21st TAYO awards top ten youth organizations

The Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation recognized the most outstanding youth organizations in the Philippines for its 21st awarding ceremony, which took place at the Metropolitan Theater in Ermita, Manila on August 19. 

With the theme “Makabayani”, a wordplay between the Tagalog words makabayan and bayani, TAYO 21 highlighted the positive contributions of young leaders from various groups to nation-building for this year’s ceremony. The theme shed light on the essence of modern heroism and how the youth organizations are not only driven by patriotism alone, but are also committed in making a change in their communities with their projects and initiatives.

In his keynote message, former Senator Bam Aquino emphasized, “Ang pagsagot sa hamon para maging isang Makabayani ay nangangailangan ng malalim at totoong paniniwala at pagmamahal sa Pilipino, the Filipino is worth uniting for.”

The awardees ranged from the areas of culture, arts, and heritage; education and technology; environment, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation; health, well-being, and human development; and livelihood and entrepreneurship. The list for the youth organizations recognized by TAYO Awards Foundation is as follows:

• Salumayag Youth Collective for Forests
• Second Chance Philippines
• Achieve Minarog Youth Organization
• MSU – Iligan Institute of Technology Youth Chain of Peace
• Sidha – San Jose City
• Therawee Health Innovation Inc.
• ADHIKA PH Inc.
• Project Barako
• Philippine Anti-Discrimination Alliance of Youth Leaders, Inc.
• Negrosanon Young Leaders Institute Inc.

The said awardees were presented with a TAYO trophy crafted by National Artist Toym Imao. They also received P50,000 to fund their current and future projects. Aside from the prizes for the aforementioned recipients, special awards were also given to several youth organizations. 

Coke Barkada Award, a special recognition for the TAYO finalist that contributed to the improvement of communities and environment well-being, was awarded to Salumayag Youth Collective. San Miguel’s Better World Award, presented to the organization that gives emphasis on collaboration within communities, was awarded to Therawee Health Innovation, Inc. The Hello Pagkain Award, recognizing the youth organization that trains young people with agricultural practices and technologies, was awarded to Kagay-anon Youth Network Alliance. Bida Kabataan Award, an award presented to organizations that exhibited the bravery and intelligence of the youth, was given to Second Chance Philippines and Iloilo National High School Boy Scouts of the Philippines Outfit 154. The Georgina P. Nava Leadership Award, named after a TAYO pioneer, was given to Sidha. Lastly, Youthled Democracy Award, sponsored by The Asia Foundation and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Youth Leadership for Democracy (YouthLed), was given to Model Sangguniang Kabataan Network.

“From grassroots campaigns to innovative programs and social movements, these youth organizations are leading the charge with a passion and dedication that speaks to the heart of our modern-day challenges,” the TAYO Awards Foundation reiterated.

Founded by former senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan, together with Atty. Mabel Mamba, the TAYO Awards Foundation is the premiere award-giving body in the Philippines, awarding youth groups and organizations that play an important role in the Philippine community, with the aim to inspire the youth to also make an impact. 

 

Photo courtesy of TAYO Awards Foundation