Search begins for 2025 TOFIL awardees honoring outstanding Filipinos
By Jel Santos
Nominations are now open for the 2025 search for The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awards, a nationwide initiative to recognize “remarkable Filipinos aged 41 and above whose integrity, excellence, and service have made a lasting mark on the country.”
The annual awards program is spearheaded by the JCI Senate Philippines in partnership with the Ropali Group of Companies, which formally launched this year’s search.
Organizers said TOFIL is “one of the most esteemed honors for Filipino individuals who have dedicated themselves to uplifting their profession, advancing public welfare, and contributing to nation-building.”
Since its founding in 1988, the awards have honored “pioneers in government, education, business, social development, and more.”
To qualify, nominees “must be Filipino citizens, natural-born, naturalized, or dual, and must exemplify a strong moral character, proven leadership, and a commitment to service. They must be 41 years old or older at the time of nomination and must have significantly impacted their field or the broader community.”
Candidates may be nominated under the following categories: “Government, Private Sector, Academic Community, Non-Government/Civil Society Organizations, and past The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Honorees.” Organizers noted that “JCI Senators and previous TOYM recipients may also be considered under their designated categories.”
Each nomination must include “a completed nomination form, birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Police and National Bureau of Investigation clearances, formal portrait, a two-page executive summary, and a detailed portfolio of achievements and service.”
“All nominations must be received in both hardcopy and softcopy formats no later than 23 August 2025,” organizers said.
“Submissions with complete documentation will be acknowledged by 31 August 2025. Incomplete nominations will not be considered for judging,” they added.
Organizers emphasized that “the TOFIL Awards follow a stringent selection process based on the JCI Creed, placing high value on service to humanity, personal integrity, and national contribution.”