The Senate adopted a resolution commending the seven awardees of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) of the Philippines for their excellence and significant contributions to the welfare of the country.
Senate Resolution No. (SRN) 621, introduced by Senator Nancy Binay, was adopted taking into consideration SRNs 624 and 670 of Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto and Senator Sonny Angara, respectively.
Senate President Tito Sotto led other senators in congratulating the outstanding 2020 TOYM awardees, namely David Lopez Almirol for science, technology, and engineering; Lesley Jeanne Yu Cordero for political and social sciences; Edgar Tolentino Elago for community development in education; George Ilagan Royeca for business entrepreneurship in pioneering Industries; Raymond Francis Rapal Sarmiento for medicine; Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Nubla Sotto for government service; and Capt. Ron Tendido Villarosa Jr. for community development in military service.
“The Senate commends and lauds this year’s seven TOYM Awardees for their excellence and steadfast constancy in their crafts, and in transforming communities and creating positive change,” the resolution stated.
“There are many who are willing to do the difficult and the uncomfortable in the name of true public service.”
Binay, in her sponsorship speech, said the works of the 2020 TOYM awardees is a reassurance that there are many who are willing to do the difficult and the uncomfortable — to disrupt what has been taken for granted — in the name of true public service.
“I urge my colleagues, not just us lawmakers, but all of government–let us work together in creating an environment that allows us to replicate and scale up the innovations of our awardees and other changemakers,” the lady senator added.
Recto, in his speech, said the “amazing works” of the seven awardees have restored his faith in the future of the country.
“These are the very ones which have allowed us to survive the harrowing days and give us hope for a bright future.”
“I believe that what they did during the past year, when civilization was brought to its knees by a virus invisible to the eye, was a key factor in their selection. And rightly so, because if you notice the disciplines they excelled at, these are the very ones which have allowed us to survive the harrowing days and give us hope for a bright future,” the veteran legislator said.
Angara in his sponsorship speech said the seven awardees serve as a reminder that even amidst “very trying” times, there are people capable of outstanding feats and it is important the society recognize their exemplary achievements.
“In my view the youth of our awardees is merely circumstantial, incidental even to the core themes of the stories of our awardees which are human perseverance, human compassion, and human ingenuity and foresight,” the veteran legislator added.
The TOYM awards is an annual project organized and presented by the Junior Chamber International – Philippines otherwise known as the Philippine Jaycees, the Gerry Roxas Foundation, Inc. and the TOYM Foundation since 1959.