El Consejo Atenista, the student government of Ateneo de Zamboanga University, was adjudged as one of the 2009 national winners of the 7th Search for the Ten accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) in the Philippines. The Consejo now holds the first TAYO title for Zamboanga-based youth groups.
TAYO Awards is the country’s leading search for outstanding youth-oriented groups. It recognized El Consejo Atenista in its efforts to unify the Ateneo studentry amidst differences and diversity in interests towards a culture of empowerment and social engagement through their project entry tagged as “Rewired: The I-Hate-Apathy Program.” The program provides an offshoot of initiatives on leadership and management, environment, social involvement, political engagement, education, school-based activities, and awareness campaigns.
El Consejo, together with nine other TAYO Awardees, were recognized and awarded at the Renaissance Hotel, Makati City, on October 28 this year. They were granted a trophy and a cash prize worth Php 50,000 to fund future projects or to continue long-term programs.
The ADZU student government and its project entry was presented and defended by their President Christian Olasiman among a panel of judges which included TAYO President Bam Aquino, Undersecretary of the National Youth Commission Richie Nalupta, Coca-Cola Foundation President Cecile Alcantara, DSWD Director Violeta Cruz, 1st TAYO Awards winner John Piermont Montilla, Executive Director of Batobalani Foundation Ching Jorge, Philippine Star columnist J. Vincent Sarabia Ong, Managing Director of Intelligent Skin Care, Inc. Cristalle Belo Henares, Backroom Entertainment President and TV host Boy Abunda, and TAYO founder Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“The search was an exhilarating experience which I really enjoyed. It was an opportunity for us young leaders to be more inspired to make a difference and realize that this country is indeed our own to earn, shape and lead. Our victory in this prestigious search is an epitome of the different initiatives of young people across the city that improves the lives of our people in our schools and communities. El Consejo Atenista is sharing this triumph to all youth groups in the Zamboanga who are also creating their own ripples of change” attested El Consejo Atenista President Christian Olasiman.
TAYO was launched in September 2002 through the initiative of Senator Kiko Pangilinan and is organized yearly in partnership with the National Youth Commission and the TAYO Awards Foundation and presented by Coca Cola Foundation.
