“They aren’t gonna change this
We gotta do it ourselves
They think that it’s over
But it’s just begun
Only one thing can save us—Only the young (only the young)”
Taylor Swift’s “Only the Young” is an anthem that speaks to a profound and urgent reality in a time when long-lasting change can sometimes seem like a distant dream. Youth organizations are rising to the occasion and demonstrating that, after all this time, they have been the harbingers of transformation all along. The song encapsulates this generational call to action.
The TAYO Awards Foundation honored and recognized the ten most accomplished youth organizations in the following categories: Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation; Health, Wellbeing, and Human Development; Livelihood and Entrepreneurship; and Culture, Arts, and Heritage. This year’s 21st National Awarding Ceremony took place on Monday, August 19, at the Metropolitan Theater in Ermita, Manila, and is a remarkable testament to the power of youth-led initiatives.
Under the theme “Makabayani,” a blend of the words makabayan (love for one’s country) and bayani (hero), this year’s awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions of young leaders and their positive contributions to nation building.
“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,” said former senator Bam Aquino during his keynote message.
TAYO 21 Awardees as Modern Day Heroes
The 21st Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards Finalists posing with their trophies
For more than two decades, the TAYO Awards Foundation has recognized and honored exceptional youth organizations that embody the spirit of service and patriotism. This year’s theme encapsulates the essence of modern heroism and showcases how these youth organizations are not only driven by a love for their country, but are also actively transforming their communities with their passion projects and initiatives.
The 21st Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations Top 10 Awardees are 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 Top 10 awardees and 10 finalists received a TAYO trophy by national artist, Toym Imao, as well as Php 50,000 and Php 20,000 seed grants, respectively, to help fund their ongoing projects or start new ones.
This year’s TAYO Awards Top 10 Awardees
Special Awards
Apart from the prizes received by the Top 10 accomplished youth orgs, the TAYO Foundation also gave special awards to select groups. These special awards were chosen by their partners and were given to organizations that will further their individual missions as institutions, corporate organizations, or public offices.
The Coke Barkada Award is a special recognition given to the TAYO Finalist that helps improve the well-being of communities and environment through projects that are aligned with The Coca-Cola Company’s sustainability priorities. This was awarded to Salumayag Youth Collective.
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) President Cecile Alcantara emphasizes the role of youth in national development. CCFPI has been a co-presenter of TAYO Foundation since the 5th TAYO Awards.
Meanwhile, the San Miguel’s Better World Award is given to the organization that believes in the healing power of collaboration within communities. Therawee Health Innovation, Inc. took home this award for their work in the health industry.
The third special award—The Hello, Pagkain Award—is sponsored by TAYO Founder, Kiko Pangilinan. It is a special recognition given to a youth organization that trains young people with agricultural practices and technologies that will help them become food & financially secure. This was given to the Kagay-anon Youth Network Alliance.
The fourth special award is the Bida Kabataan Award sponsored by former Senator and TAYO Co-Founder Bam Aquino. This award is given to organizations that have rightfully showcased the bravery and intelligence of the youth. The awardees are Second Chance Philippines and Iloilo National High School Boy Scouts of the Philippines Outfit 154.
Another special award is the Georgina P. Nava Leadership Award. Nava was a beloved TAYO pioneer who dedicated her whole life in service of the Filipino youth. This award was given to Sidha.
The Asia Foundation and USAID, through Youth Leadership for Democracy, or YouthLed, are the sponsors of the last special prize, the Youthled Democracy prize. Model Sangguniang Kabataan Network received this prize.
Young leaders are redefining what it means to be a hero by taking on positions that are being filled around the country. They are actively bringing about change instead of passively waiting for it to happen. These young groups are leading the way with a passion and determination that speaks to the core of our contemporary concerns, from grassroots campaigns to creative initiatives and social movements.
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