Ang was chosen for his exemplary contributions to nation-building in the field of business/entrepreneurship.

The Junior Chamber International (JCI) yesterday named six contributors to business leadership, environment conservation, medicine, science, technology, agriculture and public service as The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awardees 2019.

Business mogul Ramon S. Ang, president and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), leads the distinguished roster of Outstanding Filipinos recognized by the JCI this year since it started to institutionalize the recognition in 1988.

The announcement was made after a rigorous search conducted by the TOFIL 2019 Awards, led by National Chairman JCI Sen. Melandrew T. Velasco and Board of Judges chairman Supreme Court Administrator Justice Jose Midas Marquez.

Joining Ang are Glenn S. Banaguas (Environment Conservation and Science Diplomacy); Dr. Joselito R. Chavez (Medicine); Virgilio L. Malang (Science and Technology); Legazpi City Mayor Noel E. Rosal (Government/Public Service); and Nelly Siababa-Aggangan (Agriculture).

Ang was chosen for his exemplary contributions to nation-building in the field of business/entrepreneurship.

He also steered SMC into becoming a diversified business conglomerate involved in banking, bulk water, cement, food, infrastructure, oil, property and transport industries.

Under his leadership, SMC has ventured into projects that benefitted the marginalized — giving back to the community — under its corporate social responsibility programs.

At present, Ang is also embarking on an airport project that aims to decongest air traffic in Metro Manila, including the construction of a new highway link that would make land travel from Metro Manila to the north faster.

He has been designated to deliver a Response and Acceptance speech on behalf of all the 2019 TOFIL awardees during the awarding ceremonies on 2 December at the Manila Hotel.

The winners will each receive a trophy designed and executed by National Artist for Visual Arts Napoleon Abueva.

The TOFIL trophy is a 27-inch sculpture of irregular polygonal form symbolizing the many sidedness of human endeavor, and its gradual narrowing top represents the pinnacle of achievement. Its wide base reflects solidity of purpose.

Aside from Justice Marquez, the members of the Board of Judges are TOFIL Foundation chairman JCI Sen. Rogelio “Bicbic” Garcia, JCISP president Domingo “Jun” O. Roque Jr., 2010 TOFIL awardee Shirley Halili-Cruz, and PCCI chairman Emeritus Dr. Francis Chua.

TOFIL Awards was conceived in 1988 to institutionalize public recognition of men and women, 41 years and over, whose exemplary achievements are worthy of emulation.

JCI Senate Philippines undertook the project first in collaboration with Insular Life.

Today, the project is being undertaken in cooperation with ANSA Foundation led by president Philip Nocom, as JCISP’s institutional partner since 2016.