Officially on its 11th year of empowering the youth to become nation builders, TAYO Foundation and Coca-Cola Philippines conclude the latest search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations of the Philippines, in a ceremony held February 06 at Malacanang Palace.
Secretary to the Cabinet of the Philippines Jose Rene Almendras, along with Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines, presented the awards to the top ten organizations out of the twenty finalists announced last October. After screening more than a hundred entries from organizations across the country, the following have emerged triumphant, with projects that are deemed sustainable, impactful, creative, and reflective of the true spirit of volunteerism and citizenship:
- Gualandi Volunteer Service Program (Visayas) for their project: “Break The Silence Network Project”
- Association of Locally Empowered Youth-NM (Mindanao) for their project: “Disadvantaged Urban Youth Entrepreneurship, Organic Vegetable Production,Food Processing and Marketing Project
- Hayag Youth Organization (Visayas) for their project: “Langoy Para Sa Kaluwasan”
- Kawil Tours (Luzon) for their project: “Kawil Tours-Reconnecting Isla Culion through Tourism”
- Tanay Mountaineers Incorporated (Luzon) for their project: “DISASTER RISK REDUCTION ADVOCACY PROGRAM – Empowering the Youth in Building a Resilient Disaster Community”
- TC Youth Laboratory Cooperative (Mindanao) for their project: “Financial Literacy for Youth Program”
- United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary – Foundation University Chapter (Visayas) for their project: “ESTUDIO DAMGO – DUNGGA DAYCARE CENTER”
- Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid (NCR) for their project: “Break Realizing Dreams through Education; Building Hope through Small Acts of Love”
- Volunteer Service Provider (Mindanao) for their project: “Developing Ocean’s Man-Made Eco-Friendly Shelters (D.O.M.E.S.)”
10. University of San Carlos-Pathways (Visayas) for their project: “Bridging The Gap (BTG)”
This year, TAYO received a total of 286 entries—majority of which are focused on environmental protection, medical services, disaster recovery, education, and entrepreneurship.
The Coca-Cola Commitment
“We have always been committed to make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and communities around the world by embedding sustainability into our business and making it part of everything we do. We are honored that similar to our commitment, these youth organizations have dedicated their time and effort to help address challenges and foster sustainable causes and communities through the different programs that they have developed,” says Guillermo Aponte, President and General Manager of Coca-Cola Philippines. .
“We have been partners with TAYO for over 9 years and we’re very proud to co-present and award these organizations for their significant contributions to society. While only 10 groups are awarded out of the 20 finalists, and the hundreds of organizations that applied, all are winners when it comes to being of service to other people,” he added.
About the TAYO Awards and the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines, Inc.
Since its start 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 Team BUNDOL Mountaineers as recognition for embodying the qualities of a true Coke Barkada Ambassador – a group that shares happiness, and passion-driven in changing communities through projects that mirrors what Coca-Cola has been doing in the fields of water stewardship, women empowerment, and promoting well-being.
The Team BUNDOL Mountaineers entered their project called ‘EcoTrek’, an annual mountaineering activity that advocates tourism, education, and environmental protection, one sitio at a time. They invite other enthusiasts and mountaineering groups to participate in the activity alongside planting trees in the area, and bringing books and school supplies to the sitios they visit.
For more information on the TAYO Awards, you may visit www.tayoawards.net.