IT'S TOYM TIME! (December 22, 2008)

Hindi kami boksingerong makapagpapabagsak
Sa antas ng krimen sa kabisera raw ng kidnap.
Wala kaming alam na pag-uubusan ng lakas
Kundi ang sumuntok sa buwan ng aming pangarap.

Ngunit kaya ni PATRICK patakbuhin ang turista
Sa pinakaunang karerang Mardi Gras sa Asya.
Kaya rin ni LYNDON, na henyo sa agrikultura,
Na paluhain sa kanyang sili sina Barrera.

Kung sa halaman siya, sa hayop nagsasaliksik
Si ORVILLE na nangibambansa at saka bumalik.
Kung sa Los Baños siya, sa Maynila naman si RICK
Na tumuklas ng bagong paraan ng pagtitistis.

Kung siya ay sa puso, si ALLAN sa pagkatao
Hindi lang ng Filipino kundi ng kahit sino.
Gaya ng kanyang kaapelyidong si JAY BERNARDO,
Siya rin ay unibersal hindi lamang klasiko.

Wala ngang iniwan kay KENNETH at sa kanyang likha
Na dinadala sa langit ang sino mang humiga.
Walang ipinagkaiba sa kuwentong pambata
Ni LUIS na ang adhika ng akda ay kalinga.

Para kay JOHN, wala ni isang tulong na kaunti
Sa lupaing naipit sa gitna ng pagkasawi.
At akong ang panitikan ay walang ibang mithi
Kundi aral, aliw, at pagkabuhay na mag-uli!

Tinatanggap namin ang gawad sa ngalan ng Diyos
Na hindi lahat ng dasal namin ay sinasagot,
Sa ngalan ng bayang pilit naming pinagbubuklod
Kahit pa may ari, uri, at lahing nagbubukod.

Handog din namin ito sa aming mga kadugong
Laging kapiling sa tagumpay at sa pagkabigo.
Sa pagkakataong ito, mangyari pong tumayo
Sila ang dahilan kung bakit di kami sumuko.

Salamat po nang marami sa pamilya ng Jaycee
Sa pagpili ng inampalang pinili ay kami.
At salamat din po sa mahal nating Presidente
Na – tulad ni Pacquiao – itinuring kaming bayani!

Five years ago, we just got lucky to do the acceptance speech at the Malacañang Palace's Rizal Hall on behalf on 2003 The Outstanding Young Men: Allan Bernardo (psychology and education), Francisco Bernardo III (entrepreneurship), Kenneth Cobonpue (arts/design/entrepreneurship), Orville Bondoc (animal breeding/genetics), Luis Gatmaitan (literature), Patrick Gregorio (tourism management), John Ong (community service), Ricardo Quintos II (vascular surgery), and Lyndon Co Tan (agriculture and food technology).

Poetic lines became prophetic when, after a year, our tokayo, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao – before becoming Pandaigdig na Kamao after demolishing the Golden Boy – won the TOYM 2004, with no less than Sharon Cuneta as his batchmate.

Last Saturday, the formal ceremony was held again at the official presidential residence, with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the Guest of Honor, to give the TOYM 2008 award to the following: Antonio Andres Alfonso (Science and Technology). Dr. Alfonso is currently the head of the Philippine Rice Research Institute’s (PhilRice) Plant Breeding and Biotechnology Division. Rex Adivoso Bernardo (Community Service). Despite being stricken with polio at a very young age and having been denied the privilege of early education, Mr. Bernardo was determined to overcome his physical and psychological obstacles and eventually emerge victorious over his personal struggles. Christian Joseph Rili Cumagun (Agricultural Science). Dr. Cumagun is one of the country’s most accomplished experts in agricultural science of his generation. Kristin Karen Lising Davila (Broadcast Journalism). Ms. Davila is a news anchor and investigative journalist in ABS-CBN. Joseph Felix Mari Hotchkiss Durano (Ecological Tourism). Hon. Durano is the Department of Tourism secretary.

The Fave Five happen to be the 50th batch of honorees since the search was first launched in 1959 by Junior Chamber International Philippines (formerly Philippine Jaycees).

