‘40 under 40’ Filipino leaders to be cited

From a Cabinet member and a senatorial candidate to advocates for the environment and an actor-philanthropist, 40 young Filipinos are joining the ranks of the world’s emerging development leaders who are not quite 40 years old.

Thirty-six Filipinos and four Manila-based foreign development workers under the age of 40 will be recognized as the Philippines becomes the first emerging country to host “40 Under 40,” which is sponsored by the US-based Development Executive Group (Devex) which styles itself as “the Bloomberg of the development community.”

“40 Under 40,” which was held in Washington, DC, in 2010 and in London in 2011, brings together top young leaders in key cities with thriving multisectoral communities involved in various causes.

“The Philippines is home to an extremely dynamic and vibrant international development community driving change both at home and abroad,” said Pete Troilo, director of Devex’s Manila office, the organization’s operations hub.

“The young and committed development talent here deserve this recognition. We couldn’t be more proud to have selected the Philippines as the first emerging country to host this event,” said Troilo in a statement.

To be recognized during the “Manila 40 Under 40” awards night on Tuesday are a mix of young professionals in government, international aid agencies, media, civil society and nongovernment sector selected from some 250 nominations (full list here: manila40.devex.com).

“They join the distinguished ranks of past Devex 40 Under 40 winners such as US Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah, Cherie Blair Foundation for Women CEO Henriette Kolb, Google’s Jared Cohen and Obama administration senior foreign policy adviser Samantha Power,” said a Devex statement.

Filipino awardees include Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva, Julia Abad of the Presidential Management Staff, Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian, Sarangani Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez and senatorial candidate Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV.

Others to be cited from NGO and civil society movements include Anna Oposa, founder of the Save Philippine Seas Foundation; Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance convener Harvey Keh and actor Dingdong Dantes, founder of the education NGO YesPinoy Foundation.

Filipino leaders of international aid organizations chosen were Jimmy Loro, lead expert at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and Dulce Marie Saret, communications specialist at the Australian Agency for International Development.

Journalists Kara David of GMA 7 and Patricia Evangelista of ABS-CBN News are also among the awardees.