The 9th  search for the Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations in the country ended last Thursday with President Noynoy Aquino III honoring and presenting the awards to the 10 winners in Malacañang.

The winners, chosen from 200 aspirants all over the country, are youth groups or organizations, that were chosen based on the projects they have initiated and which left a big impact to the community. The winners were graded based on the sustainability of the projects, the capability to bind the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship, creativity and innovation, and their effective use of resources.

The search started in 2002 by the TAYO Awards Foundation, in partnership with the Office of Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and the National Youth Commission. It aims to recognize and support the outstanding contributions of the youth in the development of their local communities, schools and work place, through their novel and valuable projects.

Since its inception, the search has gone through several innovations.

Co-presented by Coca-Cola Foundation Phils., the year’s search showcases youth organizations that have deep commitment in addressing social concerns such as alleviating the need for the community healthcare by using herbal medicines, teaching accounting to marginalized cooperatives, promoting and preserving cultural heritage and the arts and environmental conservation.

The winners received a specially-sculpted TAYO trophy by artist  Toym de Leon Imao and a P50,000 cash grant from Coca-Cola Foundation.

Special recognitions, namely the Coke Barkada Award from the Coke foundation and the Lenovo Young Do-ers IT Award from Lenovo Phils. were given to deserving finalists.

This year’s TAYO winners are Linangan sa Imahen, Retorika at Anyo (LIRA) – Quezon City; Indak Kabataan Youth Organization – Muntinlupa City; University of the Cordillersa – Hapiyoh Mi Cultural Group – Baguio City; Sama-samang Tinig ng mga Aktor na Gumagalaw sa Entablado (AUL-STAGE) – Legazpi City; Aklan Catholic College Junior Philippine Institute of Accountant – Aklan; Alyansa ng mga Kristiyanong Mag-aaral – Responsible nga Baliktaan Han mga Kabataan (AKMA-RESBAK) – Tacloban City; Industrial Engineering Council of CIT University, Cebu City; Young Mindanaoans Peace Builders – Maguindanao; Youth Solidarity for Peace – Peace Advocates of Zamboanga – Zamboanga City; Association of Locally Empowered Youth in Northern Mindanao (ALEY NM) – Misamis Oriental. The Coke Barkada Award was given to KAIROS of Los Banos, Laguna for their project “Off the Street, on to School.”

Present during the awarding ceremony were Sen. Francis Pangilinan, TAYO Awards Foundation President Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino, National Youth Commission Chairman and CEO Leon Flores III; Coca-Cola Export Corp. Phils. President and General Manager Guillermo Aponte, Lenovo-ASEAN Executive Director and General Manager Koh Kong Meng and Secretary Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office.