ORGANIZERS of The Outstanding Filipino (Tofil) Awards are seeking to have more awardees coming from Davao and Mindanao.
Junior Chamber International (JCI) Senate Philippines, commonly known as Jaycees, kicked off its Tofil Legacy of Service Awards 2026 Mindanao campaign on July 25 at Rogen Inn, Davao City, aimed at broadening the awards’ reach across the region.
A flagship project of JCI Senate Philippines, the Tofil is a search for distinguished Filipinos, 41 years old and above, who exemplify excellence, leadership, and nation-building.
The recipients are chosen in the fields of agriculture, arts/culture, business/entrepreneur, industry, community, humanitarian service, ecclesiastical/religious work, ecology/environment conservation, economics, finance, education, government/public service, history, justice, law, labor, literature, media/journalism, medicine, military/police work, science and technology, sports, peace advocacy, techpreneurship.
JCI Senate PH’s Dino Ferdinand Galido, 2026 Tofil national chairman, said that for the past 38 years of the awards, there is no recipient yet coming from Davao.
“We are approaching the award-giving bodies in Davao sama aning Datu Bago Awards kaning Lead Award o Leaders and Achievers of Davao, kani sila recipient na sa field, so try nato,” Galido said.
(They are already recipients in their fields – we will try to approach them.)
A native of Davao City and currently based in Manila, Galido says they are working on bids of several Dabawenyos who are previous awardees. One of the persons they have approached is famed visual artist Kublai Millan.
“We have approached other leaders of their community and business industry, hopefully they will be chosen,” Galido said.
He also encouraged the public to nominate. They can visit the Facebook page of JCI Senate Philippines to download the Tofil catalogue and the nomination form. This year’s Tofil search is held in partnership with Noble Home Corporation. PIA DAVAO
