MANILA, Philippines — In a generation crying out desperately for role models, five outstanding Filipinos are out to show the way. In its 24th year, JCI Senate Philippines and The Insular Life Assurance Co., Ltd. will hold the 2011. The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) awards that will send a strong message to today’s generation that there are still bright spots of hope and heroism in the nation.

The TOFIL awards annually pay tribute to the country’s men and women, 41 years and above, who have contributed significantly to the upliftment of the lives of their fellow Filipinos in particular, and humanity, in general.

The 2011 awardees are: Dr. Jesus P. Estanislao for Governance; Dr. Ramon Nery for Government/Public Service; Mr. Jose Pardo for Business; Ms. Sylvia Pendon for Entrepreneurship; and Dr. Emerlinda Roman for Education.

Dr. Estanislao, former Finance Secretary and an accomplished academic, will be honored for his roles in carrying out successful fiscal reforms during the administration of the late President Corazon Aquino, in being the architect of the rehabilitation of government financial institutions, and in carrying out governance reforms in both the public and private sectors.

Dr. Nery is being awarded for his untiring work in the poorest provinces in Mindanao, where he initiated a host of reforms to improve the services of public hospitals and alleviate the ailing healthcare situation. His pioneering work in voluntary blood services program saved thousands of lives and became a model for similar initiatives in the future.

Mr. Pardo, former Trade and Industry Secretary, is being cited for pioneering the franchising model in the country that continues to drive the economic engine. The current Chairman of the Philippine Stock Exchange is also one of the earliest to push for Corporate Social Responsibility decades before it became a key part of business.

Ms. Pendon is being cited for pioneering the organic food movement in Palawan and empowering hundreds of women as a home economics teacher. This octogenarian broke new ground in the country’s cottage industry by introducing Philippine handicrafts to the world and creating a lucrative export market that we still benefit from today.

Dr. Roman deserves recognition for her accomplishments, not only for being the first woman president of the University of the Philippines, but also for being a model educator for more than 30 years. UP’s centennial president ushered the country’s National University into its second century with notable improvements in the areas of infrastructure, curriculum development, fiscal capability, and public service.

They will join a roster of 116 other Filipinos who have been recognized as Outstanding Filipinos. The TOFIL is a joint project of the JCI Senate Philippines and Insular Life since 1988.