This year’s distinguished Board of Judges was chaired by former Philippine Ambassador to the United States, Hon. Albert del Rosario with members Alfredo Antonio (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Monetary Board member), Ryan Cayabyab (award-winning conductor and composer), Edgardo G. Lacson (Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president), Hon. Maria Gracia Cielo M. Padaca (Isabela governor), Hon. Henrietta T. De Villa (Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting president), and Gen. Alexander B. Yano (Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff).

We happened to be a part of Screening Panel chaired by Feny delos Angeles-Bautista (1993 for Social Education) with Dr. Queena Lee-Chua (1997 for Education) and, coincidentally, with some of the TOYM 2006 winners -- Michael Allen Cacnio (Sculpture), Dr. Mariella Castillo (Child Protection), Federico Hizon (Journalism), and Viviene Tan (Education) -- when we sat as a Screening Committee member too!

TOYM 2008 Search, by the way, is headed by JCI Member Ramfel Reynoso Preclaro, who was JCI Philippines’ Executive Director. He is assisted by John Joseph Gabriel Puzon, Arnold Valencia, Gemma Sapnu, Ruben Bulaong, Hilario G. Cruz II, and Soledad V. Magtuto. Atty. Mabel V. Mamba and Reginald T. Yu serve as this year’s advisers.

The TOYM Award is widely recognized as the country’s most prestigious recognition for young men and women whose selfless dedication to their field resulted to significant contributions to the country and our countrymen.

During the University of the Philippines Centennial Lantern Parade last December 17 we were on the side of the planet, hosting with our TOYM 2003 co-winner for Literature, Doc Luis, the launch of Ani 34, the annual literary anthology of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Literary Arts Division. Focusing on the theme “Spirituality and Healing”, the book includes prose and poetry of Kris Alingod, Mark Angeles, Lilia Antonio, Mae Aquino, Carlos Arejola, Edgar Bacong, Isabela Banzon, Janet Tauro Batuigas, Gil Beltran, Herminio Beltran Jr., Kristoffer Berse, Jaime Jesus Borlagdan, Nazzer Briguera, Catherine Candano, Desiree Caluza, Nonon Carandang, Dexter Cayanes, Jason Chancoco, Joey Stephanie Chua, Kristian Cordero, Genaro Gojo Cruz, Mario Cuezon, Maureen dela Cruz, Rodrigo dela Peña, Jr., U Eliserio, Dennis Espada, Filipino Estacio, Rogerick Fernandez, Raul Funilas, Nena Gajudo-Fernandez, Jeneen Garcia, Luis Gatmaitan, Fernando Gonzalez, Erwin Lareza, Jeffrey Lubang, Nestor Lucena, Melba Padilla Maggay, Perry Mangilaya, Noahlyn Maranan, Francisco Monteseña, Ursula Nelson, Wilhelmina Orozco, Chuckberry Pascual, Noel Pinggoy, Dinah Roma-Sianturi, Hope Sabanpan-Yu, Joseph Salazar, Romel Samson, Aida Santos, Rakki Sison-Buban, Beverly Siy, Jason Genio Tabinas, Reynaldo Tamayo, Jr., Vincent Lester Tan, Dolores Taylan, Enrico Torralba, Gerardo Torres, Joel Vega, Gina Verdolaga, Santiago Villafania, Ana Maria Yugalca, and Manuel Zacarias. For inquiries on the next issue of Ani, which will delve on the experiences of the Filipinos in general and the Filipino writer in particular as members of the Asian community, please send an e-mail to aniyearbook@yahoo.com or contact Betty Uy-Regala at 0906-2604175; 832-1125 local 1706.

TEXT SUPPORT:
Now that San Miguel has bought into Meralco the power company shall be known as San Mig Light. San Miguel also bought 40% of Petron, are they coming up with Diet Blaze and Unleaded Pilsen?
CONSIDER THIS:
A Fableman browsing in a store got shocked to see God selling.
He asked: “Lord, what are You selling?” God said: “Whatever your heart desires!” So the man answered: “I want peace of mind, happiness, and freedom from fear for me and the whole world.” God replied, smiling: “I don't sell fruits here. Only seeds!”