The JCI Senate Philippines and Insular Life jointly launched the 2010 Search for The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) in simple ceremonies at the Insular Life Building in Makati City.

JCI Senate Philippines National President JCI Sen. Bernard C. Ong and Insular Chairman of the Board and CEO Vicente R. Ayllón led guests, which included JCI Senators, Insular executives, and past TOFIL Awardees in officially opening this year’s search for top Filipino Achievers. 

2009 TOFIL Awardee for Business Oscar M. Lopez was the event’s guest Speaker. He shared how the Lopez Group of Companies, which he heads, has been espousing excellence and discipline since the first Lopezes set foot in the country during the 18^th Century. “It is essential that the pursuit of excellence is anchored on the values attendant to the Lopez Group’s public service philosophy:  the spirit of pioneering entrepreneurship, business performance excellence, a strong sense of social justice and corporate social responsibility, nationalism, teamwork, strong work ethic, integrity and an overriding concern for employee welfare and wellness...all that I can claim is that I have built upon the work of the generations of Lopezes before me, who in their own times chose ‘disciplined thought, and disciplined action’ to move the business forward.”

Meanwhile, in his message, Mr. Ayllón shared the reason behind Insular’s continued support to TOFIL. “TOFIL gives us the vehicle by which to impart to our young people and to the rest of our nation the message that we can continue to have hope: hope for new beginnings, hope that we ourselves have the capacity to define our lives and improve the conditions of our community and our country.”

During the event, Ong also inducted the 2010 TOFIL Executive Committee, which is headed this year by TOFIL National Chair JCI Senator Luis T. Pabalan, Jr. The program also gave way to the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement between TOFIL and The Philippine Star, the official print media partner of TOFIL. TOFIL’s column, “Great Leaders in our Midst” is published in the Philippine Star.

TOFIL is an annual recognition program which recognizes men and women, 41 years and above, who have excelled in their fields of endeavor and contributed significantly to the upliftment of the lives of their fellow Filipinos in particular, and humanity, in general. On its 23^rd year, TOFIL has already recognized 104 outstanding Filipinos. Last year, the TOFIL Awardees, aside from Mr. Lopez, were Teotimo M. Aganon, PhD. For Science and Technology; Senen C. Bacani for Agriculture; Arturo C. Cunanan, Jr., M.D. for Public Health; and Lydia B. Echauz, Ph.D. for Education.

Nomination forms for the 2010 TOFIL Award are available at the JCI Senate Philippines Secretariat at 2/F Jaycee Building, 14 Don Alejandro Roces Ave., Quezon City, tel. nos. 374-4390 and 412-5662, and through JCI Senate Chapter offices nationwide. Forms may also be downloaded from www.tofil.ph. Deadline for submission of nominations is on August 31, 2010.