TOYM of 2009 honored

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo honored yesterday The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of 2009 in recognition of their excellence and leadership in advancing the interest of their countrymen.

In simple ceremonies at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang, the President awarded medals and trophies to Maria Victoria Morales-Reyno (Broadcast Journalism); Mary Joy Canon-Abaquin (Education); Jose Roberto Alday Alampay (Democracy and Human Rights Advocacy); Ma. Anthonette Velasco-Allones (Human Resource Development); Raymund Joseph Teves Laurel (Arts-Fashion Design); and Eliseo Lucero-Prisno III (Maritime Health).

Reyno, more popularly known as Vicky Morales and one of the five pillars of GMA-7 network with more than 40 local and international institutional awards, was cited for her untainted record, solid work ethic, sincerity and integrity, making her a good example of responsible journalism and a role model for the youth.

Abaquin was cited for pioneering in the Philippines the Multiple Intelligence Educational Institution which trains preschool and high school students in leadership and entrepreneurship to prepare them for the demands of the 21st century.

Currently executive secretary of the Career Service Executive Board, Allones has been a civil servant for 22 years. She rose from the ranks to become the youngest assistant secretary of National Defense at the age of 30 in 2000, and subsequently served as assistant secretary of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) until 2006. Her policy and administrative reforms promoted the welfare of low-ranking soldiers, ordinary employees and career executive officers.

Laurel, popularly known in the arts and fashion circle as Rajo, is among the most in-demand fashion designers in the country today. As a young designer in 1993, Rajo started to receive recognition from local and international award-giving bodies and became the favorite designer of celebrities.

Prisno is known in the global maritime industry as the voice of the Filipino seafarers, who fought for their rights and welfare through his advocacy and extensive research on maritime health, global health, and science promotion.

His organization, Building Alliances and Leaders for Understanding and Development (BALUD), has been at the forefront in the national government’s objective to break the cycle of poverty and achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through childhood and youth education, youth leadership, entrepreneurship, community development, giftedness program, science education, and infrastructure development, particularly in Samar and Leyte.

Alampay was recognized in 2006 by the Asia Society as one of Asia’s young leaders for his passion and advocacy for social justice, human freedom and patriotism. His work in promoting the welfare and bridging the needs and capacities of media practitioners in Southeast Asia earned him various awards locally and internationally.

He offered his TOYM award to the 31 media comrades who perished in Maguindanao, and hopes that justice will be given to all the other victims.

Assisting the President during the ceremonies were Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines national president Fulbert Woo, TOYM Foundation chairman Guido Alfredo Delgado, and Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) president Antonio Kalaw.

Launched in 1959 by the Manila Jaycees, the TOYM became an annual project of the Philippine Jaycees with the Gerry Roxas Foundation as co-sponsor.

This year’s search was carried out in cooperation with the TOYM Foundation, DAP, Infinite Community Integrated Development Support (ICIDS), Manila Bulletin and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.

Over the years, the TOYM has given recognition to young Filipino men and women, aged between 18 to 40, for their selfless dedication or vocation that significantly contributed to the welfare of their countrymen and advancement in various fields.