Last February 19, TOFIL (The Outstanding Filipino) Award for this year was launched with the theme “Inspiring the Nation for Peace.” The award, a joint project of JCI Senate Philippines and ANSA Foundation has been around for 29 years and honors men and women 41 years and above whose exemplary achievements are worthy of emulation. For 27 years the project had a fruitful partnership with the Insular Life Assurance Co. headed by its chairman, President Vicente R. Ayllon. An individual, public or private entity or organization may nominate a candidate for any, but not limited to, the following fields: Agriculture, Arts/Culture, Business/Entrepreneurship/Industry, Community/Humanitarian Service, Ecclesiastical/Religious Work, Ecological/Environmental Conservation, Economics/Finance, Education, Public Service, History, Justice/Law, Labor, Literature, Journalism/Media, Medicine, Military/Policework, Science and Technolology, Sports, Peace advocacy, Technopeneurship, Others (Please specify). Awardees are not merely chosen on the basis of their accomplishments in these fields but on the “strength of their character and integrity; and the impact of their achievements on their field of work, public welfare, and national development.” As 2020 National President Rene T. Natividad noted, the theme is timely as the conflicts that have pervaded the world in recent times. JCI Senate-TOFIL Foundation President Rogelio V. Garcia sees present challenges as “windows wide open for us to look for Filipinos who would stand tall amongst the crowd; Filipinos who are brave enough to fence the change and responsible enough to herd socially-oriented individuals.” National Chairman TOFIL Awards 2020 Rene A. Balatbat and Anthony Philip Nocom, ANSA Foundation president, likewise noted the timeliness of the theme as we look forward to how the award can be made a catalyst of change. Among the three lady JCI senators who chaired committees were the attractive and dynamic Lia Seelin, Arline de Jesus, and Lourdes Soto. Among past awardees are Fe del Mundo, Cecilia Muñoz Palma, Marcelo Fernan, Lucrecia Kasilag, Manuel Manahan, Jovito Salonga, Renato Constantino, Alfredo Buenaventura, Helena Benitez, Ramon V. del Rosario, Hilario G. Davide, Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Emil Q. Javier, Enrique Zobel, Esperanza Cabral, Flerida Ruth Romero, Jose Concepcion, Emerlinda Roman, William Dar, Jose Cuisia, George S.K. Ty, Gemma C. Araneta, Adolf Azcuna, Fr. Benigno Beltran, Jose Salceda, Jose Joya, Rogelio Singson, Nelia Maramba, Irene Cortes, Ameurfina Herrera, Corazon de la Paz, Lydia Echauz, Salvador Laurel, Federico Macaranas, Onofre Pagsanghan, Gelia Castillo, Alfonso Yuchengco, Jaime Cardinal Sin, and Richard Gordon. The eminent architect Felino Palafox Jr., also a past awardee who was guest speaker, in a video presentation of the two future “smart” cities — Metro Davao and Clark New City, noted that our country, is on the region’s top five in marine biodiversity, and our record as a sailor’s haven, and performance in the BDO (call center) and medical fields, as well as human resources. Our country has so much development potential and we could be in the world’s top 20 if the 3 C’s – corruption, criminality, and climate change can be adequately addressed, he said. He and his associates have designed an architectural master plan that puts together best practices, follows the “green model” and connects Lifestyle, Leisure, Technological, and Work districts. He believes that Davao and Clark could be the country’s first “smart” cities and the much awaited “Aerotropolis” of Asia. The development of green urban infrastructure in these two cities will facilitate the realization of “safe” cities and the challenge of integrating agriculture in the urban landscape. There will be bicycle lanes to entice walking. This ecology approach in the design of cities incorporates people or social equity, planet earth and the environment, profit, culture, history and heritage, and interfaith spirituality, he said. Deadline for the TOFIL nomination is August 31. Website: www.jcisenatephilippines.org, Email: [email protected] My email, [email protected]