2025 Tofil Awards honor outstanding Filipinos

TOFIL AWARDEES Receiving top honors are (from left) Rene Meily, Sen. JV Ejercito, Maria Minerva Calimag, Alfredo Pascual and Neil Aldrin Mallari. —CONTRIBUTED

Junior Chamber International Senate Philippines (JCI) formally conferred the 2025 The Outstanding Filipino (Tofil) Awards in ceremonies held recently at the Palawan Ballroom, Edsa Shangri-La, Mandaluyong City.

Conceived to institutionalize public recognition for Filipino leaders and achievers aged 41 and above, the Tofil Awards honor individuals whose contributions significantly advance their fields, enrich public welfare and support national development.

First launched in 1988 by JCI Senate Philippines with the support of Insular Life, Tofil has become a respected annual tradition celebrating excellence anchored on integrity, perseverance and service.

This year’s awards were co-presented by the Ropali Group of Companies, continuing Tofil’s legacy of multisector partnership in honoring Filipino excellence.

2025 Tofil Awardees

The 2025 Tofil honorees, recognized across five categories, are:

• Academic Community–Maria Minerva Calimag

• Government Sector–Alfredo Pascual

• Nongovernment Organization / Civil Society–Neil Aldrin Mallari

• Private Sector–Rene Meily

• Past The Outstanding Young Men Honoree–Sen. Joseph Victor (JV) Ejercito

Board of Judges

The 2025 Tofil Awardees were selected by an independent Board of Judges chaired by Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario, with members Ambassador Rosario Manalo, Professional Regulation Commission Commissioner Louis Valera, Nona Ricafort and Enunina Mangio. The program notes that none of the judges are JCI members—underscoring the selection process’s independence and impartiality.

One of the honorees—Alfredo Pascual, recognized under the Government Sector category and known for his service as Secretary of Trade and Industry (2022 to 2024) and president of the University of the Philippines System (2011 to 2017)—reflected on the deeper meaning of the recognition.

“My award is given under the Government Sector category. But at its core, it speaks to something larger than any position or portfolio. It speaks to public trust,” he said.