TOYM through the years

After nearly 45 years, The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awards continues to recognize the exemplary men and women from practically every field of endeavor. TOYM has served as an inspiration for many Filipinos.

TOYM remains as the most prestigious award given to a Filipino who has achieved excellence in his craft with a determination to focus that excellence towards serving the country.

The list of TOYM awardees includes the likes of Ninoy Aquino, Flash Elorde, Cesar Virata, Ryan Cayabyab, Juan Flavier, Jose "Titoy" Pardo, Manuel Pangilinan, Tony Tan Caktiong, Jaime Zobel de Ayala and Gary Valenciano.

TOYM also honors illustrious women who have met the same high standards. Past winners include Sen. Loren Legarda, CNN’s Maria Ressa, Jessica Soho, Dorothy Delasin, policewoman Ligaya Sim-Cabal and forensic pathologist Raquel Fortun.

Last year, TOYM honored Allan Bernardo for education, Dr. Orville Bondoc for genetics and animal breeding, international designer Kenneth Cobonpue for arts and design, Dr. Luis Gatmaitan and Vim Nadera for literature, John Patrick Gregorio for tourism, John Ong for community service, Dr. Ricardo Quintos for vascular surgery, Lyndon Tan for agriculture and Jay Bernardo for entrepreneurship.

"What sets the TOYM apart from every other award is its 44-year history of honoring people that have excelled in their field, and with a heart for the country," explains Butch Jimenez, TOYM awardee in 1998 and president of the TOYM Foundation. "The award is not just about being good, or being popular. The TOYM award is given to young men and women who have changed the landscape of Philippine society, business, culture, government and the academe for the better. You can’t achieve this, if you don’t excel in your field and you don’t have a heart for service."

The selection process for TOYM is very demanding. The nominees go through a two-step process where each nominee must pass through a screening committee and then the Board of Judges.

The screening committee is composed of past TOYM winners who painstakingly review the background, achievement and credential of each nominee. A board of judges evaluates the nominees for further consideration.

The judges are empowered to set up their own selection process as long as it conforms to the criteria set by the Philippine Jaycees who run the process. Both the screening committee and the judges are given as much time as they need to come to a decision.

The identity of the screening committee and the board of judges are kept strictly confidential throughout the selection process to ensure that no interaction happens between the judges and the nominees at any level and at any given time.

Last year’s board of judges was chaired by Bishop Socrates Villegas, who was assisted by the following esteemed members: Central Bank Gov. Rafael Buenaventura, Inquirer Chairperson Marixi Prieto, GMA Broadcaster Jessica Soho, entrepreneur and philanthropist Cecilio Pedro, educator Sister Luz Soriano of Assumption and Mr. Sergio Valencia.

The Japanese Way

In celebration of the ASEAN Japan-Exchange Year 2003, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Japan Foundation presented an exhibit called Beyond the Surface — Japanese Style of Making Things held recently at the CCP’s Bulwagang Juan Luna (Main Gallery).

Curated by Professor Ryu Niimi of the Musashino Art University, the exhibit featured works of photography, interior design, textiles and fiber sculptures, all of which convey messages through their surfaces. Participating artists included Miyako Ishiuchi, Michiko Kon, Reiko Sudo, Hideho Tanaka and Tokujin Yoshioka. CCP president Nestor Jardin hopes that through the exhibit, the Philippine audiences will appreciate the Japanese passion for surface treatment shown in the works on display because "it resonates with our own fascination for layering and well-crafted detailing."