Jan Carlo B. Punongbayan, PhD is among the recipients of The Outstanding Young Men Awards 2023 (TOYM 2023).

TOYM 2023, with the theme Passionate Leaders Embracing Innovations, honored Punongbayan in the field of economics.

According to a Facebook post of TOYM Philippines, “These outstanding individuals have demonstrated unparalleled commitment, innovation, and leadership in their respective fields, embodying the spirit of positive change and progress. They have not only excelled in their fields but have also embraced innovation with passion, driving positive change in their communities and beyond.”

Punongbayan is an assistant professor at the UP Diliman (UPD) School of Economics (SE), teaching macroeconomics. He is the co-founder of the Usapang Econ, co-host of the Usapang Econ podcast, and a columnist at Rappler.

He is the author of the book False Nostalgia: The Marcos ‘Golden Age’ Myths and How to Debunk Them.

Punongbayan obtained his bachelor’s (summa cum laude), master’s, and doctoral degrees in economics from UPD in 2009, 2013, and 2021, respectively.

The TOYM awards were established in 1953 and organized and given by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines, with the support of the TOYM Foundation.

According to the JCI Philippines website the “TOYM award, formerly known as The Outstanding Young Filipinos, is an annual recognition of Filipinos between 18 and 40 years of age who have made significant contributions to their field or community.”