I first heard of the TOYM when then Mayor Estrada was chosen as one of the winners.  He was legendary—a matinee idol tuned mayor who personally accosted thugs late in the evening.  And then came choices who were truly outstanding—my Department of Finance (DOF) Bosses, Messrs. Bobby de Ocampo, Ramon Del Rosario, and Senator Win Gatchalian.  But there were choices who were not that outstanding, and many others who were not chosen, but are more outstanding.

So it was with a sense of wonder and curiosity that I welcomed an invitation to be part of the TOYM’s Board of Judges for 2020.  I was to work with a group of total strangers.  It did not help that we were introduced to each other through a zoom meeting.

A group of former TOYM awardees screened the 90 nominations and presented their choices of the Top 20.  The Board was given two weeks to review all the nominations.  Their accomplishments were quite impressive —research studies, innovations, inventions, and public service. We then shared our choices over a sumptuous lunch.  I found myself quite timid in the presence of our Chair, Supreme Court Justice Rosmari Carandang who initially looked so stern.  In the end, I found her to be most kind and solicitous of our views.

I was star struck in the presence of Rico Hizon who I only saw when I watched BBC news.  I felt privileged to work with Kenneth Cobonpue, an internationally renowned furniture designer and manufacturer.  I found wisdom and grace listening to the UP Chancellor, Dr. Carmencita  Padilla.  Randy Halasan looked at the nominees from the lens of the marginalized.  Atty. Francis Lim, being President of MAP, assessed their management skills. 

To hasten the process, we agreed that the five nominees who got most of the votes were already winners.  We decided to interview those who were not in the magic 5.

Our interview with a nominee took more than 45 minutes.  I thought that it would take us until Christmas Eve to interview all the finalists.  I then volunteered to be a “referee and a timekeeper”.  It was difficult because many of them had interesting stories that could serve as plot to “Maalaala mo kaya” ( a TV series of inspiring stories).

Then came the third round of consensus building.  We grappled with questions such as adopting affirmative action based on gender, region, and cultural groups.  The Board decided that no such action would be taken and we will  choose nominees whose excellence went beyond self and served their communities and country well.  We went on a second round of interviews including those whom we thought were already winners. 

We met again over dinner hosted by the TOYM Foundation President, Mr. Donnie Tantoco.    Openness was a great virtue of the Board.  We were there not to convince each other but to learn and appreciate diverse points of views.

To their credit, the Foundation officers left us on our own and made no suggestion to influence our choices.  In the end, the Board decided to award only seven.  We did not cast votes, and happily made a decision by listening to each other, reflecting on what we heard, debating, and resolving conflicts.

Building a consensus requires time, openness and candidness.  But unlike voting where the majority wins, conflict is avoided and the decision is owned by the group.  We can all say, “Pwedeng ipagtanggol sa Plaza Miranda.” (We can defend our choices in Plaza Miranda.)

It was both a joy and a privilege to be part of the process of choosing the 2020 TOYM.

[email protected]