Filipino Youth Groups Recognized at the 16th TAYO Awards

 

Ten out of more than 300 entries from all over the Philippines were recognized as the best youth organizations with projects, programs, and advocacies aimed to bring about meaningful changes in their respective communities last January 23, 2019 at the GSIS Theater, GSIS Complex, Pasay City. 

Both our individual and collective stories form the weave of hope for a better future - The TAYO Awards recognizes Filipino youth groups that have done great contributions in their communities through projects and programs that solve challenges on education, environment, culture and the arts, livelihood, and health. 

All of which lead to how these small acts of bravery, excellence, and perseverance create the weave of how young people are invested in nation building.. 

This year, the Ten Acccomplished Youth Organizations are: 

● The Sun Crew from Siargao, Surigao Del Norte, with their project, Sustainable Smart Surfers, addresses the problem of students’ lack of interest in school, by using surfing as a tool to incentivize students in the form of surf points. Not only do they encourage kids to go back to school, they also teach the kids to be mindful of the ocean and the environment - with this, they schedule regular beach clean ups and eco-bricking activities. 

● Tuklas Katutubo from Malungon, Sarangani, with their project, KASAMBUK (Karunungan ay ang Susi sa Mayaman at Buhay na Katutubong Kumunidad), constructed a school through bayanihan in a far-flung community in Sarangani Province. This school gives the primary school access for the Indigenuous peoples’ community to be educated, to learn how to read, count, and write, and to dream on its own. 

● Centre for Sustainability, with their project, The Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat Project, is the first youth organization-led critical habitat declaration which resulted in the protection of 41,350 hectares key biodiversity area in the Puerto Princesa City, Palawan - the biggest critical habitat in the whole country! 

● Association of Young Environmental Journalists from Dumaguete, with their project CAMP SEWI: Student's Environemtal Writing Initiative, is a youth-led environmental news network that aims to engage civic society on environmental sustainability, stewardship, and conservation through youth engagement and environmental journalism in Dumaguete City. They’ve already published their articles in several local newspapers, blogs, and editorials in the City and in university organs. 

● Cuartero National High Sschool Taliamba Ensemble from Cuartero Capiz, with their project, Enhanced Lowa Documentation Initiative (ELOWDI), preserves oral traditions in Cuartero, Capiz, specifically the dying tradition of Lowa by ensuring that these are properly gathered from the elders in the municipality, and then documented in both hard and soft copies.

 ● Team Bakunawa from Iloilo, with their project, Project: BakUNANAYS: Bakuna Ng Kabataan Ugaliin Nang Anak Ay 'di Sakitin, implemented a community-based project that aims to promote immunization and to improve the compliance to School-Based Immunization (SBI) specifically for the Measles-Rubella (MR) and Tetanus-Diphtheria (Td) vaccinations. Their project resulted to 100% compliance and vaccination of Grade 2 elementary students of Ungka II Elementary School in Pavia, Iloilo. 

● Aqilah from Marawi, Lanao Del Sur, with their project, MHarawi (Mental Health for Marawi), addressed the mental wellness in Marawi by giving Psycho-Social Intervention program incorporated by Islamic Teaching and Methodology designed especially for the conservative Muslim IPs affected by the arm conflict in Mindanao particularly – the Marawi Siege.

 ● Philippine Accessible Disability Services from Cebu City, with their project, Paddle for All, seeks to provide an entry point for Persons with Disabilities through adaptive sports to help them ease in to and be included in all aspects of the society with their project. They have programs for dragon boat racing, wheelchair basketball, skipping volleyball, and chess. 

● MIMAROPA Young Leader from Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, with their project, Project Danum, improved the knowledge, attitude and practices of the TadyawanMangyan community in Sitio Byanan I, Brgy. Concepcion, Oriental Mindoro regarding the importance of clean water, proper sanitation and hygiene, and reduced the cases of diarrhea.

● Francisco Laya Memorial Integrated Sschool YES-O from Iligan City, Lanao Del Norte, started a school mushroom farming project made into an income-generating livelihood project for their rural high school in Iligan City. The proceeds of their mushroom sales are used to improve school facilities. 

The ten winners for the 16th TAYO Awards received a trophy sculpted by Toym De Leon Imao, a Php 50, 000 cash grant from the co-presenter of the Search, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) and San Miguel Corporation. 

The finalist organizations: Karaw Craftventures, Food Secure Philippines, Junior Chambers international Central Davao, TauSpartan Lead Com, Xavier University Night School Program, Binhi Creatives, UP Visayas College of Management Student Council, University of San Agustin Little Theater, Ecowatch - Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Kidlikasan- Kabataan- Kalikasan also received a trophy and a Php 20,000 cash grant from Coca-Cola Foundations Philippines, Inc and San Miguel Corporation for the development of their projects. 

 The following  organizations also received various special awards during the awarding ceremonies: 

● University of San Agustin Little Theater - People’s Choice Awards 

● Aqilah - Georgina P. Nava Women’s Leadership Award 

● Xavier University Night School Program - Lenovo Tech Visionary Award 

● Philippine Accessible Disability Services - Smart Communities Awards 

● Team Bakunawa - SMC Better World Award 

● The Sun Crew - Coke Barkada Award 

These youth groups and organizations continue to inspire more people to create meaningful impact in their own spheres of interest and influence.

With the hopes to enjoin other people, young and younger alike, to weave in their stories to our collective efforts of nation building, they bid their advices for their fellows with: tuloy tayo! 

The search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) is the sole award-giving body that grants nationwide recognition to formal and non-formal youth organizations for their outstanding contributions to nation-building and development. 

It is organized by the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Foundation, Inc., co-presented by Coca Cola Foundation Philippines and San Miguel Corporation; sponsored by Ayala Corporation, Jollibee Foods Corporation, SMART Communications, and Megaworld; Official IT Parter, Lenovo Philippines. 

The annual Search will once again open its doors to more aspiring Filipino youth organizations this April. Applications may be downloaded via the official website www.tayoawards.net. (photo taken by Mr. Jonathan Tal Placido)