TAYO FINALIST. Xavier Ateneo Night School Program head coordinator Jerome "Jett" Torres and volunteer-teacher Edchelle Rellama receive the trophy from the 16th TAYO Awards and the prize as the Lenovo Outstanding Tech Visionary Award. Supplied photo.
The Xavier Ateneo Night School Program was recognized as one of the finalists during the 16th TAYO Awards and Lenovo Outstanding Tech Visionary Awards last January 24 at the GSIS Teatro in Pasay City.
The Search for Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) is the sole award-giving body that recognizes formal and non-formal youth organizations for their contributions in nation building through projects and programs that solve challenges on education, environment, culture and the arts, livelihood, and health.
“We aim to become an inspiration to the children and catalyze their commitment to pursue their education,” said program head coordinator Jett Torres.
This search is annually conducted and is co-presented by Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and San Miguel Corporation, sponsored by Ayala Corporation, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Smart Communications, and Megaworld Corporation, and Lenovo Philippines as its IT partner.
Edchelle Rellama, one of the night school's volunteer-teacher, presented the program during the national judging at the Senate of the Philippines.
The 2019 search had over 300 entries nationwide. However, only 20 Filipino youth organizations were chosen during the final awarding in the areas of education, health, environment, culture, and livelihood with 22 member-panelists from different government agencies and civil society groups.
These youth organizations included:
Culture, Arts, and Heritage Category
Binhi Creatives (Bacolod)
Cuartero National High School Taliamba Ensemble (Capiz)
University of San Agustin Little Theater (Iloilo)
UP Visayas College of Management Student Council Inc (Iloilo)
Education and Technology Category
Tau-Spartan LeadCom (Tawi-Tawi)
The Sun Crew (Siargao)
Xavier University Night School Program (Cagayan de Oro)
Tuklas Katutubo, Lumabat Chapter (Saranggani)
Environment, Disaster Risk Reduction, and Climate Change Adaptation Category
Association of Young Environmental Journalists (Dumaguete)
Centre for Sustainability PH Inc (Puerto Princesa)
Ecowatch - Ateneo de Zamboanga University (Zamboanga)
Kidlikasan.Kabataan.Kalikasan (General Santos)
Health, Well-Being, and Human Development Category
Aqilah (Marawi)
MIMAROPA Young Leader (Oriental Mindoro)
Philippine Accessible Disability Services Inc (Cebu)
Team BakUNAWA (Iloilo)
Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Category
FLMIS YES-O (Iligan)
Food SECURE Philippines (North Cotabato)
Junior Chambers International Central Davao (Davao)
Karaw Craftventures (Naga)
Xavier Ateneo Night School Program is grateful for the accomplishment in weaving the dreams of the street children and out-of-school youth in Cagayan de Oro City through its creative interventions and innovations.
By strengthening the collaboration and partnership with the CDO Department of Education - Alternative Learning System, City Social Welfare Department, private companies, and other stakeholders, the program believes it “can truly give hope and empower these young people in the city.”∎