50 nominees
From July 2023 to January 2024, the nomination process, aided by district coordinators from all 10 Rotary districts in the country selected over 50 participants which later, through arduous work, were whittled down to a final 10 youth leader finalists with stellar leadership qualities. Winners from the district level were awarded P50,000 each and advanced to compete for the P300,000 grand prize. The nominating Rotary Clubs of the 10 finalists were also given P25,000 each.
At one point in the evening, PHYLA chairman Sid Garcia took the mike to say, “You are indeed worthy models of our youth, we are proud of each one of you and what you have achieved at such a young age; remember you are already winners,” as PHYLA finalists Kenneth Miranda, 26, from Bocaue, Bulacan; Ronalyn C. Lagata, 26, from Payatas, Quezon City; Joachim Sebastian S. Ridulme, 21, from Bantay, Ilocos Sur; Nicole Anne Z. Tiamzon, 21, from Taytay, Rizal; Rovin Jhon B. Cincollagas, 29, from Balingasa, Quezon City; Samuel C. Madriaga, 24, from San Pablo City, Laguna; Ariel Claveria, 29, from Las Piñas City; Amina Shayne B. Halil, 24, from Divisoria, Zamboanga City; Marvelous Dainty C. Camilo, 27, from Davao City; and Erickaye C. Villegas, 25, from Lapasan, Cagayan de Oro, rose from their seats to hearty applause. Then, the announcement of winners; first, a special award with P50,000 in cash, to Lagata, a beneficiary-turned leader of Fairplay for All Foundations, an NGO aimed at breaking the poverty cycle in Payatas through sports, education and development programs, followed by the naming of Halil from Zamboanga City — the third top finalist — with her mission to help build equitable and sustainable food systems ensuring food security and nutrition for chronically food insecure Filipinos. The third top award came with a P100,000 prize money.
