MEDIA ADVISORY:
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. Vice Chairperson, Juan Ramon Felix and President Aquino III recently awarded the 10 most outstanding youth groups of the Philippines at the 12th Ten Accomplished Youth Group Organizations (TAYO) Awards at Malacanang Palace. For the past 12 years, the TAYO Awards Foundation Inc., in partnership with the National Youth Commission and the Office of Senator Bam Aquino, has and is continuing to recognize youth organizations across the country who have made exceptional contributions to national development through wide-reaching impact, innovative resourcefulness, and sustainability of the programs implemented in their chosen communities. Today, the TAYO Awards has become a widely recognized honor for nation building.
Coca-Cola and President Aquino Identifies 12th Batch of Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines
Photo: (L-R) Atty. Juan Tañada Coca-Cola FEMSA Philippines Public Affairs Director, Juan Ramon Felix, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines Vice Chairperson, with 15-year old Diwata Donato of Red Cross Youth and Rescue Team, one of the 10 winners of the 12thTAYO Awards and winner of the Coke Barkada Award, Cecile Alacantara, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. President, and Atty. Adel Tamano, Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications.
Photo (L-R): Winners of the 12th TAYO Awards pose with President Aquino III, National Youth Commission Chairman Gio Tiongson, TAYO Awards Foundation President Aika Robredo, Presidential Assistant for Food Security and Agricultural Modernization Francis Pangilinan, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. Vice Chairperson Juan Ramon Felix, TAYO Awards Founding President Senator Bam Aquino IV, and TAYO Awards Foundation Chairman Jose Sixto Dantes III.
Manila, Philippines, 24 February 2015 – The search for the 12th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) victors came to a close as President Aquino III and Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. Vice Chairperson, Juan Ramon Felix, awarded the 10 most outstanding youth groups from the 20 finalists named in November last year, at Malacanang Palace.
For the past 12 years, the TAYO Awards Foundation Inc., in partnership with the National Youth Commission and the Office of Senator Bam Aquino, has and is continuing to recognize youth groups across the country who have made exceptional contributions to national development through wide-reaching impact, innovative resourcefulness, and sustainability of the programs implemented in their chosen communities. Today, the TAYO Awards has become a widely recognized honor for nation building.
After screening more than a hundred entries from organizations across the country, the following emerged triumphant, with projects that are deemed sustainable, impactful, creative, and reflective of the true spirit of volunteerism and citizenship:
(In no particular order)
- Kanlungan Pilipinas Movement Inc. (Balay Kanlungan)
- Phi Lambda Delta Sorority (Milk Matters)
- Red Cross Youth and Junior Rescue Team (Disaster Management Eco-Raft)
- Youth for Environment in School Organization (Mangrove Reforestation Program)
- Katipunan ng mga Kabataang Santiagueno (Agricultural Waste to Energy)
- Indigenous Youth Servant Leaders Association of the Philippines (Pondong 2B’s para sa IP’s)
- Access-PYLP Alumni Association, Inc. (Project RISE)
- Move this World – Philippines Inc.. (Empathy-Based Programming through Games and Creative Expression for Bullying Prevention)
- University of San Agustin Little Theater [USALT] (Project IMAGINE|A|NATION)
- Rescue Assistance Peacekeeping Intelligence Detail, Inc. (Saving Lives Program)
In 2014, TAYO received close to 400 entries – in which majority of the projects focused on environmental protection, health and wellness, medical services, disaster recovery, education, entrepreneurship, and keeping the cultures and traditions of the Philippines alive.
Being a company that has been a pioneer of key sustainability programs that focus on wellbeing, women, and youth empowerment, Coca-Cola is upholding its commitment to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities around the world. “We are very pleased to help address challenges and foster sustainable causes and communities through the programs they develop,” says Atty. Adel Tamano, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications, Coca-Cola Philippines.
“Our partnership with TAYO has gone a long way in the past 10 years. We are very proud to co-present and award these youth organizations for their significant contributions to society. While only 10 groups are awarded out of the 20 finalists, and the hundreds of other groups that applied – I would like to commend all your efforts and commitment. You are all winners for being of service to other people and to your respective communities,” adds Juan Ramon Felix, Vice Chairperson, Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.
About the TAYO Awards and the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.
Since it started in 2002, thousands of organizations from all over the country have joined the TAYO awards, entering their nation building projects, hoping to win a cash grant and to be part of the recognized ten for their service to their specific sectors. It is established as the country’s only award giving body that recognizes and supports outstanding contributions of youth organizations to the Philippines.
The awardees win a Php50,000 cash grant given by Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc. (CCFPI) to support the winners’ causes and receive a specially sculpted trophy from renowned Filipino sculptor, Toym de Leon Imao.
Coke Barkada Award
Apart from the TAYO awards, a special category dubbed the “Coke Barkada Award” was also recognized during the ceremony. The award and additional cash grant was given to the Red Cross Youth and Junior Rescue Team for their project, ‘Disaster Management Eco-Raft’ as recognition for embodying the qualities of a true Coke Barkada Ambassador – a group that shares happiness, and in changing communities through projects that mirror what Coca-Cola has been doing in the fields of water stewardship, women empowerment, and promoting well-being.
The ‘Disaster Management Eco-Raft’ is a project headed by the youth volunteers of The Red Cross and Junior Rescue Team who are committed to help communities respond to natural disasters and reduce damages brought about by typhoons, flooding and other calamities. The group is dedicated to help communities be skillful and innovative by turning 465 waste plastic bottles into a raft used in rescue operations and at the same time turn junk into an eco-friendly equipment that can save more lives.
For more information on the TAYO Awards, you may visit www.tayoawards.net.
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