Did you Know?

Bam Aquino [via ANC]

Two Filipinos made it to the list of 2012 Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP) for their contribution in healthcare and social enterprise.

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana in the field of Humanitarian and/or Voluntary Leadership and Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino in the field of Business, Economic and/or Entrepreneurial Accomplishment won the prestigious award given to professionals below the age of 40.

Aquino is the first cousin of President Aquino. The TOYP winner is the son of Paul Aquino, younger brother of the late senator Benigno Aquino Jr.

The other TOYP winners are from Botswana, Catalonia, Ireland, Madagascar, Maldives, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe.

In its website, US-based Junior Chamber International (JCI) said that the TOYP was organized to “formally recognize young people who excel in their chosen fields and create positive change.”

“By recognizing these young people, JCI raises the status of socially responsible leaders in this world. The honorees motivate their peers to seek excellence and serve others. Their stories of discovery, determination and ingenuity inspire young people to be better leaders and create better societies,” JCI noted.

JCI added this year’s TOYP were chosen “for their exemplary service to the communities and the world.”

Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana

The website showed that Salvana “turned his knowledge and career in healthcare into a way to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS.”

“After discovering an increase of HIV/AIDS cases in his home country, he started a vigorous awareness and research campaign long before the Philippine government officially recognized the epidemic. Dr. Salvana also works with the disease globally, delivering educational, action-oriented speeches about the HIV/AIDS to the United Nations and the United States Peace Corps,” the website said.

The website also showed that Aquino, who was “exposed to the poverty and struggles of his fellow citizens as a child, developed a sense of hard work, compassion and a desire to help people help themselves out of hardship.” “He set out to use his leadership skills and education to take action at the grassroots level. Aquino and a friend founded Microventures Inc., a social enterprise supporting micro-financing institutions to provide business development opportunities for the poor, with a special focus on underprivileged women,” it added.

(Story courtesy of Sheila Crisostomo of the Philippine Star)