch supporter of the Philippine Red Cross.
The Tofil awards night showcased each awardee’s contributions. It was further highlighted by musical and dance performances, as well as a short fashion show of some of Farrales’ creations.
The Tofil awards, now on its 18th year, is an annual search for exemplary men and women over 41 who have made significant contributions in their field of profession and to the Filipino society. Conceived by the Philippine Jaycee Senate and sponsored by Insular Life,with The Philippine Star as media partner, the Tofil award has already recognized 86 outstanding Filipinos since its start in 1988.