Two UP Diliman (UPD) professors, an indigenous peoples’ rights lawyer and the first Filipino to reach the Earth’s third deepest point, were conferred with The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) 2025 award.
Raymond Marvic C. Baguilat of the UPD College of Law and Deo Florence L. Onda, PhD of the UPD College of Science were two of four recipients awarded in the ceremony held on Jan. 22 at Kalayaan Hall in Malacañan Palace.
Concurrently serving as head legal officer of the UP Institute of Human Rights and program head of the Indigenous Peoples Law and Policy Program, Baguilat was recognized for his “sustained, principled work advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples through law, policy, and education” whose “advocacy is deeply rooted in his lived experience and activism, shaping a career that bridges legal scholarship with community-based service,” according to the UP Institute of Human Rights Facebook page.
A professor at the UP Marine Science Institute, Onda made history as the first Filipino to reach the Emden Deep in the West Philippine Sea, an achievement he utilized to champion Philippine sovereignty in the country’s archipelagic waters.
Onda was also cited for his “pioneering research on marine plastic pollution and microbial ecology” and work on “educating communities through science roadshows and building research laboratories.” He is the TOYM awardee for pure sciences and mathematics.
According to TOYM’s website, the award is an annual national recognition given to Filipinos between 18 and 40 years of age “who have made significant contributions to their field or community.”
The TOYM award is organized yearly by the Junior Chamber International Philippines, Inc. with support from the TOYM Foundation, as well as other partners and stakeholders.